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September 2023 www.surfacecreekveterinarycenter.com 970-856-4474
SCVC Pawprint A Silent Struggle HOW DEAFNESS AFFECTS OLDER DOGS Dogs don’t see the world the same way we do. While humans primarily navigate through sight, canines live by smell and sound. As a result, age-related hearing loss affects older dogs profoundly. I want to use Deaf Dog Awareness Week beginning on Sept. 24 to draw more pet owners’ attention to the issue. Experts believe 5%–10% of dogs in the U.S. suffer from hearing loss; the most common cause is old age. If you suspect your dog’s ability to hear is worsening, bring them in for a visit. We can check for build-up or infection in the ear and test for metabolic issues. Dogs don’t like to be startled; it’s a survival instinct. Therefore, it’s not uncommon for a dog to bite their owner after hearing loss. The person unwittingly walks up from behind the dog to pet them, the dog is afraid, and they react before they understand what’s happening. It’s frustrating and confusing for everyone until you realize what’s changed. Unfortunately, veterinarians can’t offer a cure. There are no canine hearing aids to restore their sensitivity to sound. The treatment for deafness in dogs is a shift in human behavior. You must make some adjustments to keep your hearing-impaired dog safe and happy.
A deaf dog is more likely to get into dangerous situations. They can’t hear cars whizzing by or their owners saying, “No.” So, you’ll need to be more protective. Only allow your hearing-impaired dog off-leash in a safe and enclosed area. You can teach a dog to respond to hand signals instead of verbal commands, and many pet owners find this training process helpful. In an urgent situation, stomping your foot on the floor can be a good way to get your dog’s attention; they often feel the vibrations through their feet. But the best thing you can do is help your dog feel secure. Always approach your pup from the front so they don’t feel threatened, and make sure they see you (or give them a light tap) as you enter and exit rooms. And for better or worse, you will probably need to get used to having a shadow. You’ve heard of a seeing-eye dog. When a person has a deaf dog, I like to say they’re now a hearing-ear human. Age-related hearing loss can be challenging, but a few adjustments can help your dog live out their remaining years happily.
But we can’t put headphones on a dog and ask him to raise his paw when he hears a sound. The only surefire way to confirm a dog’s deafness is with a neurological test. A veterinary neurologist attaches electrodes to the scalp to determine if the dog’s brain waves respond to the noises they play. But I would only recommend such a diagnostic test for a very young dog. With older dogs, we can make a medical assumption.
Common symptoms of deafness include a dog’s failure to react to their name, worsening obedience to commands, and heavier sleep. But hearing loss generally happens gradually, and most people don’t notice it. Instead, they often tell me, “My dog has become so clingy. She won’t let me out of her sight.” It’s one of the most common signs of canine deafness. You can’t sneak up on a blind dog; they’ll hear you coming. But startling a deaf dog is very easy. Dogs with hearing loss begin to follow their owners around because they’re anxious and less aware of their surroundings. Essentially, they want their humans to protect them.
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G eFt aYl l o- uRr eHa doym e The Best Companion SIMPLE, AFFORDABLE DIY PROJECTS YOU’LL LOVE Housewares stores are currently full of cute autumn decor, but the cost of refreshing your house’s look each season adds up quickly. Fortunately, you can do a lot for less. Many DIY crafts are not as complicated as you might think. In addition to saving money, you’ll create personalized charm none of your neighbors can match. Repurpose your pumpkins. Small gourds are incredibly versatile. Just sprinkling a few around your dining room table or mantle makes it feel like fall. But you can quickly elevate them using metallic paint to add cute designs, phrases, or names. Another option is to wrap seasonal fabric around them like a pouch, gathered at the stem. If you feel more ambitious, you can also use pumpkins to make succulent planters. Cut a crater in the top of the pumpkin, pop in the succulent and soil, and press the dirt until snug. Light up the night. The soft glow of a lantern or candle is the perfect way to get the cozy vibes started. Instead of succulents in the top of your pumpkin, you can set wax and a candle wick to create something unique. If you’re bored with pumpkins, try the same with acorn caps. An even simpler idea involves glazing real or fabric leaves on the outside of mason jars with craft glue. Then add decorative stones and a wax or battery-operated tealight for a seasonal twinkle. Decorate your door. Wreaths are a DIY staple for several reasons. They’re easy for beginners to make and can set the tone for your home by offering visitors an autumnal focal point. You can buy a variety of starter wreaths at the craft store, so find one that suits your taste. Then pick up other supplies like leaves, pine cones, dried corn, and ribbon. Now you’re ready to hot glue to your heart’s content and create something distinctive. If you need further ideas, look closer the next time you shop. Many of the fun fall items for sale aren’t very difficult to make yourself with a few minor adjustments and a little creativity.
