Twice yearly wellness exams help detect, treat and, ideally, prevent problems before they become life threatening. Physical examination,  taking your pet's history,  blood and urine screenings, and updating vaccinations are all efforts to keep your pet as healthy as possible for as long as possible.

    Dogs and cats have a shorter lifespan than humans, which means they need more frequent care than humans. One of our years is equal to about 7 years of a dog or cat's life. They also hide the fact that they are sick until the illness is severe, because in the wild this helped  animals to survive. This means that the most important part of your pet's visit to the veterinarian is the physical examination. Imagine if you couldn't tell someone you felt bad or where it hurt.

    Pet owners can take control of their pet's health in two ways. First, schedule a wellness exam for your pet every six months with the veterinarian. Second, inform the veterinarian and clinic staff about changes taking place with your pet. Topics owners should be prepared to discuss with their veterinarian about their pet include:

• Any changes in weight, diet, eating, drinking, elimination or behavior
• The pet aging process and how it affects pet health
• Environmental exposures ? indoors and outside
• Use of any over-the-counter medication
• Health of any other household pets
• Travel plans involving your pet
• Vaccination and preventive health care plans

    Testing recommendations, based on your pet's breed, age and lifestyle, will be made at each physical examination. Routine blood and urine tests  and heartworm tests are recommended every 12 months for healthy, under 5 year old dogs and cats. Strategic dewormings, Kennel cough (Bordetella)vaccination for dogs and intestinal parasite screening tests are recommended every 6 months. Pets with chronic disease, specific breeds at risk for medical problems and older pets usually need more frequent testing and examinations.

    Most of the diseases pets may experience are similar to human diseases. Diabetes, liver disease and allergies are just a few of the health problems found in companion animals. Make sure your furry companion is as healthy on the inside as they look on the outside!

What you should know about traveling with your pet

Courtesy of GVMA

Planning and Preparation

Planning and preparation are necessary when traveling with family pets. Consider whether your pet is comfortable when traveling. Some animals, like some people, function better in familiar surroundings. A car-sick animal can make a trip miserable for everyone. Some dogs and cats cannot withstand the rigors of travel due to illness, injury, or temperament. If this is the case, discuss options such as using a reliable pet-sitter or a clean, well-managed boarding facility with your veterinarian.

If you will be staying with friends along the way, be considerate. Find out in advance if the pet is welcome. The same goes for hotels, motels, parks, and campgrounds. Always check whether pets are allowed or kennel facilities are available. If the pet must be left alone in a hotel room, place a "Do Not Disturb" sign on the door and inform the maid and the front desk. Consider bringing along a portable kennel for use in hotel rooms or the homes of friends or relatives who are not comfortable having your pet loose when no one is home.

A few general tips apply whether you travel by car or plane. Be sure your pet is properly identified with a current tag and/or a microchip. Grooming (bathing, combing, trimming nails) before a trip, plus having its favorite food, toy(s), and dishes available will make your pet more comfortable. Have proof of rabies vaccination and a current health certificate with you when crossing state or international borders. Keep a photo of your pet with you to help with identification in case your pet is lost.

Before undertaking any trip, consult your veterinarian to be sure that all required vaccinations are up-to-date and to receive a health certificate within ten days of travel.

Travel by Air

Air travel is of most concern to pet owners. The airlines sometimes update their regulations on pet travel including restrictions on breeds and size, and may charge for checked kennels. Most airlines require a health certificate issued within 10 days prior to travel. Check with the airline well in advance for their current regulations. Many of the major airlines allow cats and small dogs to travel in specially designed carry-on luggage that will fit under the seat.

