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November 2025 surfacecreekveterinarycenter.com 970-856-4474
SCVC Pawprint
Holiday Treat Rules for 4-Legged Friends Turkey, Gravy, and Tummy Trouble
One may argue that you can never have too much fun over the holidays, but as a wise pundit once said, nothing brings more pain than too much pleasure. That saying is true when sharing rich holiday food with pets. Many of the foods we love to enjoy this time of year can be harmful or potentially deadly for our pets, causing them to get sick and even develop serious diseases. We understand that slipping Max or Buddy a tasty treat under the table is just people’s way of trying to include them in the holiday fun, but turkey and other rich foods can trigger a severe reaction in your dog’s digestive tract. Every year at our clinic, we treat pets who have raided the garbage, enjoyed far too much of a turkey carcass, or have been receiving too many table scraps from well-meaning humans. This can lead to pancreatitis, an inflammation of the organ that secretes enzymes that break down sugars and fats in your pet’s digestive tract. The enzymes secreted by the pancreas aren’t supposed to become active until they reach the small intestine. But when pancreatitis develops, the enzymes become active immediately, causing pain, inflammation, and damage to surrounding organs and the pancreas.
Be aware of potential warning signs. Your dog might throw up a few times a day, hunch their back when walking, or appear lethargic or bloated. They might refuse to eat, even when offered their favorite treats. Symptoms of pancreatitis also include abdominal pain and dehydration. In cats, pancreatitis may not be linked to any identifying trigger or cause, but they show many of the same symptoms as dogs. Feline pancreatitis may be a secondary problem to inflammatory bowel disease or diabetes. If you suspect your pet may have pancreatitis, it is important to see your vet immediately. Treating this potentially fatal condition can require hospitalization on IV fluids and other therapies for at least 48 hours. Many people are unaware of these risks, and they might try to give your dog a nibble of their turkey or a bite of their potatoes with gravy while you look the other way. And your pet may be a willing co-conspirator, turning those big brown eyes on your guest with a soulful, pleading gaze. But what seem like small snacks can rapidly add up to enough rich, high-fat foods to send your beloved pet to the vet for emergency care! Setting limits may not be the role you’re looking for this Thanksgiving, but doing so could avert a lot of pain and suffering down the road. Ask family members not to give your pets human food, explain the potential consequences, and do whatever it takes to make sure your message sticks: Put a note up in the kitchen, hang a sign that says “Don’t feed me” around your dog’s neck, give your dog an alternate treat, or just move them to a different room while the family eats. While your pet may look and act disappointed, remember that you are protecting them from serious pain down the road. Meanwhile, at our house this Thanksgiving, we will be grateful to all our pet parents for being part of our community. I wish you and your loved ones (including the four-legged ones with fur) a happy, healthy Thanksgiving!
–Dr. Jeff
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As the temperatures dip and daylight starts to dwindle sooner in the evenings, staying active often falls to the bottom of the priority list. It’s easy to settle into the routine of indoor comfort with more screens and less movement. However, carving out time for a daily walk, even in the chillier months, is a simple and effective way to stay physically and mentally sharp. FALL AND WINTER ARE NATURE’S UNDERRATED WORKOUT MONTHS. There’s something calming about a quiet sidewalk covered in fall leaves or a peaceful neighborhood dusted with frost. The colder seasons offer a refreshing and grounding change of scenery. A short walk outdoors allows you to unplug and take in the subtle beauty that’s easy to miss when you’re rushing from one indoor task to the next. THE SCIENCE OF SEASONAL MOVEMENT IS REAL. Cooler air does more than wake you up. It makes your body work harder to stay warm, thus increasing the calorie burn of even a casual stroll. That quick burst of movement in the cold can also boost circulation, improve energy levels, and clear mental fog, especially if you’ve been sitting at a desk for most of the day. CREATE A COZY ROUTINE YOU LOOK FORWARD TO. One of the best ways to stay consistent during these cooler months is to make your walk enjoyable. Layer up in comfortable gear, choose a playlist or podcast you love, and set a daily reminder to step outside. Whether it’s 10 minutes around the block or a long weekend loop, consistency matters more than intensity. MAKE IT SOCIAL, REWARDING, OR BOTH. If you aren’t feeling motivated solo, ask a friend or neighbor to join you a few times a week. If you prefer going alone, add a small reward: a stop for a warm drink, or the satisfaction of checking it off your daily goals list. These little incentives can make your walk something to look forward to. The Case for a Daily Walk LESS SCROLLING, MORE STROLLING
Pet parents have long known that their furry friends understand many things humans say. Now, scientists are expanding our understanding of pets’ language skills. Research shows that dogs interpret humans’ language cues in ways similar to a 2-year-old human toddler, and certain precocious dogs do even better. In a 2023 study in Scientific Reports, researchers used social media to recruit the owners of 41 dogs that performed above average on a test of toy name recognition. Researchers also observed further tests in video meetings. Fewer than 1 in 4 owners intentionally trained their dogs, and most said it took fewer than 5 minutes to learn a new toy name. Border collies quickly rose to the head of the class; nearly two-thirds of these “gifted word learner” dogs were either border collies or border collie crosses. These gifted dogs, researchers concluded, were capable of learning 50 to 100 toy names. A landmark 2024 study tested dogs’ ability to recognize names of other objects, such as a wallet, phone, or leash. In a painless process, the researchers attached electrodes to the heads of 18 dogs and used electroencephalogram (EEG) machines to measure brain waves. Then, they played recordings of each pet’s owner saying the names of familiar objects. They showed the dog an object their owner was holding behind a window, either the item named in the recording or a different one. They found that dogs process words as references to objects in the environment, just as humans do. If the object held by their owner didn’t match the word the dog heard, the dog’s brain reacted similarly to that of a human brain fed dissonant information. Cats have not been studied as extensively as dogs. However, in a test of 41 cats in their humans’ homes, the cats were able to discover hidden treats by following their owners’ gaze cues, according to a 2019 study. The cats were quicker to respond if the owners were attentive and spoke to them or made eye contact in an intentional way before signaling. Younger cats performed better on the tests, suggesting that socialization plays a role in their learning. Other research shows cats recognize their names when spoken by their humans and engage in synchronized nonverbal communication, such as blinking more frequently when their owners blink at them. How Dogs and Cats Decode Our Words and Gestures Your Pet Is Listening
Clearly, our pets often understand our words and behavior more than we think.
