March 2011

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How to get your cat to love its carrier.

March 19, 2011 in Client Education by Lisa

We regularly hear from our clients how much of a wrestling match it can be when trying to place their cats in carriers. Fortunately, this process needn’t always be a battle of wills! According to this Baltimore Sun article, the solution  is desensitization.

Q: I’ve thrown in the towel. I can’t get our cat, Chico, to go to the vet. I don’t get it because once he’s there he tolerates the exam. But as soon as the carrier comes out of the closet, Chico checks out. It’s impossible to get him into the thing anymore. Any advice? — V.S., Orlando, FL

A: Many cat owners can sympathize with your problem. The good news is, desensitizing and counter-conditioning most cats to their carriers is possible, although it takes time.

Begin with a new carrier, and choose a type with a top that can be lifted off, so you never have to ‘dump’ Chico out the door.

Leave the carrier out as if it’s a piece of furniture. Periodically, toss treats inside, or place a sampling of tuna, sardines or salmon inside. It’s best if Chico doesn’t see these goodies are coming from you. And don’t overdo it; you don’t want a tubby tabby. The idea is for the carrier to become an inviting treat dispenser. Once Chico feels more comfortable about the carrier, begin feeding him inside the carrier.

Once you’ve established this routine, toss a treat inside the carrier, let Chico run in, and close the door. Then pick up the carrier and calmly put it down. Open the door and place Chico’s dinner inside. Eventually, he’ll learn that a meal follows a trip in the carrier. Cats can be trained with a command to run into a carrier, knowing dinner will follow. Or Chico may even remind you it’s time for dinner by meowing from inside his carrier!

Next, put Chico in the carrier and place the carrier in the car. Turn on the ignition. If Chico panics, back up a step; you don’t want to reward that behavior. Hopefully, Chico will be fine driving to the end of the driveway, then returning home for a meal. Again, the hope is Chico will associate a trip and the carrier with mealtime.

After a few driveway jaunts, try running a quick errand with Chico in his carrier. My guess is, he’ll accept the ride. Spray Feliway into the carrier 30 minutes before placing Chico inside. By this point, you may even be asking him to jump in the carrier on your request.

Via The Baltimore Sun

New Parasite Protection For Dogs

March 12, 2011 in Client Education by Lisa

Campus Veterinary Clinic is pleased to announce we are carrying a new anti-parasitic medication for dogs. Trifexis is a monthly oral tablet that prevents fleas,  heartworm and intestinal parasites.

Trifexis combines spinosad and milbemycin oxime in one preventative tablet. Previously our clients had to buy two different medications to cover such a broad range of parasites. We are phasing out Sentinel (milbemycin oxime/lufenuron) as part of our in clinic inventory. These medications will remain available through online pharmacies like Vetcentric should you wish to continue using them.

If you have questions about Trifexis and whether it is right for your dog, please give us a call at 510-549-1252. Our staff are more than happy to assist you with any concerns you may have.

Wellness Canned Cat Food Recall

March 5, 2011 in Food Recalls by Lisa

The Wellness Pet Company has issued a voluntary recall of certain lots of their canned cat food due to less than adequate levels of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine).

WellPet has recalled some of its Wellness canned cat food after finding less than adequate levels of thiamine.

Cats fed only the affected brands for several weeks may be at risk of developing thiamine deficiency, the Monterey County Health Department said Friday.

The products affected in the recall are all Wellness canned cat food with best by dates from April 14, 2013, through Sept. 20, 2013.  Also affected is the Wellness canned chicken and herring with best by dates from Nov. 10, 2013, or Nov. 17, 2013.

Thiamine is essential for cats.  Early symptoms of deficiency may include decreased appetite, salivation, vomiting and weight loss.  In advanced cases, neurological symptoms can develop, including bending of the neck toward the floor, wobbly walking, circling, falling and seizures.

Consumers with products affected by the recall are urged to stop using them and call their veterinarian if their cat is displaying any of the above symptoms.

Consumers with questions can call WellPet at 877-227-9587 from 6 a.m.-4 p.m. PT Monday through Friday or visit the company website at www.wellnesspetfood.com.

via KSBW.com

Campus Critter Of The Month (March)

March 3, 2011 in Campus Critter of The Month by Lisa

We proudly present to you Miss “Trinket” Hurst. This 7lb canine charmer comes to us by way of Oakland. She is a Chihuahua mix that beguiles most anyone she meets. Despite her age, she is sprightly and and full of moxie.

Her human (Karen) has been kind enough to share with us a little more about what makes this girl tick.

Likes: Walks. Walks. More walks! Cat food. Lots of naps. Piles of blankets to sleep on.

Dislikes: Being hugged too tightly (who doesn’t?). Having her paws touched. Being informed that her walk is over.

