Everyone knows that February 14th is a time to think of love, but what you might not know is that February is Responsible Pet Ownership Month! Our furry friends rely on us to provide shelter, food and water, take care of their medical needs and of course, provide lots of love. To show your pet the same love that they show you, think about how you meet the needs of your pet. Does your pet get the exercise that they need? Are they fed a high quality diet and in portions that optimize their health? Do they see the vet on an annual basis who can assess their health and offer suggestions to keep them at their best? These are the key components which define a responsible pet parent. February is also dental health awareness month. Call us for a dental evaluation!
The one thing all pets have in common is the need for a highly nutritious diet. We recommend Purina Pro Plan for all of our patients because Purina has a wide selection of nutritional options ranging from therapeutic diets for pets with complex health issues to well pet formulas that are designed to meet the nutritional needs of dogs and cats in each stage of their life. Purina’s therapeutic diets can help manage dermatological, kidney, heart, GI, weight and allergy issues. If you want to learn more about a well pet or a veterinary formula diet please call our office at 585-889-8340. To shop, visit https://www.proplanvetdirect.com/ and enter our clinic’s code: JOH9J
This month you may decide to treat yourself or a loved one to some chocolate. While this is a delicious treat for us, keep in mind that this delicious treat is toxic to our pets! Chocolate contains a chemical called theobromine which dogs and cats can not metabolize. Clinical signs of chocolate toxicity include vomiting, diarrhea, increased thirst, panting, and a racing heart rate and seizures. Call us immediately if you suspect chocolate toxicity. If this is after hours, visit our website at https://riversidepet.com/useful-links/ to view a list of emergency hospitals.
Giving your pet safe treats does not come without risk. Pets eager to gobble up their goodies can run the risk of choking. Your pet may begin to cough to try and expel the object stuck in their throat. If you see your pet in distress it is important to remain calm, but act immediately. Open their mouth and look for the foreign object. If you see it, try to swipe it away with your finger. If you are unable to remove it, perform the Heimlich Maneuver. Once your pet has stopped choking, call us for further evaluation.
It seems like the snow has finally arrived and is here to stay! Exposure to the winter elements can cause chapped paws and itchy, flaky skin. Winter walks can be dangerous if ice melting chemicals are licked off bare paws. Minimize the time your pet spends outdoors and make sure to dry your pet as soon as they come inside. Keep your dog’s coat just long enough to provide warmth but minimize clinging snow and ice. Smaller dogs or dogs with shorter hair will benefit from wearing a coat or a sweater. You can massage petroleum jelly on their paws before going outside to help protect their pads. Just remember, if it’s too cold for you, it is probably too cold for your pet!
During these cold months we can’t hibernate like bears, so we wish you warmth and good health this winter season!
Sincerely,
Your Riverside Family
