Exercise More

Nothing stalls the progression of time better than exercise. Regardless of your pet's current physical status, daily walks or play can rewind years' worth of damage and boost your pet's mental and physical health. For dogs, a brisk 20-to-30 minute walk once or twice a day is just what this doctor orders. For cats, interactive toys such as feather dancers, laser lights or remote controlled toys can get even the laziest cat on its feet. Whatever activities you choose, just do it-doctor's orders.

Fetch Spring/Summer 2010

Meet Malibu

Meet Malibu! She is the newest addition to Vet Assistant, Nicolette's, family. She is a German Shepherd/Lab/Collie mix and is 5 months old . She was adopted through Frederick County Animal Shelter and has been in her forever home for 4 weeks. Her mother was 40lbs and her father was 50lbs putting her at a whopping 27lbs currently, so she is not going to get much bigger. Her favorite past times include running, chewing, playing fetch, trying to eat butterflies, and chasing the cat :) She is a very smart girl and knows how to sit and lay down (we are still in puppy class)! Just recently she was reunited with her sister, Cali, and brother, Patrick, from the litter and they had a fantastic play date full of wrestling! They are so funny, and kept everyone entertained! Needless to say they all slept very well that night!

Looking For Entertaining Toys for Your Cat or Dog?

Here are some of the cat and dog toys that we get great feedback on. Most of them come from a company called Premier and you can find them online.

For Cats/Kitties

These toys randomly dispense kibbles and treats and they are adjustable for different levels of play.

the Egg.Cersizer-

the Doorway Dangli

the Twist'N Treat

the Twist'N Treat Teaser

also - not made by premier is a toy called the CAT Dancer- it's an action cat toy that you can find at most pet stores



For Dogs/Puppies

These toys randomly dispense kibbles and treats and they are adjustable for different levels of play.

the Twist'N Treat

the Magic Mushroom

the Waggle

also- not made by premier are the Kong- it's a stuffable, durable toy that can be found at most pet stores.

These toys come in different sizes as well as puppy/kitten versions versus adults so you can choose a toy size that is appropriate for your fuzzy furry:)

If you have any questions or want recommendations just give KAH a call!

Getting Your Cat to the Veterinarian

The following tips will help make veterinary visits easier for you and your cat.

Understanding your Cat’s Behavior

• Cats are most comfortable with the familiar, and need time to adjust to the unfamiliar. The visit to the veterinarian is often difficult because the carrier, car, and the veterinary hospital are usually unfamiliar. Respect your cat’s need for time to become familiar with new situations, people and places.

• Stay calm. Cats can sense our anxiety or frustrations, which may cause them to become fearful or anxious.

• Cats do not learn from punishment or force. Give rewards to encourage positive behavior. For example, if your cat is sitting calmly in or near a carrier, give a treat. Likewise, rewards can be given to help your cat become familiar with the type of handling that may be encountered at the veterinarian (e.g., handling paws, ears and mouth). A treat is what is highly desirable to your cat, which may be in the form of food, play or affection. Be persistent and reward every time.

Helping Your Cat Become Comfortable with the Carrier

The goal is for your cat to learn to associate the carrier with positive experiences and routinely enter voluntarily.

• Make the carrier a familiar place at home by leaving it in a room where your cat spends a lot of time.

• Place familiar soft bedding inside the carrier. Bedding or clothing with your scent can make them feel more secure.

• Place treats, catnip or toys inside the carrier to encourage the cat to enter at home. Often, you will first see that treats are removed from the carrier during the night.

• It may take days or weeks before your cat starts to trust the carrier. Remain calm, patient and reward desired behaviors.

• If you still have trouble, you may need to assess the carrier itself.

Getting an Unwilling Cat into the Carrier

If your cat needs to go to the veterinarian right away, and is not yet accustomed to the carrier, the following may help:

• Start by putting the carrier in a small room with few hiding places. Bring the cat into the room and close the door. Move slowly and calmly. Do not chase the cat to get it into the carrier. Encourage the cat with treats or toys to walk into the carrier.

• If your cat will not walk into the carrier, and your carrier has an opening on the top, gently cradle your cat and lower it into the carrier. Another option is to remove the top half of your carrier while getting the cat to go into the bottom half, and then calmly replace the top.

