• Your full name
• Your pets name
• Attach a photo of your pet (doesn’t have to be anything fancy, even just his/her face will do)
• A story explaining how Advanced Animal Care Center specifically helped you or how something you learned from my care helped you achieve and maintain good health for your pet. If you can go into specifics, like what exactly we did and what the results were before and after, that would be great. If you don’t have a story to tell, just a general explanation of how my care has been helpful to you would be great. You can simply email it to me.

Thank you in advance!

-Michel Selmer, DVM

Below are some pet health hazards that can occur during the hot weather.

Heat stroke: Certain breeds are prone to heat stroke (brachiocephalic or pushed in muzzle breeds) but all of us are susceptible to the effects of high heat. Try to walk and play with your dogs during the cooler times of the day and always carry water with you at all times. Never, ever leave your dog unattended in the car. Even if it is “just for a few minutes, with the window cracked”. The temperature will rise to 110 degrees F. in no time, and death can result.

Insects and parasites: Insects and parasites are more numerous in the summer months. Fleas, ticks, and mosquitos can create problems varying from a slight annoyance to a full-blown medical emergency. Fleas create severe allergic reactions in both pets and people. Ticks are capable of passing very severe diseases to our pets (Lyme’s disease, Ehrlichiosis), and mosquitos in our area can create annoying bites and/or pass Heartworm disease to dogs and cats. Fortunately, there is effective medication to prevent all these diseases.

Barbeques: Whenever you are hosting family or friends for a get together and/or barbeque, lay out the ground rules ahead of time: “Please do not feed my pets any food from the barbeque or table!” Dogs and cats have very sensitive digestive tracts and food that they don’t often eat (and are particularly high in fat) can create symptoms ranging from simple diarrhea to full blown pancreatitis. Nothing ruins a barbeque more than having your pet vomit all over the guests! Watch out for little morsels of food that drop from the picnic table too! All it takes is a little bit of (fill in the blank with sour cream, mayonnaise, potato chips, hot dogs, ice cream, cake) to make a dog so sick that you think that he may die.

Anti Freeze: Some of us are so conscientious that we remember to add a little antifreeze to our radiators during the summer months to prevent overheating of our automobiles. Be extremely careful while utilizing these products. Most are very toxic to pets and even a small quantity of anti freeze ingested can cause acute kidney failure. Pets find these antifreeze products attractive because they taste sweet.

Larger Pests: When hiking or in dry terrain, be wary of rattlesnakes. Fortunately, there is a vaccination now available for dogs to help minimize the severe medical consequences of being bit. Other predators will be out and about hunting for food (coyotes, bobcats), so keep your small pets inside as much as possible and always in sight.

Dog parks and beaches: Many more people and their pets take advantage of the longer days and nice weather by frequenting beaches and dog parks with their pets. This is a blessing and a curse. It is certainly nice to have a group of well socialized dogs playing together, romping around, and having fun. All it takes, however, is one bully to ruin the party. Be aware of any dog that acts aggressively toward the other dogs (or people) and keep your distance. Most pet owners are aware of their pet’s behavior issues, but some are so obtuse as to take the opportunity to take their dog “Killer” to the dog park for his first experience during the most crowded part of the day. Fights, lacerations, dog bites can ensue that will require immediate medical attention. The rule of thumb is to pay attention and be vigilant at all times.

We hope you have a safe and wonderful summer. ]]> http://www.carepaw.com/2011/07/13/hot-weather-health-hazards/feed/ 0 http://www.carepaw.com/2011/05/23/cheerios-not-so-cheery-for-your-pets/ http://www.carepaw.com/2011/05/23/cheerios-not-so-cheery-for-your-pets/#comments Mon, 23 May 2011 14:07:43 +0000 admin http://www.carepaw.com/?p=397 One common pet health problem is chronic urinary tract infections in dogs and cats.  A contributing factor to chronic UTIS is feeding pets grains such as wheat, corn, oats, etc.  A popular treat that many pet owners give their dogs is Cheerios.  Those cute little rings are packed with grains, sugar and carbohydrates—all setting the stage for a urinary tract infection and possible allergic reaction.  A big problem can results from a seemingly small indulgence.  Please DO NOT give your pet Cheerios or any human breakfast cereals.