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WINTER WEIGHT WATCH Keep Your Pet Fit Through the Cold Months
Winter weight gain can sneak up on you so slowly. The days get shorter and colder, you walk your dog a little less, and relaxing indoors with a snack is a comforting way to spend time.
level. Pet treats can be a helpful motivating tool for play and learning. However, calories from pet snacks can add up fast. A good rule of thumb: Limit treats to 10% of your pet’s diet. A 25–50-pound dog might require roughly 500–1,000 calories a
UnNtiloFtiucrether If you’re tempted to overindulge your pet this winter, remember the rewards your furry friend can gain from a balanced diet. When you help your dog or cat maintain a healthy weight, they will feel better, too, and you have probably lengthened their lifespan! Some processed goodies have more calories than meat treats. GET MOVING Try to walk or play fetch outdoors with your dog every day. If your schedule is packed, ask a family member, friend, or pet sitter to take your pet for a walk. And teach your dog or cat some active indoor games. Your dog will love the attention they receive when they can perform the five top tricks: sit, stay, high-five, spin, and down. Another energizing activity is to teach your pooch to retrieve their favorite toys by name. For cats, hunting games, such as playing with a laser toy, can be exciting.
Then come the consequences: By the time you get outdoors next spring, your
beloved pet may be panting harder, moving slower, and their waistline may have vanished beneath a layer of extra weight. Here are two ways to ward off wintertime weight gain in your pet.
day, and at 30–50 calories apiece, Pup-Peroni or Milk-Bone treats can hit 10% fast. A 10-pound indoor cat might require 20
calories per pound, or 200 calories daily. At 2 calories per morsel, 10 small cat treats will hit the 10% limit.
To fill the gap, serve a few kibbles for your pet to lick. Many canines enjoy small amounts
MEASURE WHAT MATTERS Avoid overfeeding your furry friend by measuring your pet’s food. A digital
of carrots, celery, or bell peppers served raw. But before substituting packaged veggie treats for dogs, check the label:
food scale or an electronic pet food measuring scoop can help you keep servings at a healthy
N ePwo lSi cCi eVs C
Clients Spreading the Word
Terri Dunn Jessie Melison
• At the time of scheduling a
Due to a staffing shortage, SCVC will be closed on Saturdays until further notice. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
dental or surgery appointment, a $250 deposit will be required. This deposit will be applied to the procedure bill. If you need to cancel the appointment, and you give us at least a 24-hour notice, the deposit will be refunded.
• Due to the increasing cost of
credit card processing, there is now a 3% service charge added to all clinic services and products. If paying with cash, check, or PIN debit, there is no charge.
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1 inside this issue Paws Off the Pie: Ensuring Your Pet Skips the Holiday Leftovers
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Bundle Up and Step Out
The Secret Language Skills of Pets
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Ward Off Winter Weight Gain in Your Pet
New SCVC Policies
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How a Rescue Dog Is Lifting Spirits at Sea
ANCHORS AWEIGH, BELLY RUBS AHEAD Meet the Navy’s First Full-Time Morale Dog NC aenwc eAl l aptpi ooni nPt mo leinc yt 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.
For one special soldier, the mission is clear: Provide comfort, lift spirits, and stand by his crew, four paws at a time. Raider, a 1-year-old Lab mix from an animal rescue in San Diego, isn’t your typical recruit. He’s about to make waves as the first full-time morale dog on a Navy ship, and he could transform life at sea for hundreds of sailors. With a wagging tail and unwavering loyalty, this pup is ready to serve his country in the most heartwarming way. The nonprofit Shelter to Soldier has been training shelter dogs as service animals for veterans since 2012, with a mission to “save lives, two at a time.” Though the organization partners dogs with individual veterans, it began bringing therapy dogs to Navy ships for special training outings and made a discovery. Crew members felt a special connection with the pups and kept asking, “Can we take this dog on deployment with us?”
Raider is the first canine cadet for the job. He was adopted from Labs and More Rescue and has been deep in training since April. This new furry crew member has been working hard on learning to use a “potty patch” on board and special safety gear like booties for his paws and eye protection. Along with getting his sea legs, he’s learning various commands that will help in his role, which is “designed to support the emotional wellness, morale, and mental health of sailors and Marines,” according to the nonprofit. Raider will join a team of five handlers and live full time on the USS Makin Island
in his own room. Crew members will get their wish, and any time the base deploys, he’ll be along for the ride.
Known for his goofy personality and affinity for belly rubs, he’s already bringing cheer to the base and inspiring others to follow in his pawprints. The nonprofit is busy training morale dogs for other ships. “Everyone is just really excited to have a furry companion to go with them when they’re underway,” Director of Operations and Training Nicky Moore said, adding, “What makes you happier than a dog?”
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