Planning Ahead To Keep Our Pets Safe

Winter storms, wildfires, hurricanes and others natural disasters can occur at any time in the state of Georgia. For that reason, it is essential to prepare yourself and your pets in case of an emergency situation.

• Create a Pet Emergency Kit : This kit should be essential part of your emergency plans. To learn how to create one yourself, please watch the following video.

• Keep your Pet Emergency Kit and pet's carriers together: Make sure your pet carriers are label with your contact information.
• Place a sticker near your home's front door: The sticker should indicate the number and type of pets residing in your household.

• Plan a safety location for you and your pet ahead of time: Keep in mind that not all disaster shelters accept pets. Take some time to find some pet-friendly evacuation locations in your area. Check with your local veterinary hospitals, pet boarding facilities, pet-friendly hotels and  motels. Unfortunately, our hospital has a very limited boarding space, but we recommend the following facilities to board your pets in case of emergency

                    Fair Oaks Veterinary Hospital: Phone (770) 432-7155

                    All Breed Pet Grooming and Boarding : Phone (770) 435-2854

                    Lakeview Animal Hospital: Phone (770) 435-2552

    

• Never leave your pets behind: Even if your home is not affected during a natural disaster,               you can   not forecast when you will be able to come back home.
•  Microchip your pets and keep a collar with up to date rabies tag  on them all the time:            Proper  identification enhances the chances of your pet be reunited with you after a major disaster        event.  Please take advantage of our low cost microchipping service for only $30.  
• Talk with neighbors in case you are not at home when an emergency strikes: Show your           neighbors, friends, family and pet sitters, where your pet emergency kit and carriers are located           should an emergency occur while you are not at home. 
• Train you pets to come when called: Training your pet to come to a particular call can prove to       be  a life-saving preventive.
•  Stay calm: The calmer you can keep yourself, the more relaxed your pet will feel. A pheromone spray or the use of a Thundershirt can be very helpful when stress levels are running high.
•  Keep things familiar: Maintain the feeding schedule as routine as possible. Also keep their                favorite toys, blankets and bedding in the pet carrier.

For more information please contact us a (404) 366-4370 or visit our website .

Important Tips To Consider Before Buying Pet Insurance

If you decide to purchase pet insurance, there are several companies to choose from. Most provide coverage throughout the United States and offer flexible plans you can use with any veterinarian. Some even include discounts for multiple pets. Here are some tips that can help you the insurance that is best for your family pet and your pocket.

1. Research pet health insurance policies before or soon after you obtain a pet.
2. Enroll your pet when he / she is healthy.
3. Ask your veterinarian which illness are most likely to affect pets like yours, and investigate coverage for those ailments.
4. Ask your veterinarian , hospital staff and friends for pet health insurance company recommendations. At our hospital we recommend Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI) , Pet Assure and ASPCA Pet Health Insurance .
5. Compare policies offered by at least three different companies.
6. Make sure you understand how the policies will calculate reimbursement of benefits.
7. Ask how often your premium will change and why.
8. Ask how much your premium will be in the future.
9. Ask how long the company has been in business.
10. Ask if the numbers of claims submitted affects your premium.
11. Choose the deductible and required co-payment you can afford.
12. Visit independent websites with customer reviews of providers and policies.

Visit each company social media pages to see what comments their policy holders are posting.

Please watch the following short video with 3 additional useful tips to use before buying pet insurance.

As always, if you have any questions about pet insurance or wellness plans for you pets please call us at (404) 366-4370.

Four Recommendations That Can Help A Cat With Arthritis

Arthritis is a very common condition diagnosed in geriatric cats. Most of the time this painful condition is treated with pain medications and nutritional supplements. Recent studies provide indications  that certain environmental changes and the use of diets can reduce the amount of pain this cats tend to suffer. Here are four easy recommendations that can improve the quality of life of a cat diagnosed with arthritis.

(1) Probably the most important recommendation is to keep your cat in a healthy weight range. It can help him to maintain mobility and feel better.

(2) Provide your cat with softer bedding for a more comfortable sleep.

(3) Use ramps to help your cat reach his favorite perch.

(4) Place the food and water bowls on the floor or placed at the cat's elbow levels.

If you have any questions on how to deal with a cat with arthritis, please give us a call. Our phone number is (404) 366-4370.

The Top Ten Poisons For Dogs

Pet owners need to be aware that there are certain household items and medication that can put their dogs in danger. For that reason we had created the following list of the most common products involved in cases of dog poisoning across the United States.

