It’s that time of year again. Most of us have over-indulged both ourselves and our pets, so it is time to come up with some New Year’s resolutions to ease the guilt we carry from the previous couple of weeks (or the whole year, for that matter).
So here it is; resolutions you need to add to your list to be a better pet owner in 2007, understanding that you were already a good pet owner in 2006 (or you wouldn’t be getting this email!).
Exercise your pet daily. Nothing is better for you and your pet. Even a short walk improves metabolism and helps you and your pet to bond. If it’s cold, especially for small or short-haired breeds, a sweater helps them to maintain normal body heat.
Keep your pet current on all vaccinations. Preventative medicine is the easiest (and cheapest) medicine. For information on suggested vaccinations, look at our website at www.eberleanimalhospital.com under wellness packages or call us at 727-5757 to make an appointment for a New Year wellness consultation for your pet. Mention this email and get that consultation free of charge throughout the month of January.
Keep your pet on monthly heartworm preventative. Most of you know dogs get heartworm, but remember that cats also get this disease. Heartworm infestation is dangerous. Heartworm cure is painful for the pet and expensive for the owner. Untreated pets die and treated dogs and cats go through weeks of illness while the worms are killed and expelled from their bodies. Heartworm prevention is reasonably priced, easy to administer and good for your pet!
Take care of your pet’s teeth. Daily brushing is great, or for those for whom that is impractical, weekly treatments with Oravet will also do the trick. Oravet is a weekly coating of your pet’s teeth with a gel. Also, dogs and cats, like people need their teeth cleaned and polished every year. February is National Pet Dental Month. Resolve now to make an appointment to get your pet’s teeth cleaned in February and receive 20% off dentals for the month of February.
Protect all of your pets against fleas and ticks. We recommend monthly treatments from April first through November. Frontline and Advantage are effective, safe, and easy to use and are available at our hospital. Fleas can actually kill a dog or cat if the infestation is severe. Your pet may be the unlucky recipient of a tapeworm infestation, which are harmful because they attach to the lining of the intestines and rob your pet of valuable nutrients or get fleabite dermatitis.
Groom your pet regularly. Use shampoo made specifically for pets. If it’s too much of a hassle for you at home, drop your pet off and let us give them a good bath and brush-out or better yet, a spa treatment. Check the website or call the clinic for details! This will help minimize shedding and keep their coat and skin shiny and healthy. For excessive shedders, consider one of our Furmination treatments. It works very well. As a New Year’s special for you, we will take 10% off all furmination treatments in the month of January.
Minimize treats and scraps. Human food is not a good idea for your pet. Remember that chocolate, onions, raisins, grapes, bones, fatty foods, and food in excess present potential danger for your pets. If you must treat pets with food, consider Lean Treats, only seven calories per treat and available at the hospital for both dogs and cats.
Pet-proof your living quarters. Make sure that things like string, anti-freeze, and cleaning agents are not accessible to your pet. Many household items, such as chocolate, house plants, and prescription drugs are toxic and could kill your animal.
Take all of your new puppies to an obedience class. Get them and you off to a good start before the bad habits go untrained. Call us for a recommendation if you need one.
Spay and Neuter your new pet as soon as possible. Not only does this control the animal population, but is the healthy alternative for your pet. Spaying or neutering also greatly reduces the risk of such conditions as testicular/breast cancer, uterine infection, and anal tumors.
Trust us for all of your pet questions and concerns. Friends and relatives always are anxious to give advice, but it may be incorrect. Your furry family member deserves the best pet care available and we promise to deliver quality medical care in partnership with you, their owners, to ensure a healthy and happy 2007.
In closing, I want to wish all of our clients and their families a wonderful 2007 filled with good health for all family members. We at Eberle Animal Hospital have appreciated your business over the last year. Oh, and one of my resolutions this next year is to get tough with Midge and Lola and not give them every new outfit they see. One party dress a year is plenty! It will probably be a tough promise to keep, but it will be good at least until next month.
Please visit us at www.eberleanimalhospital.com, or call us at 515-727-5757
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