Instead look for healthy, non-grain-based treats such as  baby carrots, green beans, small pieces of homemaked potatoes or yams or venison jerky.  Of course, if your pet is on a protein-restricted diet due to kidney or liver disease, the protein treats should be limited.

On holidays, it is quite common for emergency animal clinics to be filled with dogs and cats being brought in after suffering from a severe bout of pancreatitis. Giving pets table scraps such as fat from meat, cooked bones, turkey drippings and gravy, even in small amounts, can make them sick. Pet owners and doting relatives who overindulge the pet in holiday food are not only causing a change in the pet’s diet (which can make them sick on its own) but combining that with high fat foods can lead to serious, sometimes even fatal consequences.

Still, it is natural to want to pamper your pet and so if you want to give your pet an extra snack, plan ahead. Have safe treats such as your pet’s favorite treat available or consider giving fresh vegetables (steamed preferably) or lean meats or fish. A small teaspoon of canned pumpkin (plain pumpkin-not with pumpkin pie spice and sugar!) is also a safe option. Even a piece of a baked sweet potato, white potato or yam is ok.

The following foods, however, can be dangerous so avoid giving them to your pet:
* Chocolate
* Grapes or raisins
* Onions (cooked or raw)
* Sweets (cookies, cake, ice cream, etc.)
* Rolls/bread (many pets are allergic to gluten)
* High fat foods such as butter, gravy or peanut butter
* Cooked bones (they can cause choking and tearing in the GI tract)

The most common thing people tend to do during the holidays is give the dog and cat scraps off the table, such as gravy, turkey drippings and pieces of fat. These high fat foods can cause diarrhea, vomiting and overload the pet’s digestive system.

Moreover, overtreating pets on holidays or anytime leads to obesity. Numerous studies indicate that pet obesity is on the rise contributing to an increase in life-threatening diseases such as diabetes, hepatic lipidosis and cancer.

So to make your holiday special with your furry friends, make safety your number one priority. Keep pets in a designated part of your home if guests come over so that they can’t get loose when the door opens.  Don’t leave them alone in a room when candles are burning and plan ahead if you want to give them some special treats.

Wishing you a healthy and happy holiday!

1. Is the company licensed in your state? Which of their policies are available in your state?

2. Does the company have a good reputation? What do the Better Business Bureau or other independent organizations have to say about it? How long has the company been around?

3. Are the policies and information provided reasonably easy to understand? Are the people you talk to

knowledgeable and helpful?

4. Does the company offer customer service during reasonable hours?

5. Can you see any veterinarian you want?

6. Have premiums increased over the past few years?

If so, by how much?

7. What happens to coverage and premiums as your pet gets older?

8. Are there any reasons you wouldn’t be able to renew your policy?

9. What type of coverage and co-insurance does the policy require?

10. Is there a “usual and customary charges” clause? How are those limits determined?

11. What kinds of care are excluded or limited? Are congenital or hereditary diseases covered? What

about cancer? Is dental care covered?

12. Are conditions diagnosed within one year excluded as preexisting conditions the next?

13. Are benefits available for wellness or preventive care for your pet?

14. Can you choose a deductible? Can you change the deductible from year to year? Is the deductible

annual or is it applied to each medical incident?

15. Are the waiting periods before coverage begins reasonable?

16. Is there a maximum age for enrollment?

17. Are there limits per incident, per year, per lifetime, or per body system? What are those limits?

18. Is a physical examination required for enrollment or renewal?

19. How quickly are claims processed and paid?

20. Are there any billing fees or discounts?

If you would like to learn more about Advanced Animal Care Center please click here…

260 Evergreen Avenue

Huntington Station, NY, 11746

Phone:  (631) 367-7387          advancedcareforpets.com

Giardia and It’s Debilitating Effects on Your Pet’s Immune System

Giardia are parasites that live in the small intestine of dogs and cats.  Giardia is not just found in rescue pets…..Many puppies and kittens from the very best breeders are often affected.  Also, a small percentage of pets can carry Giardia but be asymptomatic so it is very important for every pet to be tested.
Giardia is very common and can easily be transmitted to humans, particularly children. Giardia is a protozoal infection of the intestines that is transmitted by water or fecal ingestion. Giardia causes intermittent diarrhea and/or vomitting. However, SOME PETS MAY HAVE NO SYMPTOMS!!!!! It is very important to have a fecal smear and ELISA test to doublecheck. This is especially important if your pet has access to open streams or playtime with other pets.

