Parks it under your vehicle. If you have an indoor/outdoor cat, chances are they have their favorite spots. In the garage may be one of them during the cold winter months. That means your car is a prime target for a snuggle spot.
If your cat frequents the garage make sure to find out where the are before you pull out the car. They may be on top of a tire or perched near a warm part under the vehicle.
Sure, it’s cute, but does your pup really need a dress up? Well, January 14th is dress up your pet day, so obviously there are pet owners that take this very seriously. In reality, if you have a thin animal that doesn’t have a lot of body fat, or a short hair that doesn’t have a lot of insulation, then you do need to take precautions to keep them warm when they are out in the elements.
This goes for all of you. Animals can slip and fall on the ice, same as use. If ice exists, try going to the park for your walk instead.
Older animals, short-haired and skinny dogs get cold faster. Be especially careful with puppies.
Treat cold weather the same as you would hot weather. Don’t leave your pets in the car during cold weather.
Keep your dogs on leash when you are out. Especially in snowy conditions where the animal may not be visible because of snow depth. If you are dealing with a puppy, double up on this rule. An untrained, inexperienced pup can get in more trouble faster than you or they may expect.
Many of you probably leave your walking shoes by the door. Roads are full of chemicals this time of year. Salts, anti-freeze and de-icers are used everywhere. Remember to wipe down your animals feet to keep those out of your house and out of their mouths.
We are continuing curbside service to deliver your need for pet care and veterinary emergencies. For the safety of your animals and our staff, during the shorter, darker days, we will be closing at 6:00. Continue reading
These were not the words I ever thought would come…with a great amount of relief. But, I thought my dog was dying and we had spent the weekend preparing the kids for the worst. Our mid-sized dog suddenly dropped her weight nearly in half. She had been losing weight, but we thought this was a positive result from a change to a healthier diet.
However, she took a turn for the worse and we ended up at TLC, with a dog who had lost 38 pounds.
Two signs stood out in retrospect:
If your dog is seven or eight and you are not sure you have been feeding them the best food, you should be aware of the signs of diabetes. If you have a breed that is more susceptible, you should be on the watch for signs.
You may want to look into a improving the diet of your aging pets. We have always been healthy eaters ourselves but we didn’t pay a lot of attention to the dog’s diet. And we were guilty of giving them way too many fatty table treats and have found out that many of the store treats were full of sugars.
Just like humans, diet matters to your pet’s health. If you want to improve the overall health of your pet, diet and exercise have to be addressed. Otherwise, you may be looking at our new situation. A by the clock eating schedule of low carb food, followed by an injection of insulin. Twice a day. She is doing great, and actually has looked better for a couple years. We only wish we’d seen the signs sooner.
She had grown so weak that she couldn’t stand and was so thirsty that she just lay by her water bowl.
It’s National Adopt A Dog Month, so be on the look out for shelter pets if you are looking for a new dog. Adopting a dog is a wonderful opportunity to help in your community.
Read our veterinarian to do list when adopting a new animal into your home.
While rabies is a 100% preventable disease, more than 59,000 people die from the disease around the world each year. World Rabies Day is an opportunity to reflect on our efforts to control this deadly disease and remind ourselves that the fight is not yet over. CDC on Rabies
At TLC Pet Hospital we want to remind you to keep up with your Rabies vaccinations for your pets. This is a requirement of the City of Albuquerque in order to license your pet in the city limits, but it is also important for the health of your pet. No one wants to risk rabies in their pet. Wild animals including squirrels, bats and raccoons can be carriers that can spread the disease to your animals. Rabies infections can lead to death for both pets and humans, so do your part and keep up with your pet’s vaccinations.
Animal Pain Awareness –
It’s very difficult when we know that our loved ones are in pain, and our pets are no different. There are lots of reasons why a cherished pet might be in pain and having pain awareness can help reduce stress for you and your pet. Certain disease states and post-operative states have a lot of pain involved. Arthritis, degenerative joint disease or hip dysplasia and post-surgery healing may have varying levels of pain associated with them. Just like humans, long term use of drugs can take a toll on mood and other body systems. There are some other options to help long-term pain.Continue reading
With recent rains, mosquito counts will be on the rise. Get a heartworm test and preventive medication with us.Continue reading
Don’t forget to find a safe and quiet place for your pets, especially if they get nervous around fireworks. Be aware of the presence of pets at all times if you are shooting off fireworks.
Don’t go out for walks once it gets past 80 degrees. Especially on dark pavement, but gravel trails get just as hot under the New Mexico sun.
Make sure that you have plenty of water for you and your pet. Continue reading