Spring 2005 Newsletter

Like humans, if a dog or cat is overweight, it greatly increases their health risks for many diseases. Insulin-dependent diabetes is a common disease in overweight dogs and cats. Heart disease is more common and more severe in overweight pets. The impact of excess weight on aging bones and joints is significant. Like humans, a weight reduction program must be carefully planned and requires a commitment from the entire family.

First of all you must honestly determine if your pet is overweight (or ask one of our trained staff members). Next, make an appointment with one of our veterinarians to be sure there is no underlying health issue that will complicate a diet or exercise. Our staff will be happy to make diet recommendations including amounts to feed and what target to realistically set. Generally a good goal is to aim for 1-2% of the body weight per week.

Keep a diet journal for your dog or cat, and feel free to bring your pet into our office every 3-4 weeks for an accurate weighing on a professional scale.

Eliminate or reduce snacks to speed up the weight loss process. Instead of 3 or 4 whole treats at a time give three or four pieces of a treat. We have a great low calorie snack called PupCorn that dogs and cats love! Or you can use broccoli, green beans or carrots for a treat.

You must make a commitment to exercise your pet. Make sure you tailor your expectations to your lifestyle so that you do not become frustrated. Above all, make it fun for your pet. A walk around the block or a few throws of a ball or Frisbee done routinely will help a lot. For a cat you can use a laser light or feathers attached to a pole to get them up and moving. Remember, any exercise is more than they get laying there!

Please take this chance to look at your best friend and remember you are responsible for the amount of food, type of food and amount of exercise your dog or cat gets. Being overweight is hard on your pet’s health and will shorten their lifespan. Commit to change it today! We’ll help!

Spay Day is a nationally recognized effort by The Doris Day Animal Foundation to educate the public on the importance of spaying and neutering pets. In the United States it is estimated eight to ten million cats and dogs are euthanized each year at Humane Societies and shelters. This staggering figure does not include the millions that are abandoned or dumped and become the victims of starvation, disease, automobiles or other animals. There simply are not enough good homes for all the puppies and kittens born each year. New Hope Animal Hospital proudly supports Spay Day USA and actively participates in the education of all pet owners of the benefit of spaying and neutering pets. In addition to not contributing to the overpopulation problem, there are so many health benefits to the pet that is spayed or neutered. Our motivation is our love of dogs and cats.

On Saturday, February 26^th, New Hope Animal Hospital participated in Spay Day by spaying or neutering over 30 pets of low-income families at no charge. Our staff donated their time and skill to help make a difference in the problem of pet over population, which leads to the euthanasia of millions each year. These pets might not otherwise have the surgery required to prevent unwanted and unneeded litters and help maintain their own health and longevity. Our Saturday was full and fun, and the benefit of our coordinated time and effort helped so many animals. Every litter does count!

We are excited to announce Dr. Elizabeth Carender joined our staff on February 28^th. She is a 2003 University of Illinois graduate with the enthusiasm, knowledge and dedication we look for in a colleague. After graduating Dr. Carender practiced veterinary medicine in Ft. Smith gaining experience and confidence in her profession. She is excited to join our practice and will provide high quality veterinary care to all our patients. She is recently married and shares her home with a cat named Mango (and more to come we hope!) We invite you to come meet her anytime and share our New Hope welcome!

Dr. Nancy Belknap, Dr. Caran Stouffer, Dr. Lori Brown, and office manager Tommie Whitaker attended the Western States Veterinary Conference in Las Vegas from February 20^th through the 24^th. This is the largest veterinary conference in the world with over 6,000 veterinarians attending to learn from the more than 300 expert speakers. It was very educational and inspiring for these staff members as we keep current in the latest in veterinary medicine.

Our sixth annual Open House will be Sunday, May 15 from 1-3 p.m. We always welcome the opportunity to educate and excite our clients about pets with educational displays and a look behind the doors at our hospital. This year our theme is “Animals Helping Us” and our focus will be on the multitude of ways pets enrich our lives and assist our needs. We will have door prizes and goody bags for everyone. Join us for food, fun and education!

