It is best to prevent tick bites through avoidance or removing ticks right away before they have time to transmit disease. The process of disease transmission requires a minimum length of time for the tick to feed, which means that if the tick is removed promptly, then the host will not get the disease.

You can keep your pet on a trimmed lawn and on-leash when in the woods. It is recommended to look for ticks by combing through your pet’s fur when he/she comes back from playing in wooded areas or areas with long grass.  A tick can be removed at home with tweezers or by a technician at our clinic.

The Public Health Agency of Canada has some strategies to reduce risk for pets and humans alike. {Link https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/lyme-disease/prevention-lyme-disease.html

There are several veterinary products that kill and repel ticks:

• There are spot-on and oral products available for dogs and spot-on products for cats that are available by veterinary prescription.
• All tick products should still be combined with tick avoidance strategies.

Coventry Animal Hospital tests for tick-borne diseases at the time we perform a yearly blood test to screen for exposure to heartworm. Tick prevention is safe to use even in the event that a dog’s blood sample shows that it has been exposed to a tick-borne disease.

We have had some unseasonably warm weather here in Perth County – which means that ticks are active! There are two spikes in the tick population each year, occurring in the early spring and late fall.  However, any time the temperature is above 4C, ticks are on the move and searching for a warm body to feed on.

Ticks are arachnids that feed on blood from small wildlife, dogs, cats and humans. Female ticks require a blood meal to complete their life cycle.  Ticks start as eggs laid in the summer, emerge as larvae in the fall, molt into nymphs in the winter and end up as adults in the spring.

• An immature tick is the size of a freckle.
• An adult tick is the size of a sesame seed.
• An engorged adult tick is the size of a pencil eraser.

Ticks are mostly found in wooded areas, along the side of trails, playgrounds and grassy areas in urban areas. There are several species of ticks.  The deer tickfeeds primarily on white-tailed deer in its adult form, but all life-stages of the tick will feed on dogs and humans.

Tick bites are usually not painful, but cause some mild swelling and redness. The bad part is that tick bites can transmit diseases; Lyme disease is one of the most prevalent in our region.

Tick numbers are on the rise in this part of the country.

Here is a map of Canada with the number of tick-borne diseases reported in dogs tested with a blood sample since 2017: http://www.petdiseasereport.com/content/prevmap.aspx

The Public Health Agency of Canada has a map with locations in Ontario that have the highest risk of Lyme disease transmission.

Most dogs have a huge desire to chew. Many people picture puppies with their sharp teeth exploring their surroundings through chewing, but after even after a puppy’s adult teeth erupt, they will continue to chew and may even be quite destructive chewers for the first 2 years.  Many dogs chew as a relaxing pastime and before they fall asleep.

Here are some ideas that may help you keep your puppy/dog and house safe from injury:

• Assume that your puppy and young dog will chew things when left unattended

• Plan for this by having a safe area for your dog to rest, such as a crate, kennel or room barricaded by a baby gate
• Bitter apple spray can be applied several times a day to a table leg or other inappropriate item that it is starting to gnaw on
• Close doors to deny access to forbidden items

• Nothing is completely safe, but you will still need to provide them with options to chew
  • Supervise your pup with new toys

• Dogs prefer different textures at different life stages
  • Experiment with different textures and observe the chewing habits of your dog to determine which toys are safest for it.
  • Select a toy that can’t be swallowed or break off into small pieces

• Never allow your dog to play with/chew old articles of clothing or shoes, as it may think that means that even your new clothes and shoes are fair game!

• Have a variety of options ready for your dog at a moment’s notice
  • Consider raw vegetables, such as carrots or celery
  • Toys with food compartments can provide mental stimulation

• Assume that your puppy/young dog will chew anything left in the crate
  • Don’t leave it unsupervised with a blanket in the crate until you have tested this for short periods while you are home

• Sometimes chews that are extra-hard and marketed as indestructible may actually cause more damage to your dog
  • Such super-hard items may result in broken teeth when they are chewed on
  • Offering your dog bones to chew can be risky

• Throw away a toy as soon as it is damaged, so that it can’t cause injury to your dog
  • There are occasional reports of trauma to the underlying dental (alveolar) bone of dogs with punctured gums from broken toys

• Certain toys are best left for play time with their favourite person – you!

