 Thinking about losing a beloved member of our family is never easy. Talking about it can be even more difficult. So what do you do when you need to make the hardest decision of all? How do you know when it's time to say goodbye?
We're here to help you understand the process and hopefully make the decision a little easier. When is it time? There is often not a definitive way to know when the exact time to say goodbye to your pet is, but there are several factors to consider when weighing the option. We often tell our clients to consider the quality of life of their pets. Are they eating and drinking normally? Are they able to get up and move around without great effort or pain? Are they able to enjoy their favorite activities? Are they able to maintain their hygiene (grooming themselves)? Do they have more bad days than good? As with many things, the answers to these questions can be more of a spectrum than definitive yes or no answers. Below is a scale to help. The Process When a euthanasia appointment is scheduled, our staff will ask a few simple questions. 1.) Would you like to stay with your pet during the procedure? 2.) Do you know what you'd like to do for aftercare? 3.) Do you have any questions for us? The answers to these questions are entirely up to you. We will do our best to inform you of the options and help you choose which is best for you. While most pet owners prefer to stay, some prefer not to be present during the procedure, and while we understand, we encourage you to stay if possible. It can be heart-wrenching to be there but the way we see it is that you have been their whole world, their source of joy and comfort, and it's always best to let them leave with that same sense of comfort and love. When you come in for your appointment our staff do our best to make everything as comfortable as possible. We will quickly get you into a room where we will have a blanket set up for your pet to lay on, have you sign the necessary paperwork, and get you charged out so that you won't need to deal with payment afterward. The doctor will come in to speak with you, perform an exam and if they agree that euthanasia is the right option, they will administer a sedative to relax your pet. After the sedative has taken effect and when you are ready, the doctor and one of our staff will come in to administer the euthanasia solution. The process is painless and works very quickly. The doctor will confirm that your pet is gone and leave the room to give you as much time as you need. We offer three options for aftercare. You can take your pet home for burial. You can choose group cremation in which you would not receive their ashes back and instead will be spread on the property owned by the cremation company. Or private cremation in which their ashes would be returned to you in a wooden, ceramic, or biodegradable urn of your choice. With either cremation option, we can also offer a ceramic paw print with your choice of color. Final Thoughts There is a saying in veterinary medicine; "better a day too early than a day too late." We often explain that to clients as it being better to let your pet go on a good day rather than their worst day. While it is incredibly painful for us to lose them, it's a final act of love we can offer them to let them go before they are in immense pain or suffering. "How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard." - Winnie The Pooh.
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Is your pet looking a little more fluffy around the middle than they should? Read on to learn more about how a few extra pounds can drastically affect their health! Obesity or being overweight in animals is nothing new but has recently seen a shift on social media from being a bad thing to being "cute". Many of you have probably seen a post somewhere about a cat being a "chonker" or a dog being a "heckin' big boy" with an array of comments about how lovable and squishy they are. The reality is that these pets are often in a lot of pain and suffering from medical issues that are directly related to their weight. The average adult cat should weigh between 8 and 11 lbs. but can weigh more or less depending on their body structure and breed. Below is a chart to help you visualize what a healthy weight on a cat looks like.  If your cat is looking more like number 4 or 5 in the infographic it may be time or a visit with our doctors to check for things like liver or kidney problems, arthritis, or even diabetes. Obese cats also have a much more difficult time grooming themselves which can lead to skin issues. Ideally, cats would be on a managed diet with regular feeding times and measured amounts of food. They should have a minimal amount of treats as well. What about dogs? Dogs are just as prone to being overweight or obese as cats, maybe even moreso since we tend to reward good behavior (or, lets be honest, just being adorable) with food. A dogs ideal weight is highly dependent on its breed so below is a chart to help you visualize if your dog is overweight or not.  Training your dog using food can be a great motivator and use of positive reinforcement. Many professional trainers recommend this method, in fact. The problem lies within the overuse of food as a way to show our dogs love or appreciation. As we all know, extra calories can add up quickly and lead to unwanted extra pounds. While for us, a couple of extra pounds may not make much of a difference, with dogs just an additional 2 lbs. can be the same as a person gaining 20 lbs. depending on the size of your dog.
