CBD Products and Pets

CBD Products and Pets
By Dr. Ian Kupkee

As the legal and social status of marijuana and CBD products has shifted, pet owners have been asking questions about the effectiveness of CBD oils and supplements for their furry friends. Anyone who has searched online or in pet stores knows just how many products are available, and how little seems to be known about them.

When shopping for a CBD product, it is important to be able to access the science behind the product. A seller or manufacturer must be able to articulate where the ingredients are sourced, what doses are recommended, whether or not the product has been studied by an independent third party, and if so, whether or not double-blind placebo tests were performed. Products should be full spectrum, and sourced from organically grown plants. Oils should be CO2 extracted and contain no isolates.  Manufacturers or sellers should be able to provide terpine profiles, and copies of research upon the consumers request. Natural products are not immune to side effects or drug interactions, so remember to check with your pet's veterinarian before using any CBD products.

We Are Open And Here For You

We Are Open And Here For You

Just a reminder that we are OPEN for all veterinary procedures, including vaccinations, surgeries, and dentals, for the continued health of your pets.  We are also here should your pets need us for illness as well as preventative veterinary care.  

Thank you for bearing with us as we adjust to the reality of caring for pets in the time of Covid-19. The following is a list of changes we have made to accommodate the safety of our pets, their parents, and our staff. 

• Curbside service - As many of you already know, we continue to see patients on a “curbside” basis, with clients communicating with our doctors via phone from the comfort and safety of their cars.  We are grateful for the support and understanding you have lavished upon us and our team as we continue to adapt.
• Boarding available - While we are unaware of any of our clients testing positive for Covid-19, we have decided to make our boarding kennel available for clients who may need to be hospitalized, or who may need someone else to temporarily care for their pets. Pets will be bathed upon entering the facility, and boarding charges will be applied to the client’s credit card at the end of every week. Since our boarding kennel is small, this service will only be made available to current clients. 

• Pet transport through Equipaws - While veterinary facilities have been deemed essential businesses by the State of Florida, we understand some clients may not wish to leave their homes for a visit to the vet. In the event your pet must come to see us regardless, please call Equipaws Pet Services at (305) 794-3733. While they are not transporting humans at this time, they will bring your pet to us and return them after the visit. You may contact them directly for a list of services and prices, or follow them on Facebook or Instagram. 

• Payment alternatives - We would also like to remind everyone of the payment options that are available for pet owners in these difficult times.  Clients may apply for CareCredit to help pay for veterinary, dental, and certain medical expenses at www.carecredit.com. They may also apply for Scratchpay at www.scratchpay.com. Most veterinary facilities, including ours, accept payment from both organizations. 

• Trupanion Direct Pay to Vet - We are able to take payments directly from Trupanion if you are a policyholder. If your pet is currently in good health, you may wish to consider Trupanion Pet Insurance. Feel free to call our office to see if your pet qualifies for a free 30-day trial. Learn more at https://trupanion.com/fl/pet-insurance.

Finally, in response to Miami’s drastically reduced commuter traffic window, we will now be closing at 5 p.m. Monday through Friday until further notice. Hours closing may vary, so please call ahead to ensure we are here.

Thank you for your continued support in these challenging times.  Stay well.

Sincerely, 

Dr. Ian Kupkee

Lynn Kupkee 

Sabal Chase Animal Clinic

What To Expect From A "Hypoallergenic" Pet

What To Expect From A Hypoallergenic Pet
By Dr. Ian Kupkee

Over the past decade or so, the popularity of "designer" dogs and cats has been on the rise. One of the reasons for the uptick in demand is the claim that many of these hybridized pets are hypoallergenic. It is widely believed these breeds do not shed, and are ideal pets for humans who suffer from allergic responses to dogs or cats. But which breeds are truly 100% allergen free?

