Make Your Cat's Veterinary Experience a Positive One

It’s the morning of Fluffy the cat’s annual examination and everyone in the house is on edge.  Fluffy’s usual warm and affectionate personality has transformed into a defensive lioness-like huntress, willing to do anything to avoid getting into the dreaded crate.  The success of catching Fluffy and placing her into her crate is short-lived when she begins howling during the entire car ride to the vet’s office.  Once in the exam room, the battle of removing Fluffy from her crate makes this morning’s initial capture look like child’s play.  Even hours after returning home, Fluffy glares at you with hatred in her eyes over her “traumatic” experience.  Sound familiar?  You’re not alone.  Thankfully, we have a few simple tips to help change Fluffy’s perception of going to the vet!

• Make her crate a safe haven.  Instead of taking her crate out only when she needs to go to the vet, try keeping it out at all times.  If that’s not possible, keep it out for at least 3 days prior to her veterinary appointment.  Place enticing treats and toys inside her crate to encourage her to enter on her own accord.

• Try using a pheromone diffuser and spray.  Pheromones act as calming agents for cats, and spraying the towel/blanket in her crate and in your car can greatly reduce her stress during transportation.

• Skip Fluffy’s breakfast or offer her a smaller amount of food than usual.  If Fluffy is hungry when you bring her to the vet, she will be more likely to accept treats during her office visit – making her time less stressful and perhaps pleasurable!  Consult your veterinarian prior to using this tactic if your cat is young, geriatric or suffers from health conditions.

• Invest in a crate that enables you to remove the top.  If Fluffy doesn’t feel like coming out of her crate, no worries!  We can work with her in her “safe zone”.

• Keep the carrier out when you’re back home.  Continue placing treats and toys in the crate for at least a few days after her visit – she will likely associates the crate with good thoughts, making your next veterinary visit even easier!

We highly recommend trying these tips next time you bring your feline friend into the vet!   Her annual checkup shouldn’t be a nightmare, but rather a simple experience that gives you the peace of mind that she is happy and healthy.  A few minor changes can make what used to be a stressful experience, an enjoyable one that both you and your cat deserve!

 

Giving Back to Our Community

We receive a plethora of inquiries about what opportunities are out there for young people interested in a career in veterinary medicine.  Veterinary Associates of Cape Cod is a proud leader in giving back to our local community – with a specific interest in education.  From pre-school through veterinary school, we offer programs to help students along their journey.

Dr. Burns visits local pre-schools on a regular basis, providing children with an early introduction into the exciting field of veterinary medicine.  It’s no secret that children love animals, and Dr. Burns embraces this interest by providing fun and informative meetings to preschoolers.  Our Veterinary Academy caters to children between the ages of 9-14.  Veterinary Academy students meet at our hospital on a monthly basis for a 1 hour interactive class.  Each hands-on class focuses on a specific veterinary topic spanning from surgery, digital imaging, emergency medicine and laboratory.  Students successfully completing 4 or more of our 6 classes are eligible to participate in our graduation ceremony!  High school students have the chance to delve further into veterinary medicine by participating in a work-based study program.  Students participating in this program come to our hospital, work hands-on with doctors and technicians, and experience what goes on in a true veterinary setting – even earning class credit!

We offer internships to college students to help hone their veterinary skills prior to moving into a career post-graduation or prior to continuing to Veterinary School.  These students come to our hospital during their college’s summer and winter breaks to further expand their veterinary knowledge.  Working alongside doctors and technicians, college interns are exposed to multiple scenarios that veterinary hospitals face on a daily basis.  Paid internships are available to current veterinary students.  Actively enrolled veterinary students participating in our internship program work closely with our doctors to further refine their veterinary skills and knowledge.  These valuable internships leave future graduates better prepared and confident to enter their careers!

It’s clear to see that we value giving back to our community and encourage hands-on education programs!  We strive to offer programs to students of all ages who are interested in a career in the veterinary field.  Whether your child is in pre-school, high school or college, we have a program perfect for him/her!  If you’re interested in learning more, don’t hesitate to give us a call!

Safety is Our First Priority

Going on vacation is supposed to be a relaxing experience, however, it can be nerve-racking when you need to leave your pet in the care of others.  So many thoughts run through our minds – is my pet getting fed on time, are they receiving enough attention, did they receive their medication, and what happens when my pet is left alone throughout the night?  Trust me, you’re not alone.

Entrusting your pet in the care of Veterinary Associates of Cape Cod gives you the peace of mind that your pet is cared for by dedicated resort staff members.  Does your pet take medications?  Whether they are oral or injectable medications, our staff of professionals will make sure your pet receives their medications on time.  If your pet is in need of veterinary attention, you can rest assure that he/she will be seen by one of our caring veterinarians immediately.  Our building is equipped with a custom sprinkler system powered by a brand new 8 inch water pipe directly from White’s Path!  Our generator is powerful enough to power the entire hospital in the event of an outage.  24-hour surveillance cameras covering our entire hospital, carbon monoxide detectors and alarm system ensure the safety of your pet when our staff members leave at night.    

