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November 2022 www.surfacecreekveterinarycenter.com 970-856-4474
SCVC Pawprint Giving a Good Life CARING FOR PETS THROUGH AGE AND ILLNESS
Everyone loves fresh-faced kittens and puppies. They’re playful, fun, and adorable. Watching them grow up can be a great joy, but anyone who has ever adopted one also knows the process can take over your life. This can include: barking, scratching, destruction, puddles, and other accidents on the floor. Those are typically matters you have to worry about much less with an older pet. November is Adopt a Senior Pet Month, and countless older dogs and cats need homes. If you go to an animal shelter, the situation is often heartbreaking. No one goes over to the older cats’ and dogs’ cages to gush over how cute they are, and they look so sad and lonely. These animals are no less deserving of a loving home than a younger one. I often tell my older clients that senior pets would be an excellent fit. As people age, they usually don’t want to adopt a new pet for fear the animal will outlive them. Well, why not adopt a pet that will live for 3–4 years? They make great companions and will be much more content with an older person’s pace of life than a puppy would. And with so many senior pets available, adopting an animal doesn’t have to be a decade-plus commitment. While some people avoid adopting senior pets because they’re less playful and cute, others worry about their remaining lifespan. Adopting a pet and bonding with them only to lose them a few years later strikes many people as unbearable. I don’t deny that it’s difficult, but I think helping the weakest is the noblest thing humans can do. It may only be three years to you, but that’s a significant chunk of a dog or cat’s life — which is especially heartbreaking if they don't get to live in a home ever again. I’ve adopted many senior pets over the years. They’re often former patients whose owners couldn’t or didn’t want to care for them anymore. After my friend Tom died, I also adopted his two labs who were in the 12–14 age range so they wouldn’t go to a shelter or be euthanized. My parents shielded me from death when I was a kid, but my kids have faced it several times through animals. Death is a part of life, and I think it’s essential children learn to cope with it early. Mine cry every time a pet dies, but they know losing an animal doesn’t diminish the time they spent together — and they better understand the circle of life.
We owe it to our domesticated animals to give them the longest and most comfortable life possible. November is also Pet Cancer Awareness Month, so I urge all of our clients to watch for symptoms. Most cancers in dogs and cats present as visible lumps or bumps, and they’re often treatable if we get to them in time. Too often, people wait six months or a year before bringing their pet in. By that point, cancer may have spread to their organs or grown too big for removal. If you notice a lump, bring your pet in for an examination. Vets like to say, “When in doubt, get it out.” The bump can’t hurt them if it’s no longer attached to their body, but there’s no telling what it could do if it sticks around. Whether we have a new puppy or a teenage cat, as pet owners, we should treat our pets with dignity and care. At Surface Creek Vet, we’re your partners in giving pets the life they deserve. It could be for one year or 15, but time with our animals remains precious no matter how long it lasts.
–Dr. Jeff
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Come aO n u d t Play The Best Companion Winter is almost here, and as the weather gets colder, many people use it as an excuse to stay inside and on the couch. But if you don’t want to wonder what happened to your fitness goals when spring comes around, now is the time to start preparing. Here’s what you need to know to comfortably enjoy outdoor exercise in low temperatures. First, there’s good news: Your chance of frostbite in 5 degree F weather is less than 5%. So, outdoor exercise is perfectly safe most days of the year. Just stay inside when there’s a particularly nasty wind chill and don’t exercise on icy surfaces. But while you probably won’t be hurt by outdoor winter exercise, there’s no denying it can be unpleasant if you aren’t prepared. One school of thought suggests there’s no bad weather, only poorly chosen clothing. So, if you want to exercise outdoors in the winter, you must set yourself up for success with the proper gear. Dress in layers and put them on in the correct order. Opt for a moisture-wicking material as your bottom layer, then add a warm insulating layer, followed by a wind and water-resistant jacket on top. Remove items as you get warmer so you don’t trap sweat. Also, remember the wool socks, gloves, and hat. Another way to keep yourself comfortable during an outdoor workout is to warm up longer before beginning. Exercise in cold weather makes strains and sprains more likely, and a warmup will keep you safer. Plus, the additional movement before heading outdoors will help the temperature change feel less jarring. STAYING ACTIVE IN COLD WEATHER
THANKSGIVING IS ABOUT MORE THAN FOOD It’s About Showing Gratitude As we prepare for our Thanksgiving feasts, Thursday night football games, and Black Friday shopping, take some time to show gratitude for those around you and for what you have. Here are a few ways to practice gratitude this month. Appreciate everything. Get into the habit of being grateful for the little things in your life. It can be easy to acknowledge the “big” things, but nothing is too small to be thankful for. You can be grateful the weather is nice and sunny, that you received the package you’ve been waiting for, or that you got out of bed today. Don’t leave out anything when practicing gratitude. Practice mindfulness. Mindfulness is the ability to be fully present and aware of what’s happening around you. So, instead of being overwhelmed by what you need to do tomorrow or next week, focus on the present moment and enjoy the time you spend solo or with your loved ones. Live in the moment and take one day at a time. Tomorrow will surely come, and you only have a limited amount of time in the present. Celebrate your challenges. Sometimes struggles and battles in our lives can weigh us down. But when you persevere and continue to push forward, you will find success. Challenges help you improve your abilities and resilience, so celebrate the progress you’ve made. Showing gratitude for challenges and negative experiences allows us to acknowledge humility and appreciate growth in our lives.