• Use familiar bedding inside the carrier. Consider use of synthetic feline facial pheromone (Feliway®) analog spray in the carrier at least 30 minutes prior to transport to help calm the cat.

Coming Home – Keeping the Peace in a Multi-cat Household

Cats are very sensitive to smells, and unfamiliar smells can result in one cat no longer recognizing another. Aggressive behavior can occur when one cat senses another as a stranger. These suggestions can help avoid problems between cats following a veterinary visit:

• Leave the returning cat in the carrier for a few minutes to see how all of your cats react.

• If all cats appear calm and peaceful, let the returning cat out of the carrier.

• If you sense tension between the cats, or if previous home-comings have
resulted in conflict, keep the cat in the carrier and take it to a separate room to avoid potential injury from an upset cat. Provide food, water and litter box for a minimum of 24 hours while it regains the more familiar smell of home.

• If there is still stress after this time, contact your veterinarian for more advice on slower introduction or medication to help the process.

• A synthetic feline pheromone (Feliway®) can help provide the sense of familiarity.

• For future visits: – Use familiar bedding or clothing with your scent, as it retains the smell of home and helps with reintroduction. – Use a synthetic feline pheromone (Feliway®). – Bring both cats to the veterinary practice together. This can prevent
future conflict as both cats will carry the scent of the clinic.


For more information visit the American Association of Feline Practitioners website, http://www.catvets.com/. For a copy of the handout Getting Your
Cat to the Veterinarian , visit:
http://catvets.com/uploads/PDF/2011FelineFriendlyClientHandout.pdf

Smooches for Pooches & Kisses for Kittens

Show your love and support in this month of hearts and flowers to all our furry friends by making a donation
and...
Help Your Favorite Veterinary Practice Win
The First Annual Campaign!

Simply make a donation and write your pet's name on the slip.

At the end of February the office with the most slips will win lunch provided by Dutch's Daughter and Crossroads Animal Referral & Emergency!

All funds will be donated to area animal charities and for each slip returned, Crossroads Animal Referral and Emergency(CARE) will donate $1 as a matching contribution.

Dog Birthday Cake Recipes

Peanut Butter Delight Dog Birthday Cake

1 cup white or whole wheat flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 cup shredded carrots
1 tsp vanilla
1/3 cup honey
1 egg

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C)

Mix together flour and baking soda. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Pour into a ring mold sprayed with a nonstick spray for 40 minutes.

Frost this cake with low fat cottage cheese and decorate with carrot pieces. Store in refrigerator.

Banana Carob Chip Dog Birthday Cake
2 cups water
2 ripe bananas
1/8 tsp vanilla
3 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 Tbs baking powder
1 egg
2 Tbs honey
1/2 cup carob chips

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C)

In a mixing bowl combine water, bananas, vanilla, egg and honey. Add whole wheat flour and baking powder. Mix well. Pour mixture into an 8-inch cake pan sprayed with a nonstick spray. Sprinkle carob chips on top. Bake for 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Decorating suggestion: Make both the Cinnamon and Carob frostings (below), then ice the cake with one, and use the other as a decorative trim.

Cinnamon Frosting:

Combine the following ingredients and blend thoroughly:
12 ounces nonfat cream cheese (room temperature)
3 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp honey

Carob Frosting:

Combine the following ingredients and blend thoroughly:
12 ounces nonfat cream cheese (room temperature)
3 tsp carob
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp honey

Makes One 8-inch cake.




Banana Peanut Dog Birthday Party Cake

2/3 cup ripe mashed bananas
1/2 cup softened safflower margarine
3 large eggs
3/4 cup Water
2 cups unbleached white flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup chopped peanuts

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C)

In mixing bowl, beat together mashed banana and butter until creamy. Add eggs and water. Beat well. Stir in dry ingredients. Beat until smooth. Add nuts. Spoon batter evenly into oiled and floured bundt pan. Bake for about 35 minutes. Cool on wire rack 5 minutes, remove from pan, replace on rack and cool.

To make Banana Carob frosting, combine the following ingredients and blend thoroughly:

2 cups ripe banana, mashed
1 Tbs butter
6 Tbs carob powder
2 tsp vanilla
3 Tbs Unbleached flour
1 tsp cinnamon

Sprinkle with chopped peanuts and enjoy!!