Veterinary Associates of Cape Cod is proud to announce the opening of our fully renovated resort facility.  Dedicated resort staff make sure your pet is in comfortable, loving and safe hands.  Our intentionally low-volume resort is designed to put your pet’s care first and foremost by offering a state-of-the-art facility equipped with individually raised beds, supervised playtime in our secure outdoor play yard and plenty of sunlight from our large windows and skylights.  Our feline guests enjoy peace and quiet in luxurious multi-level cat condos furnished with spacious views of the outside world.

If your pet needs extra TLC while staying with us, we offer Pampered Pet Packages for both dogs and cats.  For an additional fee, dogs will receive the added benefit of additional outdoor playtime, a one-on-one leash walk with one of our resort staff members, a frosty paw treat in the evening and a complimentary bath in our hydraulic tub every sixth day.  Pampered cats enjoy one hour of playtime in our “cat only” exam room, access to multiple scratching posts and custom climbing areas, and dedicated one-on-one playtime with a staff member using laser pointers and other cat toys.  Owners of both pampered dogs and cats will appreciate a daily text update with a picture of their beloved pet!  Due to limited space, we highly encourage advanced appointments.  Speak to any of our client services team for additional information!

Tips on Caring for Your Buns

With MSPCA hosting a rabbit adoptathon at all locations on the 16^th and 17^th, we thought it’s all too fitting to give some helpful tips on how to properly care for your rabbit.  Rabbits are an excellent choice for a pet, but it’s important to be aware of their specific needs to ensure they are happy and healthy.

Before bringing your rabbit home, be sure that you have the proper housing for him!  Whether you choose to keep him indoors or outdoors, it is important to have a wire cage that has 50% of the floor covered with either Plexiglass or washable towels.  It’s vital that the wires of the cage floor and any other surface are kept clean to prevent illness or injuries to your furry friend.  Adequate shade and hiding spots are important for your rabbit as they are very sensitive to environmental changes.  All enclosures need suitable protection from wind, rain, snow and ice.  House training rabbits to use a litterbox is quite feasible and should be considered to give your rabbit extra time outside the cage!  Always supervise your rabbit when he is outside the cage and be cautious of any electrical wires that he could potentially chew.

Maintaining a healthy rabbit requires incorporating both hay and pellets into their diet.  Offering good-quality hay containing grass, alfalfa or clover is believed to reduce intestinal problems and decreases a rabbit’s tendency to pull out and chew on hair.  Pellets should be offered at all times unless overeating and obesity become problems.  “Salads” consisting of lettuce, spinach, alfalfa sprouts, carrot tops, beet greens and apples should be offered in small amounts – 2-3 times per week.  These “salads” should never exceed 20% of your rabbit’s overall diet due to their lack of nutrient density and many rabbits will develop a preference for these items over pellets.  If your rabbit stops eating or becomes lethargic, we recommend seeing a veterinarian immediately.  It is wise to establish a relationship with a veterinarian that is well-versed in the care of rabbits early on, thus confirming the wellness of your rabbit and ensuring you have someone to go to in the event your rabbit becomes ill.

The average life expectancy for a rabbit is 5-10 years, with some living as long as 15 years!  Providing proper housing, offering a well-rounded diet and developing a relationship with a trusted veterinarian will provide you many happy and healthy years with your new pet.  If you need help finding a veterinarian that will treat your rabbit, feel free to give us a call!  We have a veterinarian on staff that will gladly see your floppy-eared friend!

Holiday Safety Tips

The holiday season is in full swing, and it’s time for celebrations, decorations and seasonal treats, we must be mindful of the safety of our fur babies!  Christmas trees, decorative plants, lights and seasonal meals can pose a threat to your pets if left unattended.  Here are some friendly tips to keep your pets happy and healthy during this holiday season.

• Christmas Tree:  Many of us will adorn our homes with this holiday favorite.  Please be mindful that a new object, such as a large sparkly tree, will likely attract the attention of both our feline and canine companions.  Securely anchor your tree to avoid the risk of it tipping over – accidentally causing injury to a curious pet.  Properly anchoring your tree should stop any tree water from spilling, which is important as fertilizers and bacteria can build up in the water, posing the risk of gastrointestinal upset for your pet.

• Decorations:  Stay clear of tinsel entirely to avoid putting your pet at risk of an obstructed digestive tract.  When selecting tree bulbs, avoid bulbs made out of glass or that can easily shatter if they fall off the tree.  Also try to place bulbs high on the tree to avoid the risk of your pet knocking them down. 

• Lighting:  Candles should be used cautiously, if avoided entirely, as they can cause burns or even a fire.  Never leave a lit candle unattended.  Wired lights should be kept out of your pet’s reach to avoid electrical shock if he/she were to chew on the wire.  Always unplug your lights when leaving your home.