You've heard the saying, "Cats have nine lives," and while there are countless tales of cats falling from trees or high-above windows, one cat put this theory to the test, earning himself the name "Unsinkable Sam." Sam's original name was "Oscar," and his legacy began aboard the Bismarck, one of the two first-class Nazi battleships in World War II. The Bismarck (with Sam) was launched on Feb. 14, 1939, and soon after engaged in battle with The Prince of Wales, an Allied battleship. The Nazi ship was severely damaged in this battle and ultimately sunk. Only 118 of the 2,200 crew members survived, plus Sam. The British destroyer HMS Cossack found Sam floating on a board hours later, and they promptly scooped him up and welcomed him aboard. Sam had officially switched sides to the Allied forces. Now on the right side of history, Sam lived with the British crew for the next few months as they performed convoy escort duties — until a torpedo struck the HMS Cossack in October 1941, killing all 139 members aboard. Except for Sam. Once again, Sam clung to a wooden plank and floated safely to the nearby shore of Gibraltar, a British Overseas Territory. British service members who found him ashore put two and two together and realized the cat — the very one their fellow servicemen saved in 1939 — was the only survivor of HMS Cossack, earning him the nickname "Unsinkable Sam." The group in Gibraltar was from the HMS Ark Royal crew, and of course, they loaded Sam aboard when it was time to launch. But as Sam's luck would have it, a torpedo struck the HMS Ark Royal just a month later, leaving him once again clinging to a floating plank near a boat launch back in Gibraltar. Luckily, Sam's boating days were over, and he was honorably transferred to the position of "mouse hunter" in the building of the governor-general in Gibraltar. Eventually, the British restationed their favorite floating feline to a "home for sailors" in Belfast, where he lived for the rest of his days until his peaceful passing in 1955. UT hnes Si ntkoar yb loe fSa m HOW A WWII CAT SURVIVED 3 SHIP SINKINGS:
Sam's story may not officially prove cats have nine lives, but it makes at least three seem likely!
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THE POWER OF THE WAG How Dogs Use Body Language to Communicate The tail might be the best window into a dog’s soul. There’s no evidence that dogs have a complex verbal language, so they primarily communicate with others through their bodies. While their tails aren’t the only tool dogs use to convey information, the tail plays the most critical role in advertising their emotions.
it’s how many dog bites happen to small children. Tail movements can also communicate anxiety, submission, fear, and other emotions.
For example, many dogs lower their tails and wag them slowly when in trouble. It’s how they submit to their owners and show they’re contrite. A slow wag usually indicates hesitation or insecurity. Meanwhile, a dog who wags their tail very quickly could be particularly excited to play or show they’re ready to attack. Attention to other cues is crucial to fully understanding your dog’s message. At the same time, we may never completely understand how dogs communicate with each other. But research provides us with some clues. A 2013 study found that a tail’s position can share more complex information with another dog. Specifically, a dog that wags its tail slightly to the right usually indicates positive emotions, while a left- leaning wag is generally negative. Dogs understand these subtleties. They relax while observing another dog with a right-leaning tail wag and adopt aggressive postures when faced with left-dominant movement. Who knows what other secret messages they might be passing back and forth?