Treatment for giardia needs to be a multipronged approach.  While the medications may kill the giardia, the intestines are now in an inflamed state and can affect the long-term health of your pet.  Your treatment strategy will need to include: 1) antiparasitic medications such as Panacur and Flagyl prescribed by your veterinarian 2) hygiene to prevent reinfestation  3) supplements to repair and rebuild your pet’s intestinal tract.  The effects of giardia can have a long-term impact on your pet’s immune system and bowel function.  Many pets diagnosed with IBD later in life, suffered from giardia and/or worms as puppies and kittens.  In order to help prevent these long-term effects, we highly recommend the use of Probiotics to help reduce inflammation in the intestinal tract and rebalance intestinal flora.

Here are some hygiene tips in case you have a pet with giardia.  Please note that this list is not all-encompassing and it is very important to work with your veterinarian to handle the problem:
1) Wash your pet and your pet’s bedding several times during the first 2 weeks of the treatment period.

2) Use a baby wipe or wet paper towel and gloves to wipe your pet’s rear end after your defecation

3) Reinfestation is a HUGE PROBLEM.  If at all possible, keep your infected pet separated in an isolated area.  You may want to ask your veterinarian about proactively treating other pets although the medications can be harsh and cause other problems.  Be sure your infected pet only urinates and defecates in an isolated area (no grass is best) away from where other pets may go.
4) ALWAYS wear gloves when picking up stool infested with giardia or parasites/worms and then throw the baggie into another baggie with a tie on top. Immediately pick up the stool if possible. Giardia can set into the ground, concrete etc.

5) After you clean up the area, please use Bleach or a cleaning product containing bleach. Be prepared–you could need about 30 rolls of paper towels in a 10 day period and several bottles of cleanser. Wash your shoes after walking on the infected area as cleaning up diarrhea is not easy and it is easy to step on it (ick!).

6) Keep children, workmen, pets and housekeepers away from the trash. Put a big note on your trash barrel making sure they know to stay clear.

Additionally, it is important to understand that pets affected with giardia will need some after-care. Many pets can develop inflammatory bowel disease because the inflammation in the bowel has not been addressed.

Thank you for being an Advanced Animal Care Center Client. We look forward to continuing to provide you with quality holistic pet care and valuable pet health information.

260 Evergreen Avenue

Huntington Station, NY, 11746

Phone:  (631) 367-7387      Fax:(631) 367-7414      advancedcareforpets.com

Signs Help Determine When Pet Needs a Vet

Anyone who has ever pulled out a credit card at the emergency clinic for something that wasn’t an emergency comes away wishing for a better knowledge of what constitutes an urgent situation — and what doesn’t. But as big an “ouch” as a nonemergency can be to the budget, it’s a lot better than the opposite situation: an emergency that goes untreated until it’s too late for your pet.

But how can you tell? The signs of a healthy pet are pretty apparent to an observant pet owner: bright, clear eyes with no sign of discharge; clean ears, free of buildup or smell; a mouth not overpowered by its odor, with pink gums free of infection; a nose that appears moist, with no discharge; a shiny coat, with unblemished skin below that snaps back easily when pulled away from the shoulders. A healthy attitude, a healthy appetite and normal thirst are part of the package, too, without signs of intestinal upset. No lameness, no swelling. No heavy panting.

Anything to the contrary is reason for concern. But is it an emergency?

The first way to start finding out is with a thermometer. Pet thermometers are available at pet-supply stores or you can use one designed for humans. Just be sure to put the latter in a special place so there are no mix-ups.

To take your pet’s temperature, put a little water-based lubricant on the tip of the thermometer and insert it in the animal’s fanny. After a minute or so, remove and check the temperature. Normal is between 100 and 102.5 for dogs and cats; anything below 99 or above 103 is worth checking with a veterinarian, day or night.

Some other trouble indicators include seizure, fainting or collapse, as well as any suspected poisoning, including antifreeze, rodent or snail bait, or human medication. Snake or spider bites, too, demand immediate attention. Cats in particular can be fatally sensitive to insecticides (such as flea-control medications that are safe for dogs), petroleum-based products or medications such as Tylenol.

