FREE PUPPY AND KITTEN KITS FROM FISHER GLEN ANIMAL HOSPITAL

multi page information booklet depicting Fisher Glen's puppy kit

Free Puppy or Kitten Kits from Fisher Glen Animal Hospital

Have you recently decided to bring home a new puppy or kitten? Then this post is for you! First of all, we would just like to say we are so pleased to have your new puppy or kitten as a patient. Welcome to Fisher Glen Animal Hospital, and never hesitate to Contact Us if you have any questions at all. We are always more than happy to help!

Everything You Need To Know When Bringing Home a New Puppy or Kitten

There is a lot to know when you are bringing a new puppy or kitten into your family. That’s why we have developed our Puppy and Kitten Kits, to help guide you as you learn the ropes for giving your puppy or kitten a happy and healthy home. It covers everything from the basics of getting started, to important health concerns, to tips and care guides. In the past these kits were included in a care package given to clients who brought their new puppy or kitten into the clinic. However, with the pandemic still ongoing, we have decided to give them away online, totally free!

We suggest reading through the kits in their entirety now, and also saving them or bookmarking this page to use as reference material later on. We hope that you will find the kits to be both helpful and informative.

Download your free Puppy Kit or Kitten Kit today!

Not Adopting a New Puppy or Kitten?

That’s okay – we have something for your too! Check out our adult pet care kit. Or for those with an older pet, click to download our new senior pet kit! And as always, if you have any questions feel free to Contact Us today!

The COVID-19 situation is constantly evolving. Because of this, please watch our COVID-19 updates space for all the latest news on clinic policies and services. And to view the latest COVID-19 updates here in Ottawa, visit the Ottawa Public Health Website. You can also check out our Veterinary Services section to learn more about everything we do here at Fisher Glen. And as always if you have any questions or would like to book an appointment with Fisher Glen Animal Hospital, please don’t hesitate to Contact Us Today!

PETS IN PARKED CARS: A REMINDER ABOUT DOGS AND HEAT STROKE

Summer is upon us! And here at Fisher Glen Animal Hospital, we love the summer – there’s nothing better than a fun family BBQ or a sunny day at the beach. But while we are all enjoying the wonderful weather, it is important to always remember that our four-legged family members have only a very limited capacity to beat the heat. This can lead to heat exhaustion or even death. Every year, hundreds of pets die from heat exhaustion because they are left in parked vehicles. So never ever leave your cats or dogs in hot cars, and keep an eye out for other signs of heat exhaustion in your pets. Read on to learn more about dogs and heat stroke!

Dogs and Heat Stroke: The Facts

Unlike you and I, dogs can not sweat to cool off. They get rid of heat primarily through their tongues and airway. As a result, dogs are in frequent danger of overheating, especially when the weather becomes humid and evaporation off the tongue is slowed down. Furthermore, heat stroke can permanently damage a dog’s thermoregulatory system, predisposing them to further heat problems. This is why it is vitally important to recognize the signs of overheating and stop it before it progresses to heat stroke.

Preventing Heat Exhaustion

Dogs can react to heat in different ways. Brachycephalic breeds (flat-nosed dogs like pugs, bulldogs, and boxers), older, obese, and pregnant dogs are more prone to heat stroke. Young active dogs, especially large breeds and dogs with thick coats are prone to exertional hyperthermia – overheating from exercise. Always pay attention to your dog and your dog’s mood, because even a healthy dog can have an off day. Here are a few additional tips to help you prevent heat exhuastion in your favourite pup.

  • Hydrate
    Offer water at the signs of panting, and avoid exercise if your dog isn’t drinking enough. Encourage your dog to pre-drink plenty of water in anticipation of a long walk. Additionally, avoid letting your dog drink from puddles, as they can pick up diseases transmitted from other animals. Always carry clean water for yourself and your dog.
  • Time Your Walks
    On very hot days, try to exercise your dog only before sunrise or after sunset.
  • Watch What You Wear
    If you’re wearing a t-shirt or tank top, remember your pal probably needs a rest!
  • Rest Early
    Stop at the earliest signs or overheating -panting or slowing down- and wait until your dog cools off.
  • Seek Shade
    Dogs seek shade instinctively when it’s hot. The sun alone is enough to overheat a dog, especially one with a thick, dark coat or a health condition. Rest and walk in the shade as much as possible, and never tie a dog in the sun or leave it in the yard without shade.
  • Get Wet
    Wet down your dog’s coat, take them for a swim, or spray them with the garden hose.
  • Beware Of The Car
    NEVER leave your dog in a car in the sun. Even in cool weather, the temperature in a car can climb above 48°C (120°F) in 20 minutes. Don’t put your dog right into the car after exercising, either. Cool off both the car and your dog first. Turn on the air conditioning or open the car windows to keep the temperature moderate while you drive.

