November 2023 Newsletter
Holiday Closures
Please review the below dates for CAC holiday closures in the next two months — if CAC is closed and your pet needs medical care, please visit our website for local Urgent Cares and Emergency Centers.
November 23rd — Closed for Thanksgiving
CAC is not scheduling any International Health Certificate appointments from November 20th–25th
emails and inquiries will be responded to on/after 11/27
December 23rd–25th—Closed for Christmas
December 30–January 1st—Closed for New Years
Signs of Fear, Stress, and Anxiety - Recognizing FAS Levels
Pets may be unable to speak words to us, but they still definitely communicate! Whether they’re happy, hungry, or sleepy, we, as pet owners, know how to read our pets and what they’re trying to convey to us. But what about when they’re scared, stressed, or anxious? Those signs may not always be as easy to read to the untrained eye.
Check out this article for ways to identify causes of anxiety, signs of stress, separation issues, as well as fear and fear-aggression. Just because we can’t have a conversation with our pets doesn’t mean we can’t listen to their bodies, mannerisms, and responses!
Mine! How to Handle Resource Guarding
It’s often seen as cute and playful when a dog protects their favorite toy, “hides” their food to keep it for themselves, or maybe even snatches a treat mid-air before their “sibling” can get it. However, these acts can take a dangerous turn as the pet can develop “Resource Guarding” behaviors — which refers to a pet perceiving a threat to a resource they value and displaying behaviors designed to keep others, such as another pet or a person, away from that resource.
While preventing the development of these behaviors is the first important step — such as using desensitization and counterconditioning with high-value items such as food, toys, and treats — it is also important to have the knowledge of how to intervene safely when it has already begun. Take a look at this article for ways to resolve a resource-guarding situation “in the moment” and minimize risks and potential injuries to people and pets.
DVM Blog Post Highlight - Keeping the Pancreas Peppy During the Holiday Season
In this month’s DVM Blog post, Dr. Fitzgerel reviews the importance of not setting a place for your pet at the Thanksgiving table… or dropping scraps when no one is looking. Despite being family, our pets aren’t actually humans, and their systems and organs can’t handle the same high-fat diet we can.
While there are several reasons not to feed your pet human foods, Dr. Fitzgerel uses this opportunity to focus on the effect these foods can have on the pancreas and the dangers they can lead to.
Fear Free Tip of the Month
While most of us are excited for the holidays — good food, celebrations, and time with friends and family — our pets may not be.
Even small changes to your pet’s routines can cause fear, anxiety, and stress; pair that with multiple house guests, loud sounds and music, and new, strange decor and your pet may seem like a bit of Grinch instead of a welcoming host.
So how do you prepare? Check out this article for 7 tips on how to prepare your pet, home, and expectations for holiday visits.