FELINE INFORMATION

WEBSITE FOR INDOOR CAT OWNERS

The Indoor Cat Initiative was created to enrich the lives of indoor cats. Something the founders of this website believe is as important as an excellent diet and health care. This website provides a host of useful information, including such details as what it means to be a cat (a solitary hunter of small prey), tips on things indoor cats need (perches and toys) and ways to make your cat more comfortable when stress occurs (hiding places during thunderstorms). For more information visit the Indoor Cat Initiative website at www.nssvet.org/ici/index.php

PREVENTING FELINE IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) causes a fatal viral disease known as feline AIDS that interferes with a cat’s immune system. Spread primarily through bite wounds, cats that carry the virus in their blood have been known to remain healthy for years before showing signs of illness. However, when signs of the disease begin to show – loss of appetite, diarrhea, lethargy, fever, sores in and around the mouth and a dull, and lifeless hair coat – they are often due to chronic bacterial and fungal infections. FIV infection often leads to death because the immune system becomes too weak to fight off infection and other disease.

The best way to prevent FIV infection is to keep your kitty inside and away from outdoor cats. If you’re planning to have a new cat join your household, have it tested before the resident cat is exposed.

Gastrafate is an old medicine in a new form and we are excited about it. It is an emulsified suspension of Sucralfate, which is used to decrease irritation of the gastrointestinal tract. Veterinarians use sucralfate for ulcers, inflammatory bowel disease, hyperacidity, and as a protectant for the gastrointestinal tract. Because of its’ form Gastrafate works faster, covers and protects the raw irritated lining of the gut better, and neutralizes acid instantly. And it is a liquid, which makes dosing and administration to our pets easier. We have been using it for over a month and are very happy and excited about the response in our patients.

Clicker Training Catches On!

Clicker training is a scientific method of animal training based on the positive reinforcement of a marker signal (clicker) to tell the animal when it is doing the behavior that will pay off with a reward (treat or toy). It was first widely used by dolphin trainers who needed a way to teach their dolphins a behavior from a distance and without using force (there is no way to force a dolphin!). It has been ‘out there’ for years. It is used successfully on dogs, cats, birds, horses and even people.

I personally was uninterested in clicker training fearing I did not have the coordination needed and knowing I had trained dogs for years without one. But the enthusiasm of clicker friends caught on and so I tried it. The first step was learning more about it and a website called clickertraining.com was a great first stop. This site is full of information including books and clickers for sale. I ordered a starter book and a clicker. After skimming the book, I got started.

Guess what? Clicker training is fun and easy and my dogs love it! While basic commands are easily taught with conventional training, more demanding tricks are made easy with the clicker. It is important you know how and when to use the clicker, so please learn more about it before you just get one and click whenever. Several short sessions (5-10 minutes) each day pay off. Complicated tricks like the pet actors on TV are within your reach! It is a fast and easy way to get the behavior you want. I am now a clicker training enthusiast. Give it a try and have fun with your pet! -Dr. Nancy

According to a recent American Animal Hospital Association survey of over 1,200 member clients if pet owners were deserted on an island and could have only one companion, 40% would pick a dog and 10% would opt for a cat. Only 47% would prefer a human as a fellow castaway. In the same survey 93% of pet owners answered that they would be somewhat to very likely to risk their own lives for their pets. And 69% of pet owners break house hold rules about their pets – such as letting them on the bed – when their spouse or significant other isn’t around. The bond that forms is undeniable and regular health check ups and screening examinations can keep your pet as your best friend even longer!

Right in line with our devotion is the need for proper health care as our dogs and cats become seniors. The American Animal Hospital Association has just announced the completion of the Senior Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats. These guidelines are intended to enhance the well-being of pets age seven and older and will be available at New Hope Animal Hospital in March. The goal of the guidelines is to promote the detection of disease in senior pets and to outline common clinical conditions and aspects of screening, diagnosis, treatment, anesthesia, pain management and surgery that are designed for them. We are excited to read the guidelines and help keep our senior patients healthier and happier even longer!

Schering-Plough the manufacturers of HomeAgain microchips will be introducing a new microchip that reads a companion animal’s temperature and identifies its owner and address as early as June 2005. These microchips have been available in the United Kingdom since February 2005. Scanners for consumer use will be available for about $100. These scanners will read HomeAgain and AVID microchips. Since temperature is a leading sign of an animal’s general health, this is another innovation to keep our pets healthy and happy.

Dislaimer: Publication in this newsletter of any article, product information, or other information does not imply that New Hope Animal Hospital endorses or approves the product, service or author’s viewpoints. Neither this publication nor New Hope Animal Hospital in any way endorses or guarantees the accuracy, reliability, nor completeness of the facts, views, opinions, recommendations, information or statements contained in this newsletter.

LABRADOR RETRIEVERS	DACHSHUNDS
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COCKER SPANIELS	COLLIES
SHETLAND SHEEPDOGS	BASSET HOUNDS