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Tates Creek Animal Hospi-tales
Secondhand smoke threatens pet health
too!
Secondhand smoke has been associated with oral cancer
and lymphoma in cats, lung and nasal cancer in dogs, as well
as lung cancer in birds.
A recent study by Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine
at Tufts University found a strong correlation between secondhand
smoke and certain cancers.
Cats constantly licking themselves while grooming
pick up cancer-causing carcinogens that accumulate on their
fur. There is also a increase in nasal and sinus tumors
in dogs. In shorter nosed dogs there was a higher rate for
lung cancer also. Secondhand smoke is dangerous to pets as
well as humans. One more reason to quit smoking.
Take the BARC quiz
The BARC (Body Assessment Rating for Canines) quiz is a great
way to check your dog’s feeding and exercise habits.
- Is your dog a breed that is prone to obesity such as
retriever, beagle, basset hound, cocker spaniel, dachshund,
sheltie, or terrier?
- 2. Do you have a multi-dog household? (Dogs in multi-households
tend to eat more and faster than those in one-dog household.)
- Is your dog over 5 years old AND still being fed the
same type and amount of food as when he/she was younger?
- Feel your dog’s ribs. Do you find it difficult to determine
where one rib ends and one begins?
- Stand at your dog’s side and look at the tuck-up-the
belly area between the ribcage and hindquarters. Is the
body more square-shaped in this area?
- Do you regularly feed your dog table scraps and/or multiple
non-meal treats each day?
- When you feed your dog, do you just pour the food into
the bowl rather than giving a specific measured amount
each time?
- Does your dog have difficulty standing up
or jumping on the couch?
- Does your pet get less than 20-30 minutes per day of
outside exercise/play time?
What is your score?
1-3 yes: There is a low risk that your dog may be overweight.
4-6 yes: Your dog may be overweight or living the lifestyle
that could lead to becoming overweight.
7-9 yes: Your dog is at a very high risk for being overweight
or obese. Please come in to discuss an action plan for you
dog.
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Do our dogs love us?
Recently the staff of TCAH was asked an important question: Do our dogs love
us and if they do how do we know?
Amanda, one of our vet techs, says, “ I think dogs love us because of how
we interact with them on a daily basis. I know my dog, Abby, she loves me
in her own way. I can tell she loves me because she follows me around the
house, loves to be next to me on the couch or in the bed, and enjoys going
places with me, even if it is “boring” to her. Do I think dogs “love” us
like we love them? No. But in the dog world the leader of the pack gets respect
from the other members. Respect means loyalty, which to dogs means love.”
Dr. McClain believes: The conscious decision to extend oneself for the growth
of another. If we use this definition of
love than our pets will fall short. However, for those of us that think of loyalty,
affection, attention, unconditional forgiveness as demonstrations of love than
our pets receive the highest of grades. We can always count on our pets being
happy to see us at the end of the day. can’t always say that about our spouses,
children or friends. Therefore I choose to believe that our pets do in fact love
us.
Cathy, Practice Manager, wraps it up on one quote on love: Love is patient, love
is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude,
it is not self-seeking. It is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects,
always trust, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
I Corinthians 13:4-8 “Sounds a lot like my pooches.”
New AAHA and AAFP Feline Health Guideline.
We at TCAH have always brought up to date technology, high
quality healthcare and informative and educational pet care
to you our clients, friends and fellow pet lovers.
January 2008 new vaccination guidelines for Feline Leukemia
vaccines for feline patients were published. TCAH is maintaining
our promise to educate you and protect your cat. We will
now be vaccinating for Feline Leukemia virus during the kitten
visits and then at one year of age. As long as your cat is
a completely indoor cat, he/she will no longer be boostered.
New kittens or cats brought into the house should be quarantined
and tested for Feline Leukemia before allowing free roam of
the house. |
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