Carrying all that extra weight can be extremely detrimental to your dogs health, both physical and emotional. Obesity in dogs can and often does lead to diabetes, arthritis, torn ligaments in joints, heart disease, high blood pressure, bladder stones, several types of cancer, depression, and behavioral issues. What can you do? To prevent your pet from becoming overweight or obese speak with one of our doctors or technicians about the proper amount for your pet to eat per day. Make sure they are getting plenty of exercise by going for walks, playing, or swimming (see our Summer Safety Guide here). Don't let them fool you into thinking they're starving all the time, as long as they're eating a balanced, healthy diet, they're not. Don't use food as the only tool in your belt for praising and rewarding or just showing them love. While the occasional treat is ok, try to limit how many they get. Replace your regular treats with things like fresh green beans, bits of cooked carrot, or small pieces of plain chicken or tuna. The bottom line is that our furry friends are just as susceptible to obesity related medical conditions as we are and since they are unable to make dietary choices for themselves it's up to us to make healthy ones for them! Well folks, it's going to be a scorcher!
When temperatures start to rise, the heat poses a risk not only to humans but to our pets as well. It's important to keep your beloved companions cool and safe during the hot summer months to avoid things like heat stroke, dehydration, or even water related injuries. Below are some tips to help keep your furry friends happy and healthy this summer! DON'T LEAVE YOUR DOG OR OTHER PETS IN THE CAR. While this may seem like a no-brainer, many pets are left unattended in hot vehicles all the time. At 80 degrees outside, even with the windows cracked or rolled down, temperatures inside a vehicle can quickly reach over 100 degrees within minutes. This can quickly lead to heat stroke, which is often fatal. If you absolutely MUST bring your pets with you bring someone to stay in the vehicle with them with the air conditioning on, or call ahead to your destination to ask about their policies on bringing pets with you. However, the safest thing is for them to stay at home. OUTDOOR PETS. If it's hot to you, it's hot to them! In and ideal world, every pet would have a comfy, air conditioned, indoor area to relax in during the hottest hours of the day but we know that's just not possible. But there are some things we can do to help keep them comfortable outdoors. Fresh, cool water, plenty of shade and an area that isn't so enclosed as to stop any breeze. You can also give your pets treats such as frozen low sodium chicken broth, green beans, or just plain ice cubes. Many dogs also appreciate a shallow kiddie pool to splash in as well! RABBITS. Rabbits are much more sensitive to the heat than most domestic animals. Their dense fur traps their body heat next to their skin and with their somewhat fragile systems this can VERY quickly lead to over-heating an death. Rabbits should be kept in a temperature regulated enclosure or indoors if possible once it's over 80 degrees outside. Wild rabbits can burrow underground to stay cool but most pet rabbits don't have that option. If there is no way to keep your bunny indoors there are still some ways to help keep them safe. Fresh, cool water, shade, ceramic tiles, frozen 2 liter water bottles, damp towels over the top of their enclosure, and frozen treats are all ways to help keep your rabbits temperature down. For more information on caring for rabbits in hot weather click here. WATER SAFETY. Many dogs love the water. But did you know that some breeds can't swim well enough to keep their heads above water? Brachycephalic, or short snout, breeds such as French Bulldogs, English Bulldogs, Pugs, Pekingese, Shih Tzus and Lhasa Apso have an especially difficult time with swimming. Having a life jacket on your pet while they are in the water is one of the best ways to avoid a terrible accident. And if your pet is going to be swimming in moving water such as a river or the ocean its best to have a life jacket and leash securely attached and in hand at all times. PET CPR. It's something we all hope we'll never have to use but know it's good to have the training. Just like you can get certified in human Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) you can also get trained in animal CPR. The Red Cross offers Pet CPR and First Aid information on their website here. If you have any questions or thoughts we'd love to hear from you in the comments! During a busy day, the lobby here at Vineyard Vet can get quite crowded and hectic. There are people checking their pets in and out, waiting for their appointment with their pet, or picking up prescriptions. Some pets are ill or in pain, some are nervous and unsure, some can even be overly friendly. Pets who are not feeling well or are scared can become even more stressed. Below is a list of ways you can help keep things relaxed and flowing as smoothly as possible!