Unfortunately, the answer is none of them. While Labradoodle dogs, Rex cats and many others like them create a lighter allergen load, there is no such thing as a truly hypoallergenic dog or cat. Allergens are found in our pets' dead skin cells (or dander), urine, and saliva. While many of these breeds generate fewer allergens than others, there is no guarantee they will not create problems for a human companion with allergies. And while they may shed less hair than their  "allergenic" counterparts, make no mistake - they shed. Before deciding to take home an "allergy free" pet, be sure to spend lots of time with one to ensure they will be the right fit.

Allergy free? Nope, not me!
Image by Pixabay

Meet Outlaw, our March Pet Of The Month

World, meet Outlaw, our March Pet of the Month!

Outlaw is a Boxer mix who was adopted from Miami Dade Animal Services. But don't let this pound puppy's humble roots fool you. This big ham is is an all around love bug whose happy place is anywhere people and other animals. And he loves his fan club here at Sabal Chase. In fact, he's such a rock star, he has his own Instagram - ans substantially more followers than we have! Don't believe us? You too can follow him on the 'Gram at outlaw_of_miami.

Congratulations Outlaw, and share with all your friends (and followers!) - you're not just an #influencer, you're our Pet of the Month!

"I have more followers than my vet!"

Rethinking Retractable Leashes

Perhaps one of the most hotly debated topics between pet owners and pet care professionals is the safety of retractable leashes. Pet owners love them, as they offer dogs the ability to enjoy a certain degree of freedom. Yet behaviorists are quick to point out that these devices were invented to help train tracking and recall skills, and are unsuitable for everyday walking routines. Most dog-friendly public spaces require owners to keep dogs on leashes no longer than six feet in length, and to maintain control over their pets at all times. This is nearly impossible to accomplish when using devices that allow the dog to control the length of the lead - which is often over 20 feet.

Additionally, retractable leashes have been linked to countless injuries to both humans and pets. When the paracord material from which they are made makes contact with human skin, the result is often a deep cut - especially when combined with the speed of a bolting dog. A simple internet search yields countless stories of owners who have suffered from falls, lacerations, vision loss and finger imputations as direct results of accidents caused by retractable leashes. As we head into some of South Florida's most perfect dog walking weather, remember that just like any other task, walking our dogs requires the right tools for the job.

This can easily result in a fall and/or laceration if the dog unexpectedly bolts.

Meet Tillie, Our February Pet Of The Month!

World, meet Tillie, our February Pet Of The Month!

Tillie is a rescued terrier mix who is probably about ten years old. Her eyesight isn't the greatest, but her Mom and Dad love her so much - it just gives them one more reason to watch over her. She loves coming to stay with her friends in our doggie hotel when her parents go out of town. (It's not really a kennel when you take turns being cuddled by everyone. And it's our favorite part of the job!)

Congratulations, Tillie, and share with all your friends - you're our Pet Of The Month!

What Happened To My Perfect Puppy?

It’s no secret that raising a puppy requires a great deal of patience. Chewing, crying, destructiveness, demands for attention, and potty-training mishaps are all just par for the course. But the difficult phase only lasts a few months, right? Wrong. Once your new edition is finished being a puppy, he enters a new, and often far more maddening phase of development: adolescence. Starting anywhere between nine and twelve months of age, that sweet little puppy will become - gasp! - a teenager.

Like human teenagers, adolescent dogs may test the resolve of their superiors. They often revert to the types of behaviors we thought they had long outgrown. Like the rebellious, back-talking teen-aged child, adolescent puppies often leave us scratching our heads, wondering where we went wrong. Obnoxious puppy behaviors such as play biting and jumping on guests may return with a vengeance. This is when behaviors such as growling, food guarding, and blatant disobedience of commands tend to appear seemingly out of nowhere. It is also when dogs are most commonly surrendered to shelters. 

Unaware of the existence of this challenging phase, many people assume they have either failed as dog owners, or are stuck with a “bad dog.” These scenarios are rarely the case. The solution to the Terrible Teens is a combination of consistency, patience, and preparation. Do your research on canine adolescence as soon as you bring your puppy home. As with most other situations, you’ll be happy to have a plan in place when you need one.