Clien th ts e SWpr o e r a d ding Most people will say a dog’s wagging tail indicates happiness, but that’s not necessarily true. Excitement and joy are probably the most common reasons dogs wag their tails, particularly if they’re well cared for. But assuming a dog with a wagging tail is excited to be pet is dangerous — Just as humans aren’t born knowing how to speak, puppies don’t intuitively know dogs’ shared language. They must learn it from their mothers and siblings. Once they reach the right developmental stage, dogs observe other canines and begin mimicking how they communicate.
While the tail does much of the heavy lifting, watching for signs from their ears and eyes is crucial. Observing a dog’s body language is the best way to understand their thoughts and feelings — and avoid a potentially dangerous misunderstanding.
LPautmt e pf ko irnDSopgi cs e Inspired by CookingWithJanica.com
Tara Sayers Eric Twitty Roxanne Kempf Maura Quinn Brandon Dowell Cydney Jones Curtis McCrackin Braidy Kirkman
Fall is here, which means it’s time to bring on the pumpkin spice lattes! But some sweet treats are better when you can share them with your furry friends. So this season, whip up this pup-friendly pumpkin spice latte so you and your pooch can celebrate the season together!
INGREDIENTS
• • •
Dash of ground cinnamon Dash of ground ginger
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1 cup goat’s milk or unsweetened coconut milk
Organic xylitol-free whipped cream
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1 cup pumpkin purée
DIRECTIONS
1. In a blender, place all ingredients and blend until mixture is thick and creamy, about 1 minute. 2. Into a small dish, pour about 3–6 oz of the mixture (depending on your dog’s size). Top with whipped cream and serve! TIP: Place the rest in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep for about a week!
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Is Your Dog Struggling to Hear? inside this issue
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Unsinkable Sam: The Feline Hero of WWII
Simple, Affordable DIY Projects You’ll Love
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What's in a Wag? The Intricate Language of Dog Tails
Pumpkin Spice Latte for Dogs
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Money-Saving Hacks for Your Fall Garden
Grow a Thriving Garden While Saving Money While Saving Money New Appointment Cancellation Policy When you cancel with less than 24-hour notice, we now require a prepaid $50 deposit to reschedule. If you keep your rescheduled appointment, we will apply the deposit to your veterinary bill. If you miss your rescheduled appointment, the fee is nonrefundable. BE SURE TO FOLLOW THESE STEPS!
Step 2: Add sticks and small logs. Similar to cardboard, adding sticks and logs will prevent weeds and other invasive plants from growing in your garden. And these limbs and twigs will provide much-needed bulk, minimizing the amount of soil needed to fill your containers. Step 3: Sprinkle grass clippings and shredded leaves. Nitrogen and carbon are essential to any garden because plants need nutrients to grow. While you can purchase nitrogen fertilizer at the store, recycling grass clippings and shredded leaves is a cheaper and environmentally friendly alternative. You can also toss food scraps on this layer for additional nutrients! Step 4: Top with soil and compost. Finally, you can begin adding your soil. Because the bed is filled with other materials, you won’t need as much! After applying a good amount of soil, you can add compost to the mix if desired. Once everything is to your liking and your beds are full of soil and nutrients, you’re ready to plant. Happy harvesting, everyone!
While it may be the fall season now, the temperature is still warm enough to encourage root growth for a garden! During the fall, you can plant blueberries, broccoli, garlic, radishes, spinach, lettuce, and several flowers such as asters, calendulas, and cosmos. However, planting can become expensive, especially if you have large metal raised beds for your garden. It may take several bags of soil to fill your garden bed, which can quickly put a dent in your wallet. Is there anything you can do to save money? Yes! Follow these four steps and watch your garden — and greenbacks —flourish.
Step 1: Lay down cardboard. After setting up your raised garden bed, add a layer of
cardboard (any type of cardboard will do) to the bottom of it. This layer will prevent weeds
lurking in the dirt underneath the cardboard from sprouting and growing in the soil you will add later.
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