Sometimes situations that might not seem urgent really are, even such as mild eye injuries or allergic reactions — swelling around the face or hives. A single incident of vomiting or diarrhea is probably nothing, but anything more than two or three times within an hour or so could indicate a serious problem. Other signs of possible serious conditions are breathing problems, chronic coughing, or difficulties urinating or defecating, especially in cats.

Animals can sometimes seem fine after accidents, such as being hit by a car, exposed to extreme heat or cold, or being cut or bitten. Beware! Your pet may have internal problems that may be lethal if not attended to quickly.

There are also situations that may not be life-threatening but are certainly painful enough to warrant immediate veterinary attention. Some of the signs of an animal in pain include panting, labored breathing, lethargy or restlessness, loss of appetite, aggression, hiding or crying out. While it may be possible to wait until your regular veterinarian is available, put yourself in your pet’s place. Don’t let your pet suffer!

Make best use of this column by saving it in your phone book and writing the phone number of your regular veterinarian and the phone number and directions to the nearest emergency clinic on it, so all the information is ready when you need it. And always remember: When in doubt, call a veterinarian.

It’s better to make a trip you needn’t have than to miss the one you should have made.

Click here to learn more about quality holistic pet care and other valuable pet health information.

Step 1–Prepare yourself mentally that you will need to take control of the situation and that this is going to require some extra effort. Consider the positive benefits of administering the pill (e.g. your pet’s health may improve!).  Many people struggle with the issue that if their pet doesn’t want to take something, then they don’t want to upset them.  When you consider that your pet’s health may deteriorate without the pill, it is important that you as the caretaker take charge.

Pets sense your hesitation and if you are thinking “Gee, I don’t know why I am giving this to Buster”—then you won’t administer the pill with the same tenacity as if you really thought it would help Buster feel better. Thus, step #1 in administering pills is to understand why you are using the supplement or medicine and then you will be more comfortable knowing that you are helping your pet.

Other tips you may find helpful:

1) If the product is a vitamin supplement (this does not apply to medications from your veterinarian!), start with a tiny amount.  Give your pet time to get used to the new smell or texture.  Try opening a capsule and sprinkling just a dash into the food.  Hide the tiny amount underneath a tasty treat in your pet’s bowl. Over time, your pet will get used to it in the food. Many pet owners make the mistake of putting the full amount in the first time and then erroneously conclude their pet will not accept it.  Administering supplements is an ART and requires patience.

2) Try to convince your pet “it’s not a pill, it’s a treat”. You can hide the pill in a special food or treat that you ONLY use at pill time. Try some premium canned pet food, mashed potatoes, baby food, canned pumpkin or a Pill Pocket. Do NOT use peanut butter, cookie dough or full fat cream cheese or other cheese. Many pets are allergic to the ingredients in all of these and they are too high in fat.

3) Be sure when you hide the pill that the food is “bite-size”. You may need to cut the pill. When hiding the pill, be careful not to use too much food—you may find that ½ a Pill Pocket, for example, is sufficient. If you give too much food, then your pet will start to chew the treat and the pill will be spit out. Use the bare minimum of covering—just enough for a quick gulp!

4) Try mixing the powder from the pill with a liquid such as chicken broth or clam juice.  Squirt the broth into your pet’s mouth.  Most pills can be crushed or opened, mixed with water or broth and given in a syringe. This technique works very well, especially with cats. Open the capsule of the supplement or medication, or crush the pill, mix with water, broth or tuna water and syringe into your pet’s mouth. Syringes can be purchased at any drug store or at your veterinarian’s office.

5) It might be better to give the pill at a separate time away from the pet’s regular feeding schedule using a treat.  Otherwise, if the pet doesn’t like the taste, they might become picky with regular meals.

6) Try putting a dab of the liquid mixture on your pet’s paw or on your fingers and see if your pet will lick it off. Many times pets might be reluctant to eat the medicine when it is on their food but will lick it off their fur or your fingertips.

7) If all else fails and your pet consistently spits out the pill, then you will need to open your pet’s mouth, place the pill quickly into the back of the mouth, close the mouth and then gently massage the throat to ensure the pill is swallowed (while holding the jaws shut). This is a lot easier than it sounds and sometimes may be your only option. Your veterinarian’s office can show you how. Often, when pets realize that they have two choices: have the pill placed in the back of their mouth or take the treat, they suddenly start to cooperate.

