STICKING IT TO STRESS
LOLA IS BACK IN ACTION AFTER TPLO SURGERY
ggle Monster
emergency TPLO surgery. Mom and Dad were super worried, but the doctors at the Animal Clinic of Kalispell fixed me. I came home in a pink cast, which I pulled off very well, and I was back to wiggling in no time. That’s good news because I have responsibilities around here. It’s my job to protect the two-leggers. Sometimes the bigger one tries to tug my rope with me, but I know better — I don’t want to bite his little fingers. I’m also in charge of the baby. I make sure he’s okay by sniffing him, and I get so happy when I smell that he’s safe!
MAKE YOUR VETERINARY VISITS CALMER For many pets, few things are more stressful than a visit to the veterinarian. The high anxiety level associated with some appointments makes the process much more difficult for you, your animal, and our staff. Unfortunately, we can’t reason with animals, but we can try to make their experience calmer. Cats, in particular, often have a rough time at our office. “Most cats hate everything about the vet,” Dr. Clark says. “They don’t like travel, they don’t like crates, they don’t like us, and they don’t like anything you didn’t clear on their schedules first.” The noise and movement of a car, the sound of dogs barking at the office, and the unfamiliar sights and smells of the exam room can send cats’ anxiety levels into overdrive. “It can affect our work,” Dr. Clark says. “We sometimes can’t find evidence of the presenting problem because they have so much adrenaline. And stress can actually change bloodwork. Elevated kidney enzymes, blood glucose, and dehydration can be secondary to stress, and the cat’s values can change in the 20-minute car ride here.”
I spend most of my time with Mom, but I’m secretly a daddy’s girl. Dad works nights, so I’m thrilled whenever I see him. I also like that he doesn’t follow all the rules. Mom tells him not to give me any people food, but he doesn’t listen when her back is turned. There’s nothing quite like
steak and a belly rub.
I’m so glad the doctors fixed my knee so I can keep doing everything I love. They took great care of me during my stay at the hospital — and gave me a much-needed break from my annoying little brother.
Veterinarians have strategies and tools to combat these challenges, but it does make their work more difficult. Further, seeing their pet upset causes stress for many humans. Animals feed off their owners’ stress, creating a vicious cycle. Dr. Clark recommends several strategies to make the process a bit less emotional. “From the moment they see the crate, cats know something’s up,” he says. So, Dr. Clark recommends taking the crate out early or leaving it permanently in a neutral, visible location. “You can even put a bed or food in there and leave the door open, so they realize the crate isn’t so bad,” he says. The pheromone spray Feliway also helps many cats relax. While cats generally find veterinary visits much more stressful than dogs, some canines also get anxious. For both species, Dr. Clark says, “We have more than a few clients who request drugs to try to take the edge off. It’s like giving someone afraid of the dentist laughing gas. And sometimes, we treat the pet to treat the client. When the owner is calmer, the pet doesn’t respond to their stress.” If you worry about your pet’s stress levels at the veterinarian, please share your concerns during your next appointment. We’ll help you find a strategy to make visits more productive and less anxiety-inducing for everyone involved.
Ingredients Picky Pets
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1/4 cup chicken breast, unseasoned 1/4 cup long-grain rice
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1/2 ounce canned clams, chopped (with liquid) 1 tbsp beef or chicken broth
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1/4 cup water
Directions
1. Cook chicken in oven or stovetop until it reaches an internal temperature of 145 F. Cook rice according to package instructions. 2. Once the rice and chicken are cooked, in a large bowl, combine rice, chicken, canned clams, and broth. Mix until all ingredients are combined. 3. Let mixture cool completely, then place in your cat’s food bowl and serve.
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