June 21, 2010

A Client Asks:

I’ve been noticing a lot more ticks around lately.  What do I do if I find one on my dog?

Our Response:

Our area is simply a hot bed for ticks.  Many of us find them annoying and creepy, and they can spread disease.  Products such as Frontline or Advantix can help by, for instance, killing a tick that bites before it can transmit certain diseases.

However, you may still find ticks either near or on your dog.  One of the easiest ways to “dispose” of a tick in your home is to flush it down the toilet.  You can’t squash or crush them, so you want to be sure that you really have gotten rid of them.

If you find that the tick is already embedded in the skin, it is important that you remove the entire tick.  Often, the simplest and most effective way to do so is to use tweezers that you have cleaned with alcohol to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible.  Pull firmly and swiftly, much like you might tweeze an eyebrow hair.  If you are too jerky in your movements, of if you grip too far back on the tick’s body, then you may break the head off under your dog’s skin.  Tick saliva is what transmits disease, and if left in the skin, the head can also cause infection simply by being a foreign body presence.  With mild soap and warm water, clean and rinse the area thoroughly after tick removal.

It is also important to note that, while much emphasis is placed on the deer ticks in our area, their transmission of Lyme disease is not the only concern.  There are actually many species of tick in the Metro area (and beyond), and they can pass along diseases such as Ehrlichia, Anaplasmosis, and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.  Some signs of these illnesses include lethargy, joint pain, and loss of appetite.  Should you notice any of these symptoms during the days or weeks after tick exposure, call the vet for an appointment right away.  Unfortunately, you may not even notice symptoms for months after exposure, so preventive products and careful fur and skin checks after outside time are key.

If you are uncomfortable or unsure with tick removal, our technicians can help you out.  Just give us a call so that you can come in and have our staff remove and dispose of the tick for you.  And if you have any suspicions or worries that your pet may have contracted a tick-borne illness, don’t hesitate to give us a call.  We can be reached at (703) 723-1017.

                  August 25, 2010 addendum:

                     Check out this article from Virginia Living for more information about ticks in our area:

                        http://www.virginialiving.com/articles/little-suckers 

July 14, 2010

A Client asks:

We would like to bring our dog along on the family vacation this summer.  What do we need to know or do in order to bring him with us?

Our Response:

What fun!  It seems like our pets can use the occasional vacation from life’s everyday stresses, too!

First off, find out if your lodgings truly are pet-friendly.  Even hotels that label themselves as such can have breed or size restrictions, so book your trip carefully!  Depending on where you’re going and how you’re getting there, the preparation can vary greatly.  Usually, just a bit of internet research or a phone call can help you and your veterinarian determine if your destination region may present risks to your dog that are not covered by his current vaccines or preventatives.  If you’re traveling via airplane or train, your air or rail carrier may also have certain requirements.  Look into this as early as possible.  A vaccine may be necessary a few weeks ahead of time, or the carrier may want to see test results within just a few days of travel.  You’ll provide proof of needed vaccines, tests, and preventatives with an Interstate or International Health Certificate, provided by your vet in an office visit; again, your destination and/or carrier can let you know of their Health Certificate time frame parameters.  And even if you’re only driving, if you will cross a state line, you should have a current Interstate Health Certificate with you to show that your pet should not pose a public health risk.  But no matter how you’ll travel, be sure to have a copy or two of your dog’s vaccine, testing, and preventative records with you, along with the name and number of your vet.  Additionally, know where to find a local animal hospital or pet emergency facility in case your pet needs medical attention during your trip.

Just as you want to enjoy all the comforts of home even while on the road, your pet will feel safer and more at ease with as much familiarity as possible.  Pack your dog’s normal food and treats, and bring along his regular food and water bowls if you can.  Don’t forget whatever medications or supplements that may be part of his routine.  Can you bring his bed, or even just a blanket from home?  How about a favorite toy or pillow?

You want to ensure that the travel itself is safe and comfortable, too.  If you know that your pet is prone to anxiety or motion-sickness, talk to your vet about appropriate methods to address these concerns.  Also, make sure that the kennel or carrier used for transport is airline- or railway-approved and of appropriate size.  Ideally, you would like your pet to have the ability to stand up and turn around and to have access to clean water in a carrier, but you’ll need to check with your airline or railway in regards to their regulations.  If you’re driving and your pet is too big for a carrier in the car, get a seatbelt harness to help protect him during sudden braking or an accident.

You can also click to see our website's section on "Traveling with Your Pet."  To discuss your pet’s specific needs and/or to set up an appointment, please give us a call at (703) 723-1017.  Enjoy your vacation with your entire family!

August 19, 2010

A Client Asks:

My cat hates her carrier, car rides, and the vet’s office.  What can I do to make her vet visits easier—on her and me?

Our Response:

Doctor visits can be stressful for anyone, but kudos to you for still recognizing the importance of regular veterinary exams for your frightened kitty!

To start, though she seems to hate her carrier, this is really the safest way for her to travel.  If she is loose in the car or just held in your arms in the veterinary office, she is at risk of injury, or she may get free and run off.  One tactic you can try is to make the carrier a part of everyday life.  Consider it a “den” or bed area, and maybe even periodically give her treats if she ventures in.  If the carrier is accessible all the time and you reward and encourage your cat as she “hangs out” or sleeps there, it may not be so menacing the next time you need her to get in it for travel.

If your kitty is comfy in the carrier, then car rides in it may also become less traumatic.  If she has a favorite bed or blanket that will fit in the bottom of the carrier, let her have that familiarity with her.  And keep her safety in mind.  There are carriers that can be buckled into seatbelts, and all carriers may be safest in the middle of the backseat, just like child car seats.  If motion sickness seems to be the issue, talk to your vet about methods or medications that could help your cat specifically.

Once you arrive at the animal hospital, consider placing a towel over the carrier to block some of the noise and keep the front of the carrier turned away from other animals if you know that this contact is stressful for your cat.  Speak in soft, encouraging tones; the veterinary team should follow your lead here.  If your kitty is treat-driven, reward her when she is calm, and use the treats to coax her out of the carrier in the exam room.  Pet her and keep that familiar blanket or bed close by when you can.  When the time comes for the technician and doctor to do their work, allow them to hold and restrain her.  If she panics, she may lash out even at you just because she is upset.  Sometimes it helps if the veterinary team takes her to a back treatment area where they may have more room, a quieter space, or an extra team member to help things go more quickly and smoothly.  Don’t be alarmed if the staff needs to scruff your cat or use a “cat muzzle.”  Scruffing mimics the way that a mother cat carries her kittens, so it generally signals to a cat to hold still and stay calm.  Cat “muzzles” are actually soft and mask-like, covering the cat’s eyes because they may not fear what they can’t see.  All of the above techniques are meant to protect both your kitty and the veterinary staff.

In some cases of fear or aggression, your vet may suggest other methods to keep your cat restrained and calm.  To address any further concerns, a consult appointment may be in order—with or without your cat present.  If you feel you cat needs such further attentions, of if you would like to get more information or schedule an appointment, please give us a call at (703) 723-1017.  Though your cat may be anxious, she’ll surely thank you for being so attentive to her health!