Our July Pet of the Month is Cleo!

Meet Cleo, our July Pet of the Month!

This July, our Pet of the Month is Cleo!

At age 12, Cleo has seen quite a few vet visits. But this sassy senior is always happy to see her fan club here at Sabal Chase - with or without her awesome red dancing shoes! Congratulations Cleo, and share with all your friends. You’re our Pet of the Month!

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Stormy Weather

Here in South Florida, June tends to be the rainiest month of the year. And while the wet stuff is a welcome respite from our bone dry winters, the thunder can be terrifying for our pets.  While both cats and dogs can suffer from storm anxiety, cats generally have much better coping skills. Be sure to provide your cat with plenty of places to hide, including closets and underneath beds. Open-mouthed breathing or inappropriate urination may require a trip to vet for some anti-anxiety medication. Don’t try to cuddle or hug a frightened cat unless she initiates. More than likely, she will want to hide by herself, and it is best to let her do that.

It is also wise to give dogs a safe to hide, but unlike their feline counterparts, they may need to be taught to go there. A dog’s “safe space” should be small and cozy, with as much insulation against sound as possible. The corner of a closet can be fitted with a crate that will be further insulated by hanging clothes. Keep chew toys and favorite things inside the crate to encourage your dog to go there, and praise him lavishly when he does so. If you are home when a storm hits, try  running through a routine of any obedience or trick commands your dog may know. This will help boost his confidence, and help him to focus on you, not the storm. For more information on storm anxiety, check out this page on our website! http://www.sabalchaseanimalclinic.com/training/stormanxietytips.html

Hurricane Prep

Remember those balmy, breezy, 75 degree days we enjoyed while New England wa buried in snow? Well, South Floridians, it’s payback time! June marks the beginning of hurricane season, the time of the year when friends to the north DON’T want to be here!

Many people know that South Florida has hurricane shelters that allow you to bring your pets. What many people do not know, however, is that only some of our shelters are pet-friendly, and your pets must be registered ahead of time. For information on pre-registration, click here. http://www.miamidade.gov/animals/library/pet_shelter_booklet.pdf. Since spaces are limited, do this now if you would like to use this service.

When preparing your hurricane supply list, don’t forget about your pets. Make sure you have enough non-perishable food and bottled water for your pets, and double check the contents of their first aid kit. Be sure to refill their supplements and prescription medications. Decide where your pet will ride out a storm and have plenty of toys to keep him occupied. In Miami, hurricane preparation is a fact of life. It’s a small price to pay for living in the vibrant, sunny, diverse metropolis we are privileged enough to call home.

Meet Humo, Our June Pet of the Month!

Meet Humo, our June Pet of the Month!

June is Adopt A Cat Month! And three-year-old Humo hit the jackpot with his adoptive family!

When it comes to showing signs of illness, cats can be masters of disguise. But when Humo's mom noticed he seemed down and out, she brought him right in for a checkup. As it turned out, Humo was suffering from a urinary tract condition which could have led to a complicated and costly surgery. Thanks to his mom's quick thinking and TLC, Humo is back to his old self - and up to his usual tricks!

Congratulations, Humo, and share with all your friends! You're our Pet of the Month!

To learn more, visit our website at sabalchaseanimalclinic.com/home.html

Don't Push a Patient Pet

Last year, an acquaintance told my wife that they were forced to rehome their dog after said dog bit their daughter. When my wife asked if anyone knew what provoked the bite, the mother replied, “Absolutely nothing! Maddie was just in front of Peaches’s face, barking at Peaches like she was a dog. It’s their favorite game - they played it all the time. But this time, Peaches just snapped.”

Let me make this perfectly clear. Dogs NEVER “just snap”. EVER.

I am willing to bet that a fly on the wall would have seen a dog that was showing subtle signs of discomfort, stress, avoidance, or aggravation. And just like their human companions, every dog has a breaking point. A pet that is being tolerant of that kind of in-your-face (literally) behavior, should be rewarded, not forced to endure it further. Instruct children who are harassing dogs that what’s fun for them is considered rude to dogs. Remove younger children from the situation. For older children, take advantage of the teachable moment to learn about more appropriate ways to interact with the family pet.  A patient pet should be cherished and loved, not forced into a situation that causes her to lose her home.

For more information on preventing dog bites to children, click

here.

http://sabalchaseanimalclinic.com/training/usefuladviceforparents.html

To watch Theresa and Betty teach bite prevention at a local pre-school, click here!

http://sabalchaseanimalclinic.com/training/teachkidstoavoidbites.html

It's Getting Hot Out There!

It’s Getting Hot out There!

While the rest of the country begins to thaw, Spring in South Florida is beginning to sizzle. While the animal care community invests copious resources warning pet parents about the dangers of heat, veterinarians still see a surprising number of heat related injuries and emergencies.

As temperatures begin to climb, pet parents need to take special care not to forget about pets that are in their cars. A startling number of American pets still die in locked cars during the summer months. Even on an overcast day, temperatures inside a locked car can reach lethal levels very quickly. Animal care activists have suggested that pet parents tie a ribbon around the door handle or steering wheel of their vehicles every time they have their pets in the car. In theory, this should serve as a reminder of a pet’s presence.

The following is a video made by a colleague named Dr. Ernie Ward. To raise awareness of heat related pet deaths, Dr. Ward sat in a hot car with the windows slightly open and documented his own response. It is everyone’s hope that his efforts will help pet parents to pay more attention to the fur babies in the back seat.

May Pet of the Month

Meet Cujo, our May Pet of the Month. Cujo is a 10 year old Sharpei mix with a heart of gold, and the spirit of a champion! In September Cujo was diagnosed with a type of cancer known as distal jejunum adenocarcinoma. His mom and dad wasted no time starting chemotherapy treatment. After 6 months of treatment Cujo was officially in remission and showing no signs of slowing down. This big marshmallow is both a lover and a fighter! Congratulations Cujo and tell all your friends- you're our May Pet of the Month!