You’ll want to protect your skin from the harsh air. One of the best ways to do that is by staying hydrated. Though it sounds obvious, many people feel less thirsty when exercising
Keep a journal. Writing down the things you’re grateful for will remind you of all the great things you have when other things aren’t going so well. So, keep a journal about what you’re grateful for each day or week — even if it’s just small things at first. Your perspective on life will change, and it will get easier to see the good things and to feel grateful for things you were likely overlooking. Showing gratitude is something we should do every day, all throughout the year — not just during the holidays. So, try to practice mindfulness and gratitude using these tips! Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
in the cold and don’t drink enough water. Also, moisturize
regularly and protect your nostrils and lips from the wind with petroleum jelly or Carmex. Finally, don’t forget the sunscreen
— if skiers can get a sunburn, so can you!
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ARTHRITIS IN AGING PETS How Treatments Improve Quality of Life We’ve already shared the joys and rewards of caring for older pets, but we know advancing age brings a unique set of challenges. One of the most common is arthritis, which can cause our pets pain and reduce their mobility. Fortunately, we can minimize these effects and give our animals a good quality of life with the proper care.
But there will be some telltale signs. Cats with arthritis typically don’t jump as high or as far as they used to and sometimes avoid visiting
their favorite spots. Commonly, they also miss more jumps than they previously did. Arthritic cats will usually take longer to use the stairs, groom themselves less frequently, or stop using the litter box due to pain.
Clien th ts e SWpr o e r a d ding As many as 1 in 5 dogs have canine arthritis. Just as in humans, arthritis can cause pain in any joint on a dog’s body but is more common in their hips, shoulders, and knees. Most people notice their dog behaving differently. Often, they become reluctant to stand up from lying down or take more time than they previously had to stand. Some even yelp in pain. Arthritic dogs also commonly avoid stairs and stop jumping on furniture or into the car. And owners can see personality changes in their dogs, including anti- social behavior. Cats are masters at hiding their pain from humans, so the symptoms of arthritis can be more challenging to notice in our feline friends.
Arthritis is typically diagnosed in both species with a physical exam by checking for sensitivity or swelling around the joints. We also recommend X-rays to confirm the diagnosis and bloodwork to rule out other health concerns. If your pet does have arthritis, there is no magic treatment, but many options are available to make their lives more comfortable. Several prescription and nutraceutical medications can help pets with the pain, and we can help determine which one will work best for your furry friend. Environmental changes like ramps and lower litter boxes can make an arthritic pet’s life easier. Meanwhile, controlled exercise can help dogs, and heavier pets can see reduced symptoms after losing weight.
If your pet isn’t moving around as well as they used to, schedule a visit with us here at Surface Creek Vet to check whether they’re experiencing arthritis or another condition. Prompt care is the best route to health and happiness.
TrTiaansgtyleTs uf orrkeCyats Inspired by Be.Chewy.com
Eric Lopez Monty & Lori McDermith Jenny Brooks Meyghan Hill Dave & Carol Coleman Marsha Werth
INGREDIENTS
• • •
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
•
1/2 cup ground turkey (you can use your leftover turkey from Thanksgiving — just make sure to grind it up first)
1 egg
1/2 tbsp olive oil
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 2. In a large mixing bowl, combine ground turkey, whole wheat flour, egg, and olive oil until you have a meaty dough. Knead dough into a ball. 3. Flour the work surface and roll dough to about 1/4-inch thickness. Place dough on baking sheet. 4. With a knife, score 1/2-inch rows into the dough. Then, score diagonal lines across the rows to create a diamond pattern and score diagonally the other way to score the diamonds in half, creating triangles. 5. Bake for 20 minutes. Let cool, break the triangles apart, then give one to your kitty!
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Why You Should Consider a Senior Pet inside this issue
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It’s National Gratitude Month!
Getting Outdoors Despite the Cold
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Understanding Arthritis in Older Pets
Tasty Turkey Triangles for Cats
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Calico Cat Saves Owner From Would-Be Burglars
FELINE DEFENDER PREVENTS ROBBERY 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. Guard Cat Mode Activated
Bandit’s behavior was unusual, so Everitt knew something was wrong. “She had never done that before,” Everitt said. “I went, ‘What in the world is wrong with you?’” Bandit’s persistence eventually pulled him from bed, and after throwing his robe on, he went to investigate. When he finally got into the kitchen, he noticed two figures — one with a crowbar and one with what looked like a handgun — trying to break into his back door. By the time Everitt returned from retrieving his own handgun,
We’ve heard of guard dogs, but have you ever heard of a guard cat? Well, Bandit the calico cat somehow knew exactly what to do when she spied intruders at her owner’s back door! Some may call it instinct, some may call it luck, but to Fred Everitt, she’s a hero. Everitt, a 68-year-old retired oral surgeon, was sound asleep in his Mississippi home on Sunday, July 24, when Bandit started letting out deep meows sometime between 2:30–3 a.m. Everitt assumed Bandit had seen another cat or other animal outside.
the intruders were gone. Thankfully, it didn’t turn into a confrontational situation, and Everitt gave credit to the 20-pound cat that he adopted from a humane society. If it hadn’t been for Bandit’s alertness, it could’ve been a completely different story. “I want to let people know that you save a life when you adopt from a pet shelter or rescue one,” Everitt said, “but the tides could be turned. You never know when you save an animal if they're going to save you.”
Cats tend to be active at night, and Bandit is no exception. She’s been known to roam the living room and explore the kitchen cabinets while Everitt sleeps soundly. He quickly realized it was something else when she came into his room and tried to pull his comforters off and clawed at his arms.
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