Federal regulations require that pets be at least 8 weeks old and weaned at least 5 days before flying. Always try to book a nonstop flight and avoid plane changes and busy holidays whenever possible. During warm weather periods, choose early morning or late evening flights. In colder months, choose midday flights. Regulations associated with the Federal Animal Welfare Act prohibit airlines from accepting dogs and cats for shipment if the airline cannot prevent exposure of the animal to temperatures less than 45 degrees F (7.2 C) or more than 85 degrees F (29.5 C) for more than 45 minutes when the animal is transferred between the terminal and the plane, or for more than 4 hours when the animal is in a holding facility. However, the prohibition against exposure to temperatures below 45 degrees F is waived if a veterinarian provides an acclimation certificate stating that the dog or cat can be exposed to lower temperatures. Your veterinarian cannot give a certificate allowing exposures to temperatures above 85 degrees F for more than 45 minutes. Brachycephalic (short-nosed) dogs may have more difficulty with air travel.

Reconfirm your flight arrangements the day before you leave to ensure there have been no unexpected flight changes. Arrive at the airport early, exercise your pet, personally place it in its crate, and pick up the animal promptly upon arrival at your destination. When boarding the plane, let the flight attendant know that your pet is in the cargo hold. If your pet will be traveling with you in the cabin, arrange to check in as late as possible to reduce the amount of time your pet will have to spend in the busy terminal.

Defective kennels are the most common cause of escaped or injured animals during air travel. Approved transport crates, available from most airlines or pet shops, must:

• Be large enough to allow the animal to stand (without touching the top of the cage), sit erect, turn around, and lie down in a natural position.
• Latch securely.
• Be strong and free of interior protrusions, with handle or grips.
• Have a solid, leak-proof bottom that is covered with plenty of absorbent material.
• Be appropriately and clearly labeled. Include your name, home address, home phone number, and destination contact information, as well as a designation of "Live Animals," with arrows indicating the crate's upright position. In addition, carry your pet's photo and health information with you on the plane for easy identification in the event the cage label is lost.
• Be adequately ventilated so that airflow is not impeded.

Before leaving on your trip, take time to accustom your pet to the crate in which it will be traveling.

Ask your veterinarian for specific feeding instructions. For your pet's comfort, air travel on an almost empty stomach is usually recommended. The age and size of your pet, time and distance of the flight, and your pet's regular dietary routine will be considered when feeding recommendations are made. It is recommended that you not give tranquilizers to your pet when traveling by air because they can increase the risk of heart or respiratory problems.

Travel by Car

If your pet is not accustomed to car travel, take it for a few short rides before your trip so it will feel confident that a car outing does not necessarily mean a trip to the veterinarian or an unpleasant destination. Cats should always be confined to a cage or in a cat carrier to allow them to feel secure and prevent them from crawling under your feet while you are driving.

A dog that must ride in a truck bed should be confined in a protective kennel that is fastened to the truck bed. Dogs riding in a car should not ride in the passenger seat if it is equipped with an airbag, and should not be allowed to sit on the driver's lap. Harnesses, tethers, and other accessories to secure pets during car travel are available at most pet stores. Accustom your dog to a seatbelt harness by attaching a leash and taking your dog for short walks while wearing it. Offer your dog a treat and praise at the end of the walk to associate a positive experience with wearing the harness. Pets should not be allowed to ride with their heads outside car windows. Particles of dirt or other debris can enter the eyes, ears, and nose, causing injury or infection.

Stick to your regular feeding routine and give the main meal at the end of the day or when you reach your destination. Feeding dry food will be more convenient, assuming your pet readily consumes it. Dispose of unused canned food unless it can be refrigerated. Take along a plastic jug of cold water in case other reliable water sources are not available. Give small portions of food and water and plan to stop every two hours for exercise. Remember to include a leash with your pet's traveling supplies. If your dog is has a problem with carsickness, your veterinarian can prescribe medication that will help the dog feel comfortable during a long car trip. Pets should not be left unattended in cars.

Travel by Bus or Train

Most states prohibit animals from riding on buses and similar regulations restrict travel on trains. Exceptions are made for guide and service dogs accompanying blind and disabled persons. Consult your local carriers in advance for information.