Compliance with pills in the end, comes down to your ability to take control of your pet and your belief in the benefits of the medication or supplement. If you don’t feel good about giving the product, then after a few days, you may find you haven’t complied with your doctor or pet health practitioner’s instructions. Understanding the benefits of what you are using will help keep you going as in many cases, giving an uncooperative pet pills does take time and can be stressful.
Thank you for being an Advanced Animal Care Center Client. We look forward to continuing to provide you with quality holistic pet care and valuable pet health information.

Smelly Skin and Coat—Allergies—both environmental and digestive, contribute to skin problems. Both yeast and bacterial infections can cause an odor. Pet owners often get discouraged because their pet will have an odor even after giving them a bath. It is a misnomer to conclude “my pet just smells” or that it is somehow related to your pet’s breed. The odor is a sign of imbalance and possibly infection.

Many times pets have an odor from allergies which can also leave a white powdery or greasy film on your hand when you touch your pet. Common food allergens include grains such as wheat, oats, gluten and corn. Too many carbohydrates such as rice and potatoes, when given to a young pet, can contribute to yeast overgrowth. Some meat proteins such as chicken and poultry can be big allergens too. In addition to food allergies, pets can have environmental allergies too.

At the first sign of a skin odor, please take your pet to the veterinarian to determine the cause. Your pet could have an infection, parasites or an underlying endocrine disorder. Change your pet’s diet to address the problem. Use supplements to prevent reoccurences and to give your pet a healthy skin and coat.

Stinky Ears—If you smell near your pet’s ears and there is a strong odor, take your pet for a checkup right away. During the hot summer months, pets are prone to ear infections. Many ear infections are due to yeast overgrowth. Using dry kibble is often a contributing factor, especially if it contains the grains mentioned above or is high in carbohydrates. Dry pet food, while convenient for you, can greatly contribute to yeast overgrowth. Pets need fresh foods such as green vegetables, meat and Omega 3s to optimize health.

Gas, Belching and Vomiting—This is something our pets may do on occassion. But frequent rumbly tummies, gas, burping and regurgitation are a sign that something is wrong. Often these signs are due to the food you are feeding. Finding the optimal food depends greatly upon the age and health conditions of your pet. For example, pets that have IBS may do just fine with potatoes while other pets with chronic ear infections do not. If your pet has digestive issues, scheduling a telephone consultation to determine the best diet and supplement program is highly recommended. It is very common for pet owners to report that years of gas and belching were early symptoms that their pet was suffering from inflammatory bowel disease. For example, cats can develop intestinal lymphoma especially if they have been exposed to foods they cannot digest properly for years. It is always a good idea to revisit your pet’s diet with a veterinary professional if you notice any of the above digestive symptoms. Also, using the

We came to this conclusion after discovering that our ingredient supplier had made a scheduling error and produced a Vitamin D supplement immediately prior to preparing the ingredients for the BLUE products that are in question. We believe that some of the Vitamin D supplement may have been carried over into our products, resulting in more Vitamin D than is called for in our formulas.

While the potential of increased Vitamin D presents no serious health risk, and any negative reaction to these products has been confined to a very small segment of the canine population who appear to be sensitive to higher levels of Vitamin D, we have a zero tolerance for any product that does not meet our specifications. I think you’ll agree that our decision to withdraw these specific products is simply the right thing to do.

From a next steps standpoint, all products with the specific manufacturing dates in question will be removed from retailer’s shelves. If you have any products with the codes shown below you should stop feeding them immediately.You may call Blue Buffalo at
1-877-523-9114 to arrange for return of the product and reimbursement.

These are the ONLY code dates being recalled:

This Vitamin D issue does not effect any other code dates of these products or any other Blue Buffalo dog or cat foods. In addition, new bags of Wilderness Chicken, Basics Salmon and Large Breed Adult Chicken will be available on the shelves so you can continue to feed BLUE with complete confidence.

If your dog has shown any adverse reaction to the recalled products, have him checked by your veterinarian. Typical symptoms might include excessive water intake and/or excessive urination, and in some cases vomiting. Blue Buffalo will reimburse any veterinary or testing expenses related to illness caused by these products.

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