1. Chocolate: Bakers and dark chocolate are the most toxic to dogs. Milk chocolate can be dangerous only if ingested in large amounts.  Remember that the darker the chocolate the most dangerous is to your dog.
2. Xylitol: This  sweetener found in sugar-less chewing gum and candy, medications and nasal sprays causes rapid drop in blood sugar. 
3. NSAIDS: Ibuprofen, naproxen and so on, found in products like Advil, Motrin and Aleve, are not easily metabolized by dogs. These products produce stomach ulcers and kidney failure.
4. Over the counter cough, cold and allergy medications: Those products that contain acetaminophen or decongestants, such pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine are particularly toxic.
5. Rodenticides (mouse poison): Products that contain brodifacoum and bromadiolone can cause internal bleeding. Products with the ingredient bromethalin can cause brain swelling even if  a small amount is ingested.
6. Grapes and raisins: These harmless human foods cause kidney damage in dogs.
7. Insect bait stations: These rarely cause poisoning in dogs- the bigger risk is bowel obstruction when dogs swallow the plastic casing.
8. Prescription medications for ADD/ADHD: Amphetamines such as Adderall, Concerta, Dexedrine and Vyvanse can cause tremors, seizures, cardiac problems and death in dogs.
9. Glucosamine joint supplements: Overdoses of products such as Cosequin and More Free typically only cause diarrhea; however, in rare cases liver failure can develop.
10. Oxygen absorbers and silica gel packets: Iron-containing oxygen absorbers found in food packages like beef jerky or pet treats can cause iron poisoning. Silica  gel packs, found in new shoes, purses or backpacks is rarely a concern.

If you think that your dog has been exposed or ingested one of the above products or if you have any questions about other toxins that can affect dogs, please call one of the following numbers:

Pet Poison Help Line : 1-800-213-6680 ( $39 per incident fee applies)

Union City Veterinary Medical Center & Emergency Clinic : 770-964-0700

Southern Crescent Animal Emergency : 770-460-8166

Check our video Ten Toxins That Can Kill Your Dog.

Seven Useful Health Care Tips For Puppies

Got a new furry member in your family? Congratulations and welcome to the joys of owning a new puppy. Get ready for an exciting journey as this new member enriches your family. Please remember that raising your new friend takes more than love; your pet needs a preventive health care program too. Here are our seven useful tips that you implement as a regular routine at home to keep your new friend healthy and happy:

1. Have your puppy vaccinated against dangerous diseases based on the advice of your veterinarian. Check our posts about first set of vaccines, second set of vaccines and third set of vaccines for more information.
2. Make sure to give your pet monthly preventive care for heartworms and control of fleas, ticks and intestinal parasites. 
3. Puppies benefit from having a crate, which not only serves as a source of security but can also help with house-training. Adding a pet bed, blanket or even a towel will make it a comfortable place to sleep.
4. Follow your veterinarian's advice concerning the type and amount of food to give your puppy and be sure to designate a clean, quiet area where your dog's food  and water bowls are consistently placed.
5. Brush your puppy's hair coat regularly to remove shed hair and hair mats; bathe him or her no more than once every two weeks with puppy shampoo.
6. Make sure your puppy gets adequate exercise.
7. Protect your puppy from household hazards including electric cords, poisonous plants and household chemicals.     

Remember that puppies require a lot of attention, veterinary care, feeding, socialization and training. Do not hesitate in calling us if you have any questions about how to take care of than important member of your family.

Second Set Of Vaccines For Puppies Only $59.00

At our hospital the second set of vaccine for puppies is only $59.00 . This vaccines package includes: physical exam, vaccines against distemper, parvovirus, hepatitis, parainfluenza and bordetella. Also includes prophylactic deworming and nail trim. Please call (404) 366-4370 to make an appointment.
Check our post Puppies First Set Of Vaccines for more information about our low cost program.

Puppies First Set Of Vaccines Only $49.00

 

Veterinary Medical Center of Clayton offers a reduced cost vaccine program to our local community. Our first set of puppy vaccines is only $49.00 and includes a physical exam, vaccines against Distemper, Parvovirus, Hepatitis and Parainfluenza plus  deworming against hookworms and roundworms. This package also includes a courtesy nail trim and ear cleaning. Please call (404) 366-4370 to make an appointment. 

 

 

 

 

 Check our post second set of puppy vaccines for additional information about of low cost program.