Ask A Vet: Fireworks and Thunderstorms- Loud Noise Phobias in Pets - Woodridge, IL Patch

 Dr. Amy Van Tassel has been practicing in the Chicago suburbs since graduating from the University of Illinois in 2000. Dr. Amy Blogs on the PATCH in Woodridge. We are indeed Proud to Have her as a part of our Blog aslo. You will find a link to her website  and how to ASK a Question or contact her below.

Credits : Dr. Amy Van Tassel, DMV- Woodridge Animal Hospital

Spring and summer in the Midwest can be a rough time for pets scared of loud noises. Not only do we have the 4th of July, a day (sometimes week) that centers around fireworks, but we also have regular thunderstorms.
Even though it's a normal instinct for animals to fear loud noises, many pets experience excessive anxiety, particularly when it comes to fireworks and thunderstorms. Pets show anxiety in many different ways, the more significant include panting, pacing, whining, howling, trembling, digging, drooling, or even destroying things.
The most important thing you can do to help a pet cope with anxiety is to ignore them. Most people who have a pet showing signs of anxiety will try to calm them by petting and speaking reassuringly to them in a quiet, calm voice. While intentions are good, unfortunately this is the worst thing for an anxious pet. The reality is that the pet has no idea what is being said. Instead, they only know that by behaving the way they are (fearful and anxious), they receive all sorts of wonderful attention and praise. This only serves to reenforce the behavior and often will make the reactions more intense. Some pets will start to react to lightning instead of just the thunder, to light rain showers, or even to barametric pressure changes.

What you should do: Limit your pet's exposure to the noise. Let her have access to the area she feels most safe. This is often in a room without windows like the bathroom, a closet, or under a bed. Close curtains to prevent visibility of the conditions outside and have some background noise, like music or the television to dull the sounds of thunder or fireworks. And most importantly, do not give your pet any attention, this includes eye contact, touch, or talking to her. She can follow you or lay near you, just don't give her any attention unless she's calm.
If the things mentioned above alone don't help, talk to your veterinarian about other options available including pheromones, thundershirts, medications, and instructions on ways to teach your pet to relax.

If you have a question or would like me to cover a topic in this blog, please e-mail me at dr.amy@woodridgeanimalhospital.com.

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Tips on Keeping Kool

Something to check before you call the AC repair man

Downers Grove Pet Agent

If you feel you Air Conditioner is not keeping up inside, with the Hot outside, You may want to check out your Whole House Humidifier and make sure it is UNPLUGGED. Putting humidity into the air wile the A/C unit is working to remove it.. is well.. Not Cool.
Sometimes the controls upstairs get stuck and do not shut the unit down!

 

Overweight Dogs | Pet and Animal News

 Can My Dog Lose Weight?

Overweight Dogs: Can My Dog Lose Weight?
Although a fat, pudgy dog can be super cute, if your dog is carrying excess weight, he may be suffering physically. Many dogs are prone to be overweight or even obese. Other dogs may simply be suffering from a lack of exercise, or may be eating the wrong types of food. Perhaps your veterinarian has recommended that your dog drop a few pounds. If your dog is overweight, you can help him to lose some excess doggie flab. Obese dogs, just like obese humans, don’t live as long as their slimmer counterparts. And as the dog’s owner, it is up to you to keep him properly fed, socialized, and exercised. The tips that follow can help your porky dog to get healthier.

Feeding Your Dog
Just as we humans can fall into a pattern of eating the wrong things, your dog can fall into the same patterns – albeit you are the one who is feeding him. If you are feeding him from the table or table scraps, this can be detrimental to your dog’s health. A large dog needs two or three small meals each day instead of one big feast. Feed your dog a healthy dog food that is enriched with vitamins and minerals. Until you find a brand of healthy dog food that your dog will actually eat, purchase the smallest bag available in each brand. Your veterinarian can help you select good choices when it comes to healthy food for your dog to eat during its “diet”. After finding the right kind of dog food for your beefy dog, you can then start adding crushed veggies (steamed beforehand) to their food. Many people automatically assume that dogs only like meats, eggs, and so on, but lots of dogs enjoy vegetables and they can get a lot of extra minerals and vitamins from veggies that can help them shed excess weight.

Exercising Your Dog
Food adjusted, its time for the fun part – exercising your dog. Leash your dog and head out to the nearest park for some quality running, walking, and playing. Allow the dog ample time to rest during his exercise periods. Keep a portable dog bowl and plenty of water for the dog so that he doesn’t become overheated. Slowly add a longer course to your daily jaunts and walk for a longer period of time. Aim to get a minimum of thirty minutes of exercise each day. If you have a pool, don’t forget that your dog is a natural swimmer – and swimming is a great exercise for weight loss. Varying your dog’s workout will keep both you and the dog entertained, which means that you will have a greater success rate.

Reward Your Dog with Praise and Love
While doggie is dieting, it is important to avoid giving him any additional treats. Many dog treats are laden with fat and are not even that filling. Instead, reward your dog for a job well done with loads of praise and lots of love. Rub him, pat him, and give him a big kiss – but don’t make food a reward as it will just encourage his poor nutritional habits.

Article Provided by Pet and Animal News.

This news story is independently sourced and PetPeoplesPlace.com does not specifically endorse products or services offered by any company referenced in this article, or benefit from any association with any companies referenced.

Why Does My Dog . . . Like to Stick His Head Out the Car Window? - Vetstreet

By Linda Fiorella | April 26, 2012

Anyone who's been in a convertible with the top down can relate to the look of happiness on a dog who's peering out a car window, his ears rippling in the wind.