1.) Patience.- If the pandemic has taught us anything it's that time is precious. We have been busier than usual for the past year which has extended our wait times. We are doing our best to make sure that you are seen in a timely manner and we appreciate your patience and understanding. 2.)Keep your dog on a leash and your cat in a carrier.- What can make an already crowded clinic even more stressful is having a pet run about the lobby, or worse, our parking lot next to a busy road. We HIGHLY recommend not using retractable leashes. While they may seem like a great item and may work for you at home they can be dangerous in a clinic if they become unlocked or the handle breaks. They also make it difficult for the staff to safely handle your pet. We also HIGHLY recommend bringing your cat in a carrier that is able to be securely closed. It becomes unsafe for your cat when they are only wrapped in a towel, brought in a box with no top, or even just carried in your arms. 3.) Do not let your puppy walk on the ground outside of your own backyard until it is fully vaccinated.- Parvovirus (Parvo), a serious and potentially lethal virus, can live outside of it's preferred host for months to years making it highly contagious. 4.) Avoid introducing pets to one another.- While many pets may be friendly in their home environment, the clinic is often stressful for pets who are not feeling well, are in pain, don't like other animals, or are overwhelmed by the sights, sounds, and smells. Since you don't know how another pet will react, it is best to keep your dog on a shortened leash near you, your cat in a carrier, and prevent them from coming nose to nose with another animal in the lobby or parking lot. 5.) Stay alert.- while our staff do their best to keep the lobby as calm as possible, having owners watch for potential negative situations with their pets helps us a lot! Please comment below and let us know if you have any questions or other ideas of how to make your pets visit as stress free as possible! The debate about spaying and neutering animals has been a hot topic for years. Some for and some against. At Vineyard Veterinary Hospital we believe firmly in the importance of spaying and neutering. And to help you make the choice for your pet we'd like to provide the following information from the SPCA.
Consider these statistics as to how just one litter can result in hundreds to thousands of unwanted pets: The Prolific Cat/The Prolific Dog 1st year: 3 litters = 12 offspring/1st year: 4 offspring with 2 females = 8 offspring 2nd year: 144 offspring/2nd year: 32 offspring 3rd year: 1,728 offspring/3rd year: 128 offspring 4th year: 10,736 offspring/5th year: 512 offspring What Is Spay/neuter? The surgical removal of the ovaries and uterus of a female to prevent pregnancy or the removal of the testicles of males to prevent them from impregnating females. Why Spay/Neuter? It’s good for your pet… Spaying/neutering helps dogs and cats live longer, healthier lives by eliminating or reducing the incidence of a number of health problems that can be very difficult and/or expensive to treat.
Myths & Facts Myth: My pet will get fat and lazy. Fact: The truth is that most pets get fat and lazy because their owners feed them too much and don’t give them enough exercise. Myth: It’s better to have one litter first. Fact: Medical evidence indicates just the opposite. In fact, the evidence shows that females spayed before their first heat are typically healthier. Many veterinarians sterilize dogs and cats as young as eight weeks of age. Myth: My children should experience the miracle of birth. Fact: Even if children are able to see a pet give birth – which is unlikely, since it usually occurs at night and in seclusion – the lesson they will really learn is that animals can be created and discarded as it suits adults. Instead, it should be explained to children that the real miracle is life and that preventing the birth of some pets can save the lives of others. Myth: But my pet is a purebred. Fact: So is at least one out of every four pets brought to animal shelters around the country. There are just too many dogs and cats – mixed and purebred alike. Myth: I want my dog to be protective. Fact: Spaying or neutering does not affect a dog’s natural instinct to protect home and family. A dog’s personality is formed more by genetics and environment than by sex hormones. Myth: I don’t want my male dog or cat to feel like less of a male. Fact: Pets don’t have any concept of sexual identity or ego. Neutering will not change a pet’s basic personality. He doesn’t suffer any kind of emotional reaction or identity crisis when neutered. Myth: But my dog (or cat) is so special. I want a puppy (or kitten) just like him/her. Fact: A dog or cat may be a great pet, but that doesn’t mean her offspring will be a carbon copy. In fact, an entire litter of puppies or kittens might receive all of a pet’s (and her mate’s) worst characteristics. Myth: It’s too expensive to have my pet spayed or neutered. Fact: There are many affordable spay/neuter options in our community. Please see the resources we have made available. Whatever the actual price, spay or neuter surgery is a one-time cost – a relatively small cost when compared to all the benefits. It’s a bargain compared to the cost of having a litter and ensuring the health of the mother and litter; two months of pregnancy and another two months until the litter is weaned can add up to significant veterinary bills and food costs; particularly if complications develop. Most importantly, it’s a very small price to pay for the health of your pet and the prevention of the births of more unwanted pets. Myth: I’ll find good homes for all the puppies and kittens. Fact: You may find good homes for all of your pet’s litter. But each home you find means one less home for the dogs and cats in shelters who need good homes. Also, in less than one year’s time, each of your pet’s offspring may have his or her own litter, adding even more animals to the population. The problem of pet overpopulation is created and perpetuated one litter at a time. If you've read this far and would like more information on the cost and process of spay/neuter please call us at 209-334-1819. |
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