Wags-n-

Wellness ™

ALERTS:

Excess exposure to winter weather conditions may result in severe physical stress. Conditions with temperatures below 50 degrees in some short coat or 'no' coat pets, or in low windchill indexes conditions may result in hypothermia, frost bite, and potential permanent physical damage.

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The Winter Transition

Here we go again! After a relatively pleasant Summer and Fall we are experiencing the transition to winter. Some pets have significant stress associated with the transition. Indoor pets with short jaunts to the outdoors may experience hypothermia as well and frost bite in a very short period of time when temperatures begin to decline. Though we have relatively mild winter conditions always be aware of the changes coming. During a very short period the weather may change from a balmy 60 degrees to below 32 degrees. From the time we leave in the morning until we arrive home in the late afternoon or early evening our pets may be exposed to severe weather changes. Be aware of the potentials and provide adequate shelter conditions to accomodate these changes.

Our furry friends need to have shelter, especially those with short coats. When pets go outdoors during freezing conditions it is imperative to be sure they have protective shelters, adequate sources of thawed water, and a source of heat adequate for the coat condition and the weather conditions. Change outdoor water daily. Be sure it does not freeze. Do not allow pets to stay out for extended periods in temperatures below 50 degrees unless they have adequate coats and shelter. Pets with medical conditions related to the heart or respiratory systems need to be protected during even mild inclement weather. Do not leave pets in a parked unattended vehicle.

 Do not place pets with tropical or subtropical environmental conditions outdoors during the weather months. Be sure you have arranged for adequate conditions in cases of extended power outages. Seek medical attention for weather related injury as soon as possible. Our pets rely completely on us for their health care needs.

In addition, don’t forget to address flea and tick control as well as heartworm prevention. The number fleas and ticks drasitically decrease during the winter months but may still be present in adequate numbers to transmit disease and cause anemia. Flea and tick populations generally peak in the very late summer and early Fall months. However, indoor infestation must also be considered during the winter months.

 Keep all pesticide and rodenticides out of reach of your pets and follow label instructions when applying various products in your environment.  Heartworm and flea and tick prevention as well as elimination and treatment of the agents are addressed in several brochures available at the office. Please contact office personnel for copies.

 “Wags-n-Weight” ™

If Fido is getting teased at Obedience class there may be an “unhealthy” reason. Not that Fido is really all that vain about his size, but obesity can lead to serious health problems for our pets. Some studies indicate that between 40 and 70 percent of our pets are overweight. In most instances measures can be taken to get the pounds off and keep them off. Fido doesn’t really understand the fast food commercials. Nor is he fooled by the delicious advertising of capitalistic food manufacturers. He relies totally on his guardian to provide an appropriate diet.

Serious heart, liver, kidney, and skeletal damage occur in the overweight pet. As pets age the potential for problems escalates.

We can help you with appropriate weight loss and weight management programs.  In some instances blood tests are necessary to provide information about organ function and health before starting some pets on weight loss programs. In addition, older pets may have organ function deficits as a result of aging. Help us help Fido overcome the potential health issues associated with excess weight problems.

Wags-n-Weight™ programs are customized for your pet. They include initial physical and blood chemistry evaluation for baseline values to insure there are no significant pre-existing conditions.

Sam

 Insecticides and Rodenticide toxicity

Home invasions of unwelcome rodents are a problem in the summer months. This is just a reminder to keep rodenticides and insecticides out of pets’ reach. Pets are poisoned by ingesting many of the poisons used for such things as insects and rodents you may find “undesirable”. The ingestion of a deceased rodent poisoned with baits can be toxic. Please use caution when placing insecticides and rodenticides in the environment. Use mouse and rat bates with extreme caution.

Gastroenteritis

At the least, this is an annoying situation for our four footed friends. There are numerous reasons why this occurs. Ingestion of undigestable foreign materials, toxins, poisons, food products, and other issues result in gastroenteritis. Many problems are induced by feeding foods which pets are not accustomed to eating or foods to which pets become intolerant. Aging animals as well as those with pancreatic issues become more prone to problems associated with improper diet. I highly recommend that our pets primarily be fed foods specific for their consumption. Special diets are available for pets with specific organ system compromise as well as those with sensitive digestive systems.

I recommend that you do not feed any pork products, bones, or uncooked table foods to pets. Avoid feeding leftovers and products discarded from the refrigerator. High fat products, bones, as well as various spicy items may cause upset stomachs or diarrhea. Please be cautious with your pets’ diets. They may enjoy the change or the tasty “treat” but it may have undesirable results!

Wags-n-Wellness Life Care ™

The “Wags-n-Wellness” ™ programs will be introduced in January. These programs are to assist you in determining and providing the optimum care for your pets’ life style, condition, and age. The programs will address issues such as weight loss, weight management, preventative health care, life stages care, appropriate diagnostics, monitoring, and other related normal life cycle changes. In pet medicine, the emphasis on healthy life style, healthy diet, appropriate prevention, and monitoring will enhance longevity and quality of life.

For you, pet preventative medicine and life style can prevent 50 to 70% of the medical problems which evolve in a pet’ s lifetime.

 We are here to assist you in providing for the healthy long life for your pets.

Your pets depend on you.

Dr Jorgensen and Staff

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Note: Trademarks:

The following trademarks may be used in this other correspondence or communications. These trademarks are business related trademarks of James R Jorgensen DVM

Wags-n-Wellness ™, Petwellvip™, Wags-n-Weight™, Wags-n-Wellness Canine Life-Stage Programs™, Wags-n-Wellness Feline Life-Stage Programs™, Wags-n-Wellness Life Care™, Wags-n-Wellness: Pets Only ™, Wags-n-Wellness: Tails Only™,  Wags-n-Wellness: Choices for the Good Life™.

Heritage Plaza Animal Hospital

Midwest City, Oklahoma

737-4000

James R Jorgensen DVM