Campus Veterinary Clinic is proud to have Trinket as a patient and the whole team here all agree that she’s a stellar patient!

NAPS RULE!

Newsletter (Spring)

March 2, 2011 in Client Education, Newsletters by Lisa

Kitten & Puppy Season is Here!
Kitten and puppy season is well upon us and whether you have recently added a new friend to your family or are considering it, Campus Vet Clinic can help you with every step of the process.  Whether you have adopted a pet from a local shelter/agency or have gone through a breeder, our well trained staff can help counsel  you on everything from house-training and diets to vaccines and spay/neuter surgeries.  We are a full service veterinary hospital that strives to provide the highest quality of medical and surgical care possible for its patients-especially the youngest ones.  We use the safest anesthesia protocols when performing spays/neuters/dentals and no patient is ever left unattended.

We also offer wellness packages for both kittens and puppies.  These packages get your new pet started on all of the necessary preventative health care that he or she will need to stay healthy and happy for the first year of their lives.  This includes the initial series of vaccines (usually a set of 3 including rabies), the physical exams, intestinal parasite screening and dewormings.  There is also a welcome kit that provides you with lots of helpful information about flea control, diets, etc.  The packages are also completely customizable, should your kitten or puppy have received a set of vaccines from the shelter or breeder prior to your adoption.  We can tailor the package to suit his or her needs and adjust the cost accordingly.

For full details about our packages you can CLICK HERE.

How to Puppy Proof Your Home

By Eric Letendre

Instructions

1. Puppies will chew on everything.  Everything.  Electrical wires, trash, children’s toys, TV remotes, etc.  Put them away in closets or out of reach.

2. Walk around your house and look at every room.  Anything that is within reach of your puppy’s mouth should be noted.

3. Make sure that anything within reach is put away, placed somewhere higher or removed altogether.  This goes for trash cans, potted plants, place mats, etc.

4. Puppies can cause a lot of damage.  Don’t give your puppy the opportunity to chew and destroy your belongings.

5. Part of puppy proofing is managing your dog’s behavior.  We highly recommend using crates and baby gates while your puppy is learning the rules of the house.

6. Managing your puppy’s behavior is important.  Using a crate is not cruel.  A crate can actually save  your puppy’s life.  A puppy left unattended can chew on electrical cords, choke on toys or get into dangerous toxins.

Tips & Warnings

  • Puppy proofing is done until your dog learns what is acceptable to chew on
  • Keeping a close eye on your puppy is important
  • Common sense is the easiest way to puppy proof
  • Don’t leave your puppy unattended

Common Household Dangers

  • Chocolate
  • Onions
  • Garlic
  • Raisins
  • Grapes
  • Azaleas
  • Calla Lilies
  • Oleander
  • Antifreeze
  • Tea
  • Coffee
  • Sugar-free Gum
  • Garbage
  • Medications

Resources

How to Kitten Proof your Home

By Simon Yen VMD

Instructions

  • Guard open flames.  Purchase a burner cover for stove-top, and never leave a kitten in a room alone with a lit candle or a fireplace.
  • Cover or remove items that may be chewed.  Many kittens will chew     curtain tie-backs and window blind cords.  Remove them, cover them or place them out of reach of your cat.  Cats can swallow several yards of   ribbon or string, which will require surgical removal.  Carefully inspect cat toys, and remove tails that may come loose and be swallowed.  Keep any sewing baskets or fishing tackle boxes out of the reach of your kitten.  Rubber bands and hair ties must be kept safely out of reach.
  • Move any cleaning products off the floor or counter tops and store them away in a safe place.
  • To avoid a pile of shredded toilet paper, put the roll of toilet paper into a    covered container.
  • Be careful with recliners and fold-out beds.  Kittens can get stuck up under the sofa cushions, down into the bedsprings, or underneath them and get crushed or suffocate.
  • Kittens die every day by accidently getting shut inside dish washers,  washing machines, clothes dryers, stoves, and dresser drawers.  Always check before closing them.
  • Wherever you decide to allow your kitten to play or sleep, tuck all electrical cords up and out of reach.  Kittens don’t tend to chew as much as puppies,  but they do play-attack and bite nearly everything.  Electric cords can be    particularly tempting, and bitten cords can result in severe burns or even death.  You can go to a local hardware or electric store and buy some  flexible tubing to wrap the cords in or simply tape them down to the floor.
  • Certain indoor plants can be irritating or poisonous if chewed or eaten.  The following is a website that gives you an alphabetized list of houseplants that are poisonous  to your cat including what types of symptoms you might expect and a photograph of each plant.

Watch your kitten closely for the first week.  He or she will let you know if there is anything you have  forgotten to kitten-proof.  These easy steps can minimize the risks for your new kitten.  Look through  the eyes of a cat when determining potential problem areas around your home.

PRINT OUT! CLIP OUT!