Despite the obvious dangers involved, it can be hard to deny such joy to your pet. But what makes car windsurfing so appealing to dogs in the first place? And just how dangerous is it?

 

Canines Who Love Car Windows

Dr. Kelly Moffat, a board-certified veterinary behaviorist and medical director of the VCA Mesa Animal Hospital, offers a few theories on why some dogs relish sticking their heads out of vehicle windows.

“First and foremost, they like it! Simple as that,” Dr. Moffat says, adding that “putting their head out the window gets them closer to all the exciting happenings outside of the car.”

According to Dr. Moffat, things like a wider view of the passing scenery and increased accessibility to enticing scents outside the moving vehicle can be irresistible to an animal whose sense of smell is so much more sensitive than ours.

Dr. Moffat adds that, contrary to popular belief, not all dogs enjoy riding in cars with their heads out the window. “These dogs may have motion sickness," she says. "Or they may be fearful of the car and the motions and sounds associated with the drive.”

 

The Dangers to Your Dog

If your dog is one of those pups who can't wait for you to roll down the window, Dr. Moffat offers this stern warning: “The dangers can include a dog jumping out the window or rolling the window up on himself, as well as eye injuries from flying debris, such as stones and dirt.”

Dr. Moffat stresses that dogs should always be properly restrained, either in a crate or with a pet seat-belt harness, whenever they're in a moving vehicle — even if the windows are up. “The driver doesn't need to have a pet crawling in their lap, nor should the pet be launching itself from the back to the front, running back and forth on the back seat, getting under the gas pedal or accidentally rolling that window down,” she says.

If you can’t resist allowing your dog some of the thrill of a breezy drive, Dr. Moffat suggests having someone sit with a seat belt-restrained dog in the back seat, while you drive the car slowly through the neighborhood. “But once you're on major streets and driving over 25 mph, the dog should be in a seat belt for safety,” she says.

Article Courtesy of Linda Fiorella and Vetstreet

Why Does My Dog... Lean on Me? - Vetstreet

 

By Dr. Patty Khuly | November 8, 2011

Is your dog a leaner? It’s a common enough issue. Most serial dog owners are likely to have lived with one at some point.

But it’s not just leaning. It’s also standing on your feet, hugging your legs during a walk, and sleeping with the maximum amount of shared surface area in contact.

Some authorities would have you believe your dog is trying to dominate you with her weight. Others might say you’re being manipulated by a poorly socialized, misbehaving suck-up who knows how to push your buttons. But the truth is something else.

In most cases this is affection-seeking behavior, plain and simple. Dogs love to cuddle. And if the person you want to cuddle with is always sitting and standing, then cuddling takes the form of leaning on her or sitting on her shoes as she taps away at the keyboard.

Add that to the fact that dogs –– pack animals that they are –– are fond of close contact as a safety measure, and you’ve got a great rationale for your dog’s lean-on-a-leg approach to life.

Article Courtesy of  Dr. Patty Khuly and Vetstreet

ASPCA | Tips for a Pet-Safe Easter!

 

With Easter right around the corner, our experts want to remind pet parents of a few holiday dangers.

• Beware of Easter lilies. These toxic plants can be fatal if ingested by our furry friends.
• Keep candy bunnies in check—chocolate goodies are toxic to cats, dogs and ferrets. And any treats containing xylitol an artificial sweetener used in many candies, chewing gum and baked goods—may be toxic too!
• Decorations can be dangerous, especially Easter tinsel. Kitties love to nibble colorful plastic grass, which can lead to an obstructed digestive tract, severe vomiting and dehydration.
• Baby chicks and rabbits are not Easter gifts. While these festive babies are adorable, resist the urge to buy; they grow up fast and often require specialized care! Thousands of ex-Easter bunnies and chicks are abandoned each year when their novelty wears off.

For more pet safety tips, please visit our Pet Care section.

ASPCA | Tips for a Pet-Safe Easter!

Why Does My Dog . . . Walk in a Circle Before Lying Down? – Vetstreet By Denise Maher | March 19, 2012

 

                                                       Many dogs will circle around a spot before they settle down to rest. While no one can be certain of the exact reason why canines do this, the ritual is likely a residual habit from the days when wolflike dogs lived out in the wild, says veterinary behaviorist Dr. Karen Sueda, DVM, of the VCA West Los Angeles Animal Hospital.

Your dog’s ancestors had to sleep outside, in the elements, without much warmth or safety. Walking around a spot was a way to stamp down grass, leaves or snow and create a soft, level surface — something akin to carving out a nest.

 

Circle There and Dig This

After she circles, does your dog scratch at the bedding or carpeting before curling up? Just like circling, the digging action is probably an ancestral behavior related to staying safe and comfortable.

In extreme heat, digging a hole was a way to reduce a dog’s body temperature by surrounding herself with cool soil that could help regulate body heat. When it was cold — or even freezing — climbing into a hole allowed a dog to retain body heat and keep cozy.

So why haven’t our pampered house pets evolved away from these behaviors?

Don’t worry — circling is not a sign that your pet has heard the call of the wild. Adaptive behaviors tend to linger long after they’ve lost their usefulness if there’s nothing to discourage them or “select against the habit,” Dr. Sueda says

.

When Circling Could Be Cause for Concern

Restlessness can be a sign of discomfort or even pain. If your dog is repeatedly circling and digging but can’t seem to get comfortable, she may have a health problem, such as arthritis or neurological problems.

You should observe your pet to see if she’s having trouble getting up and settling down. If she’s restless, take her to the vet to rule out pain and get a proper diagnosis.