Camping With Pets

Traveling to country settings with your pet presents its own challenges. Skunks, raccoons, porcupines, snakes, and other wildlife can bite or otherwise injure your pet. Keep your pet within sight and on a leash. Be considerate of other campers. Be sure to ask your veterinarian about flea, tick, and heartworm prevention before you leave.

Additional Pet Travel and Health Tips

• When traveling by car, pack a simple pet first-aid kit that includes assorted bandages, antiseptic cream, an antidiarrheal medication that is safe for pets (ask your veterinarian to suggest a product), gauze squares, and the phone numbers of your veterinarian, a national poison control hotline, and a 24-hour emergency veterinary hospital
• In addition to a standard identification tag (which should be labeled with your name, home address, and phone number), your pet's collar should include a travel tag with information on where you are staying while away from home. Should your pet become lost, this will allow you to be contacted locally.
• Perform a daily "health check" on your pet when away from home. In unfamiliar surroundings, your pet's appetite, energy, and disposition may change. Watch for unusual discharges from the nose and eyes, excessive scratching or biting of any body part, abnormal elimination, or excessive water consumption. Visit a local veterinarian if you are concerned about any physical or behavioral changes.

For more Information and helpful tips on traveling with your pet

United States Department of Transportation Aviation Consumer Protection Division
http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/publications/animals.htm

United States Department of Agriculture Animal Care Pet Travel Page
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_welfare/pet_travel/pet_travel.shtml

International Air Transport Association Live Animals Transportation by Air
http://www.iata.org/whatwedo/cargo/live_animals/index.html

VALENTINES DAY CANDY

Chocolate and caffeine can be toxic to your pets. However, each animal is different in the amount of chocolate they can eat before it becomes dangerous. Toxic signs in dogs and cats may include changes in heart rates, seizures, internal bleeding, vomiting, diarrhea and loss of appetite. The amount of toxic material in chocolate depends on the type and quantity eaten by your pet. The cocoa (or cacao) used to make chocolate carries the toxins, so the stronger/darker/?higher quality? the chocolate is, the more toxic it is.

A 40 pound dog will probably show serious digestive system signs after eating less than 8.5 ounces of dark chocolate, but may show no signs until more than twice as much milk chocolate is eaten. A typical ?Bakers Chocolate? bar (0.88 oz) can make a 44 pound dog sick. (There are also reports that mulch made from Cacao bean shells is dangerous to pets and other animals because of the same toxins.)

If your pet has eaten chocolate and it has been less than one hour, induce vomiting and call your veterinarian. To induce vomiting, you may give 1 tablespoon of Hydrogen Peroxide per 20 pounds. Wait 10 minutes. If needed, repeat once after 10 minutes. NO MORE THAN 3 TABLESPOONS total given! If it has been 1 hour or more, call your veterinarian immediately.

SPRING PLANTS

Just remember that identification of a specific plant may be difficult. They can have common names that differ and come in all colors and varieties. Sometimes one may need the help of a botanist or nursery employee.

An excellent source for identification of toxic plants or questions and concerns about toxins in general is the ASPCA. Their web site is www.apcc.aspca.com.

Lilies: THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR CAT OWNERS SINCE CATS ARE VERY SENSITIVE TO LILIES!
Lilies have no effect on dogs.

All portions of the plant and even the pollen are toxic to cats. As little as 1 leaf can be fatal. The toxic principle has not been determined. Clinical signs like vomiting, loss of appetite, depression, and dehydration can start in 2-6 hours. Some cats just ?don?t act right?, hiding or being less active. Elevated kidney values and electrolytes in the blood system happen as fast as 24-72 hours after ingestion. Postponing treatment for greater than 18 hours after exposure can result in irreversible kidney failure and death. In some cases, a cat may recover but can take weeks and still may suffer from chronic kidney failure. Veterinary care should be sought immediately if you think your cat has ingested any of the lilies listed above. This is true even if only a small amount was eaten and even if the cat is acting normally, since the damage is permanent by the time the cat acts sick.