October 2023 Newsletter
Call to Action:
One of our very own LVTs, Alyssa, is working on obtaining her MS in Applied Animal Behavior and Welfare and will be performing a study on stress in dogs having their blood drawn in the veterinary hospital this fall. She is looking for 40 dogs to participate and needs some dedicated volunteers who meet the following criteria:
Dogs aged between 2-10 years
Generally healthy and living in the current home for at least 6 months
Due for bloodwork during the study period (roughly September 2023 through January 2024)
Not currently on any medications (other than flea/tick/heartworm preventative) and does not require pre-visit medications for stress and anxiety in the hospital
Chronic Apoquel or NSAID use is also okay!
The purpose of this study is to assess dogs’ physiological and behavioral response to stress experienced in the veterinary hospital when having blood drawn, and also to assess the validity of the Fear Free™ Fear, Anxiety, and Stress (FAS) Scale.
If you are interested in volunteering to participate in this study and want more information, please complete this consent form and Alyssa will be in touch with more detailed information and scheduling options!
**As extra incentive, Alyssa can offer $20 off heartworm tests - with the tech appointment fee waived if the heartworm testing would’ve otherwise been performed during an annual visit**
Cold & Flu Season - Not Just for Humans
We’re all familiar with the time of year when everyone starts sniffling and sneezing just a bit more - some call it a cold, some say a bug, others just blame the weather changing.
But what about our dogs? Can they get sick too? The short answer is yes! While it may not be the same virus or infection we experience, dogs too can “catch a cold” though it is referred to as Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex which is a cluster of many different cold and flu-like diseases exclusive to dogs.
Check out this article for information on how/where your dog can get infected and a new preventative treatment option for oral administration - which CAC does carry!
How to Safely Medicate Your Pet
It’s not always pleasant - having to medicate your pet - whether pills, liquids, or injections, our pets often don’t want them! However, safely and properly medicating your pet is extremely important to their health, safety, and FAS levels. So, how do you medicate a pet who doesn’t want the meds? In whatever way is the most easy and free of stress as possible for your pet - and you!
The good news is there is no one right way - the bad news is, it may take trial and error to find what works best for you and your pet. Check out this article for suggestions on giving your pet both pills and liquid medications! Ultimately, if it works for you and your pet, the medication makes it safely into the pet’s body, and no harm comes to the pet or owner it can be considered a win!
DVM Blog Post Highlight - Cytology Vs. Histopathy
In this month’s DVM Blog post, Dr. Tanner dives into the world of lumps and bumps! While some on an active pet are to be expected, any new bumps should be examined by a doctor; sometimes, the new bumps are nothing more than a bug bite, a skin infection, or something minor… other times, your veterinarian may recommend follow up tests such as cytology (via fine needle aspiration, skin scrape, impression smear, or swabbing) and/or histopathology (via biopsy). But what’s the difference?!
In her article, Dr. Tanner reviews what a Cytology and Histopathology are, the differences between them, and what the process looks like!
Fear Free Tip of the Month
While you may go to a Fear-free practice, implore Fear-free techniques, and stay up to date on the FAS (Fear, Anxiety, Stress) levels, signs, and treatments you may still find your pet stressed, anxious, or fearful. So what else can be done? Assessing your own FAS levels! Our pets can sense and feel all our emotions, nerves, anxieties, and fears and reflect those back in their own behaviors. Take a look at this article for more info on how this can be harmful to your pet, tips to self-assess, and patterns/signs to recognize in your pet!