Signs Of Overheating

Overheating, or hyperthermia, happens when there is a build up of body heat and your dog’s body temperature climbs above the normal maximum of 39.3°C (102.5°F). Hyperthermia begins as heat stress and progresses to heat exhaustion and then, if untreated, to heat stroke, which can be fatal. Here are the signs to watch out for, from mild to severe.

  • Heavy panting, tongue extended
  • Slowing pace
  • Shade seeking
  • Intense thirst
  • Red gums (due to increased blood flow to the mouth)
  • Rapid heart rate, bounding pulse, followed by weak pulse due to dehydration
  • Rapid, laboured breathing
  • Heaving chest
  • Anxiety and confusion
  • Staggering and falling
  • Fainting
  • Vomiting and diarrhea
  • Seizures
  • Coma

Treating Heat Exhaustion

Here are some steps you can take to help alleviate the symptoms of heat exhaustion, until you can get your dog to the vet.

  • Move to a cool, shaded area
  • Encourage drinking
  • Gently hose with cool water or, better, submerge in cool water, keeping water away from the dog’s airway if it’s anxious and panting.
  • Check temperature every 15 minutes, and keep cooling down to 39.3°c (102.5°F) being careful not to go any lower.
  • Transport to a veterinarian while keeping the dog cool with ice packs and water.

For more information about heat stroke and other pet health risks, check out the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association’s Pet Safety Tips! If you are worried that your pet might be suffering from heat exhaustion, please don’t hesitate to Contact Us right away!

FAT CATS AND DOGS: WHAT SHAPE IS YOUR PET IN?

Fat Cats and Dogs – What Shape Is Your Pet?

When it comes to fat cats and dogs, did you know an estimated 50% of dogs and cats in the United States are overweight or obese? And those numbers are only increasing. We are killing our pets when it comes to generosity with food. Most dogs and cats are getting larger for the same reason people are: too much food and not enough exercise. Furthermore, when it comes to cats and dogs even a little extra weight can be large problem.

Overweight pets have a lot of the same problems overweight people do. They are prone to diabetes, joint, ligament and tendon difficulties, and breathing and heart challenges. Overweight cats can even develop skin problems from not being able to groom themselves properly. When your pet is obese their comfort and longevity of life are compromised.

How do you know if your pet is overweight?

Healthy pets have a little padding, but when it comes to cats and dogs, a little is plenty. When you rub your hands over the ribs of your pet the skin should move easily back and forth, and you should be able to feel the ribs. Your pet should have an “hour glass” shape to them, and at the bottom of their rib cage their “waist” should be defined.

What You Can Do

You can help your little fat cats and overweight dogs get back in shape. It’s not as difficult for pets to slim down as it is for their human counterparts. They can’t open refrigerators, grab the car keys to run out for fast food or use a phone to call in for pizza. What and how much pets eat is completely dependent on what is fed to them. And while we may groan at the idea of getting off that comfy couch to exercise, pets however are always willing and ready for a walk, game of fetch, or some play with a toy on a string. Pets love physical activity, especially if their owners are involved.

Once your veterinarian has determined that your pet has no underlying health conditions that could make exercise dangerous, take time out of your schedule to walk your dog or play with your cat daily. Whatever diet you and your veterinarian choose, persevere and stick to it. Do not express your love for your pet with food. If you must, substitute mini rice cakes and small carrot sticks for the occasional dog treat.

It may be difficult in the beginning, but don’t give in. Your pet will live a happier and longer life if they are not obese. For more information on canine and feline obesity, check out VeterinaryPartner.com! or Contact Us.