• Plants:  Holly can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea when ingested.  Mistletoe can cause gastrointestinal upset and cardiovascular problems.  Many types of lilies can cause kidney failure when ingested.  For the safety of your pets, opt for convincing silk varieties of these plants or consider avoiding them all together.

• Holiday Meals:  Although it’s tempting to offer your pet some of the delicious holiday meals you’ll be preparing this season, stay clear from any treats that are high in fat, sugar or anything sweetened with xylitol.  Ingesting these kinds of “treats” can put your pet in danger that can result in high medical bills.  Make sure you keep any unattended plates up high so it’s out of reach of your fur baby and make sure your trash is securely covered.

• Alcohol:  Many of us will be serving festive cocktails for holiday gatherings.  Make sure to place all unattended drinks in areas that your pet cannot reach them.  It’s a good idea to mention this to guests as they arrive.  Alcohol consumption in pets is serious and can result in illness, coma and even death due to respiratory failure. 

• Noise:  New Year’s Eve gathering often bring upon confetti, noisy poppers and fireworks.  Cats can easily become obstructed when ingesting confetti or strings from poppers and loud noises and fireworks can be terrifying to many pets.  Make sure your pet is in a safe, escape-proof area, as midnight approaches to ensure their safety.  Be sure to check in on them periodically and consider offering a treat like a filled Kong to keep their minds busy during this time.

The holidays are a great time for friends and loved ones to get together.  Let’s make sure it’s safe for our four-legged furry family members by keeping these precautions in mind. Taking the steps now to avoid any potential disasters will keep your stress level down and enable you to relax and enjoy this holiday season!

 

 

Going Away for the Holidays?

It's that time of year when many of us travel in order to spend time with loved ones during the holiday season.  While this can be a fantastic time to get away, many of us forget how this may affect our four-legged furry family members.  More often than not, we aren't able to bring our pets on vacation with us, which puts us in the position of finding a pet sitter or finding a place that we can trust with taking care of our beloved furry family members.

When faced with this important decision, many of us will go through various avenues when selecting the right pet sitter or boarding facility.  Your pet's specific needs and your expectations will determine what pet sitter or boarding facility is right for you.  One should keep in mind the degree of care your pet will require when you're away.  Questions that you should ask yourself are:

• Will my pet need additional attention/playtime/walks?
• Does my pet take medication?
• Does my pet have specific dietary needs?

If you answer yes to any of these questions, your pet will benefit from staying in a facility that is able to provide the additional care/medical attention your pet needs.  Many pet sitters are able to accommodate "special needs" pets as well.  It's always a good idea to ask for references or check with your veterinarian to see whom he/she recommends for boarding and pet sitting services.

We are proud to announce the opening of our newly renovated Salty Paws Pet Resort!  Our intentionally low volume resort is designed to give your pet the comfort and feeling of security of home.  Our staff treats our resort guests with the same warm and loving care that we give our own pets!  With rates starting at $29.00 for cats and $36.00 for dogs, we encourage advanced reservations as spaces fill quickly.  Our new pampered pet program is available to the discerning guest who will benefit from extra TLC.  Ask any of our client services representatives for more details.  We wish you all a safe and happy holiday season!

Halloween Photo Contest

As the days become shorter and the temperature drops, many of us think that the threat of fleas and ticks latching onto our four-legged family member reduces, or is even eliminated.  Unfortunately this is completely false, with owners often times finding out the hard way.  The best way to avoid finding yourself faced with a flea infestation or your pet being at risk of a tick-borne illness is using a veterinarian approved flea and tick preventative throughout the year.

There are many products to choose from and discussing your options with your veterinarian is the best way to find the correct match for your pet!  With Halloween approaching this weekend, we thought that it’s the perfect time to give you the opportunity to share a picture of your pet in his/her costume on our Facebook Page with the incentive of a great prize – a Seresto collar!  This collar will protect your dog or cat from fleas and ticks for 8 months!

Upload a picture of your pet in their Halloween costume on our Facebook Page anytime between now and Friday.  The picture that receives the most “likes” will win a free Seresto collar!  Have a wonderful and safe Halloween and we look forward to seeing your pets in creative getups!!!

Terms and conditions of contest:

This contest is in no way sponsored or affiliated with Facebook.  Participants must be 18 years of age or older.  Picture of pet must be uploaded by midnight EST on Friday, October 30, 2015 and all accounted “likes” close at the end of this period.  Photo receiving the most “likes” as determined by Veterinary Associates of Cape Cod will be announced on October 31, 2015 through a Facebook announcement.  Submitter of winning photo is responsible for contacting Veterinary Associates of Cape Cod to claim ownership of photo submitted by providing full name, address and telephone number.  Veterinary Associates of Cape Cod obtains full rights of any and all photos submitted.  Prize cannot be exchanged for cash and must be picked up at Veterinary Associates of Cape Cod.