Hands-On Healing

Massage is great therapy for us, and many believe the same is true for our pets.  Studies prove many benefits for you and your pet during a massage session.  The soothing sensation of touch and manipulation of muscles helps to increase the overall sense of wellness and to reduce stress.  Massage increases flexibility, movement, and blood circulation, reduces pain and recovery time from surgery or trauma, and is a benefit to the lymphatic and nervous systems.  Massage relaxes muscles and reduces strain, thus helping to avoid injury.

Touch is very important to physical and emotional well being.  This bonding time with your pet gives you a better chance to detect subtle changes (improving your knowledge of your pet's anatomy, condition and emotions while discovering any lumps, thickened skin, ticks, or painful joints) that might need medical attention--the powers of observation become a lifesaver.

Passive touch, joint movement, and stroking helps in socializing your pet, enhances the human-animal bond, increases acceptance of grooming, mouth care, and nail trimming.  In turn, our time spent with our pets lowers our stress levels by focusing attention away from our own worries.

Caring for a pet provides consistency to our lives--giving us something to look forward to each day, provides a quiet time for contemplation and reflection, and empowers us to improve our pet's health and healing, while increasing our compassion toward all living creatures.

The Escondido Humane Society just announced a new program to help ease the stress of kennel life for dogs. 

Studies have shown that firm stroking and massage of the neck and shoulder is extremely beneficial in reducing the level of cortisol for kenneled dogs. 

In addition, they are also incorporating aromatherapy to help calm and relax, helping kenneled dogs deal with their time in an unfamiliar place.  They have seen dramatic, positive results, which has initiated the massage program.  Massage training will be offered for all of the volunteers at the Escondido Humane Society.  If you are interested in learning how to massage EHS dogs and join their volunteer team, please contact Micki Hickox, Director of Volunteer Services, at 760-888-2270.

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Medicating Your Pet

Do you find it easy to give a pill or liquid medication to your pet?  Not many of us do.  Well, now it's easy!  We have a compounding agent right here in our office to formulate many pills, capsules, tablets and liquid medications into a tasty liquid suspension.  We have 16 flavors and a complete list of the medications that can be compounded, so before you get your next refill, be sure to ask about the FlavorX process.

For some medications, we also offer as a special order item, a transdermal gel as an alternative to oral medication (a gel substance that is applied to the inside of the ear flap, just rub it on).  Additionally, as a special order item, we offer a tasty chewable tablet in nearly a dozen flavors to enhance your pets medication into a tasty treat they will beg for.  Please call for information as not all medications can be compounded/enhanced.

It is very important to give medication as prescribed.  Missed doses can become a very serious problem.  These choices give you the tools to make sure your pet is getting proper and complete care.

Can You Tell if Your Pet is Overweight?

You can do this at home, but a regular "wellness" check-up with your veterinarian is essential to your pet's health.

While your pet is standing, run your hand along the ribs of your pet--can you feel them as shallow indents under the skin?  You should be able to count them by touch, but they shouldn't be protruding so much that you can count them by sight.  He should have a "waist", indented at the belly from behind the ribs to the hips.  If you can't feel his ribs or see his waist, then bring him in for a check-up and baseline beginning on a weight loss program prescribed specifically for him by his veterinarian.

Remember............feed the pet, not the bowl !  Use a measuring cup when scooping the dry food, so you know exactly how much you are serving.

Obesity leads to severe cardiovascular problems, hip dysplasia, osteoarthritis, and other degenerative joint diseases.  Studies show that overweight pets have shorter lives than healthy pets.

Along those same lines..............Playtime is learning time, and a great time for exercise.  General stimulation of animals affects the parts of the brain, pituitary gland and adrenals that are involved with reactions to stress.  Socialized and handled kittens and puppies are less emotional and more adventurous, playful and quicker to learn and ever so ready to please.

Some added benefits are the physical exercise and bonding skills that come naturally to happy, healthy pets.  And, even an increased lifespan!  Simple games or rowdy sessions, play gives the opportunity to evoke good social behaviors and is encouraged by the presence of a like-minded playmate (YOU!).

***Please note;  Because of metabolic idiosyncrasies that are different from the dogs',  starting a cat on a reducing diet should never be done without the close supervision of a veterinarian.  Cats are prone to developing a dangerous condition called Hepatic Lipidosis if their caloric intake is suddenly restricted.

Give your pet a long and healthy life; let us help!

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Show Your Pet How Much You Care

We love our pets more than ever. They are no longer just a diversion. In fact, they have become like children in the home for many of us. From the stories that are shared with us on a daily basis, it seems that you feel the same way. Pets entertain us, make us laugh, and love us unconditionally. What can we do to show them our thanks?

Besides keeping your pet in the best of health,  here's a list of things you can do to show your pet how much you care:

*Spend quality time with them by going for a walk, hanging out in the back yard, playing games with their favorite toys, or snuggling with them as you watch TV.

*Always get them immediate veterinary care if you suspect that something is wrong. If you don't have a solid relationship with your veterinarian, work on that for the sake of your pet. In this time of managed human health care, your pets often get better, more consistent, individualized care than we do. A respected veterinarian is your greatest ally.

*Feed them healthy food intended for their consumption, not potato chips, cookies, and other fatty human foods.

*Protect them from home hazards and from extremes of weather. They cannot protect themselves.

*Update your pet's identification tags, and have them microchipped. Many of us move, change phone numbers(or have our phone numbers blocked from unknown incoming calls), and take our pets on vacation with us, but forget to update the tags. Perish the thought, but if your pet gets lost, these are the best tools to ensure a safe return. On that note, fix that fence if it is a problem. Make sure the gardener, pest control employees, the pool guy, and any other regulars that visit your home and yards are educated to the fact that they MUST close the gates.  And if you have a master escapee in your home, talk to your veterinarian or a noted trainer in your area regarding appropriate, humane behavior modification for your pet.

*Massage.......... stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system which is in charge of regulating endorphins.  Send a lot of love in your touch........ love is a strong medicine, channeling love into positive thought fills your pet with contentment.
Our pets are constantly pouring into us, providing much needed understanding and unconditional love. Pass it on, give some back.

HEY, KIDS!

Go to the website link listed below and print out one of the coloring posters

http://www.healthypet.com/color.aspx

When you are finished coloring, mail your masterpiece to:

Website Coloring
AAHA
PO Box 150899
Denver, CO 80215-0899

If you include a self-addressed, stamped, business-sized envelope, you will get a sticker in exchange for your masterpiece!!  Each poster will be entered to win special monthly prizes. Remember.... caring kids care for pets!