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| Belleview Animal Clinic Newsletter |
Summer Safety Issue
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July 2010
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Where does the summer go!? I hope all of you are enjoying a safe and fun season with your pets. We wanted to share some information to help keep your pets healthy and happy during the summer. This time of year can bring on issues such as thunderstorm and firework anxiety, overheating, and wildlife encounters. Feel free to contact us whenever you have questions or concerns about your pet - we are here to help! As always, thank you for your support and trust in our clinic.
Judy Jasek, DVM
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Ask Doctor Krause
 Dear Doctor Krause,
I'm new to the clinic and interested in Acupuncture, but am not sure if my cat needs it or not. How do I know if Acupuncture would help her?
-Recent New Client
Acupuncture can aid in treatment of almost all disease and disorders. I have seen animals benefit from acupuncture with joint pain, organ disease (liver, kidney), gastrointestinal disease, anxiety, aggression, diabetes, itchy skin and allergies, auto-immune disease, injuries and much more.
Many animals will show improvement after their first visit and for others it may take 3-5 visits. There is a small group, approximately 10%, that show no benefit from acupuncture. If you think that your animal may benefit from acupuncture and have more questions, please call the office at (303) 794-2008.
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Contact Us |
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Dr. Judy Jasek
Dr. Angie Krause
200 W. Lehow Ave.
Englewood, Colorado 80110
303-794-2008
Email
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Dr. Jasek's Travel Tips:
Most pets love to come along on car rides. However, trips can cause anxiety in some cases, especially if:
- Your pet does not get out much - this is especially true for cats.
- There is a history of a bad experience such as a car accident, or going unfavorable places
- Sometimes pets just get so excited to go out, they work themselves into a frenzy
Luckily there are great natural options to help keep your furry friend calm! The following are two options that can be purchased from Belleview Animal Clinic Directly:
Flower essences, which are created from the flowering part of the plant, are used to treat emotions and can help calm your pet. Rescue Remedy is a popular commercial product that can be purchased at many retail stores. Since every pet has a different constitution, here at the clinic we may be able to help your pet further by building a formula customized to your pet's personality and background. Flower essences are effective in both dogs and cats. (Scroll down for this month's special offer!)
Essential oils are another plant product produced by distilling various parts of the plant. There are many uses of essential oils, and treating the emotional state is one of the most popular. This is also sometimes referred to as aromatherapy. Oils vary tremendously in quality and purity. Some commercial products may even contain toxic petroleum products, and may not be effective. We use only the highest quality oils in the formulas we create for your pet. Please keep in mind that these oils are not recommended for use in cats.
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Overheating: Don't Sweat It!
With summer here and the warm sunny days coming everyday, we all want to enjoy fun
in the sun with our four-legged family members. Going to the dog park, out on hikes, and long walks are a great way to enjoy the summer days while they last. But with all the fun in the sun also comes the dangers of the heat to our beloved furry friends. While we love to take out friends everywhere we are going, the summer heat packs a deadly punch if our pets are left in the car.
A car can turn into an oven in a very short time. With an outside temperature of 95 degrees, with the windows closed, the inside temperature can reach 149 degrees in 15 minutes. Even with the windows cracked the inside of a car can raise 45 degrees within 60 minutes, for example, with the outside temperature being 71 degrees within 60 minutes the inside temperature can reach a deadly 116 degrees. For our furry family members a simple quick trip into the grocery store can be life threatening.
Dogs do not have the ability to take their sweaters off when they become to hot, and they also do not have the ability to sweat. So, when we are taking the much needed time with or companions just remember, that a quick trip home to drop them off before going to the store or grabbing coffee makes all the difference in the well being of your beloved best friend.
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More Summer Safety Resources:
Fourth of July fireworks can frighten pets, and that fear can cause a dog or cat to panic and try to escape the confines of a yard or even the house. To help protect pets during the July 4 holiday, the Dumb Friends League advises... [Click here to read more]
2. Protect Your Pet From Hot Weather
To protect your pet from hot weather hazards, please follow these tips... [Click here to read more]
3. Pet Care Tips During Summer Months
The following are helpful tips to pet owners offered by veterinarians at Colorado State University's Veterinary Teaching Hospital.... [Click here to read more]
4. Summer Care Tips for You and Your Pets
Summer is a time for both you and your pet to enjoy the sunshine and outdoors, but along with the fun, the season also offers up situations that can endanger your pet. By taking precautions, you can decrease the chance that disaster will happen. The HSUS offers these tips for pet owners to keep their furry friends safe this summer... [Click here to read more]
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Rattlesnakes in Colorado: What you need to know
Rattlesnakes are a real risk to pets that go outdoors in Colorado. Snakes in general are most active during moderate temperatures (not too hot or too cold), and are common along the front range of Colorado. Of the 25 species of snakes that call Colorado home, only two are poisonous, the western rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis) and the massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus). While the western rattlesnake appears in most habitats throughout the state, it is found less often in higher altitudes. In contrast, the massasauga is limited to the southeastern grasslands of Colorado.
The Western Rattlesnake (Crotalus Viridis)
The Massasauga (Sistrurus Catenatus)
Poisonous snakes have several characteristics that distinguish them from non-poisonous snakes. If you come into contact with one, look for the following:
1. Rattles at the end of the tail.
2. Fangs in addition to their rows of teeth.
3. Facial pits between the nostrils and eyes. (These should look similar to dimples)
4. Vertical and elliptical pupils that may look like thin lines in bright light. (Non-venomous snakes have round pupils.)
5. A single row of scales between the vent and the tip of the tail. (Nonvenomous snakes have two rows of scales.)
6. Broad triangular head and narrow neck.
If you pet is bitten, you will notice sudden pain and swelling. You may also see 2 distinct fang marks near the site of the injury. Try to keep your pet as calm as possible, and keep movement to a minimum. Flower essences and essential oils may be useful to help ease anxiety in your pet. Here at the clinic, we can help build formulas designed to fit the specific needs of your pet. For example, Echinacea is an effective initial treatment, and can be carried easily if you are away from home. Give a few drops of the tincture every 10-15 minutes, or as often possible until your pet can be examined. Always get your pet into a veterinarian as soon as possible. It is a good idea to be familiar with emergency clinics in the area you will be traveling.
The risk to your pet will vary with the location of the bite, the amount of venom injected, and the size of your pet. A bite on the paw will be uncomfortable, but most pets will heal if bitten in this location. A bite on the head may cause enough swelling to obstruct breathing, and can become life-threatening. Your veterinarian will treat the bite to decrease swelling, prevent infection, and may even use anti-venom if the symptoms are severe.
You can find more information about snakes on the following sites:
CSU: Coping with Snakes
Colorado Herpetological Society
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