The really neat thing is that we see mature dogs that still have their soft stuffed toys in one piece; on the other end of the spectrum, we see dogs that chew through the “indestructible” variety of toys in one session. Dogs have individual tastes and they will show you their preferences in chew toys.

If you are finding that your dog’s chewing seems to be excessive and uncontrolled, perhaps your dog needs another outlet for its pent-up energy/boredom/anxiety. Here are some non-chewing suggestions for your pooch: http://www.pethealthnetwork.com/dog-health/dog-behavior/benefits-tired-dog.

If you have any questions talk to our team members at Coventry Animal Hospital.

Cats usually have at least one poop per day and should not strain excessively. Constipation is an abnormal amount of feces that has accumulated in the colon and is difficult to pass.  Cats with constipation may have reduced or no bowel movements in the litter box.

The more time that feces sits in the colon (large intestine), the more water is absorbed from the stool, creating a vicious cycle that makes it even more difficult for the cat to poop. Sometimes, when a cat strains to defecate, the hard stool will act like a partial obstruction and small amounts of liquid stool will continue to pass around the hard stool pieces, giving the false impression that the cat has diarrhea.

 Signs that your cat may have constipation:

1)      Abdominal discomfort, such as a hunched painful appearance

2)      Straining to poop and crying in the litter box

3)      Pooping outside of the litter box

4)      Passing small hard pellets of stool

5)      Passing small amounts of liquid stool or blood/mucus

6)      Vomiting

7)      Lack of appetite

8)      Lack of energy/hiding

What does a normal feline bowel movement look like?

Here is a fecal scoring chart that is a handy way of assessing whether your cat’s stools are normal.

In the images below, score 3 is an example of a normal bowel movement.

What causes constipation in cats?

Here are some risk factors:

• Being a senior or geriatric cat
• Having hairballs
• Ingesting foreign material, such as plants or carpet
• Having arthritis or a narrowed pelvic canal from a previous injury
• Being obese
• Being dehydrated (which occurs commonly in cats with chronic kidney disease)
• Having decreased nerve/muscle function (for example, the tailless Manx cat)

Treatment of constipation

If your cat is diagnosed with constipation, through a physical exam and possibly by x-ray, one of the therapies below may be recommended:

• Laxative/stool softener
• Enema
• Hospitalization and re-hydration with IV fluids
• Manual evacuation of the colon
• Abdominal surgery to remove obstruction from the colon
• Medication to increase the ability of the colon to contract

If constipation is left untreated, it can lead to obstipation, which is the inability to empty the colon. This can lead to megacolon, which is a condition that results in loss of the colon’s motility.  Severe cases may need to be treated with surgical removal of a portion of the colon.

 What can I do to prevent my cat from becoming constipated?

• Add moisture to the diet – in the form of cat fountains, canned food or water added to food
• Add fibre to the diet
• Add exercise – this encourages the smooth muscle to push stool towards the rectum
• Add pain management for arthritis
• Add a mild laxative – for hairball control
• Any medications should only be given under the guidance of a veterinarian.

In addition to keeping litter box odour away, daily litter box cleaning is a good way of keeping tabs on your cat’s urinating and defecating habits, so that you can quickly recognize changes.

If you have any questions or concerns about your cats bowel movements talk to one of our team members at Coventry Animal Hospital.

Understanding how puppies develop can help you start your puppy off right. There is a critical socialization period during which time your pup will need to have exposure to people, dogs and surroundings if they are to accept them and be well-adjusted confident adults.

Neonatal Period: 0 to 2 weeks – Puppies are born deaf and blind.  During this period, a puppy uses touch and taste to find warmth and food from its mother.

Transition Period: 2 to 4 weeks – Puppies hearing and vision develop during this period.  This means that they are exposed to the sounds where they are raised.  They learn to walk too.

Socialization Period: 3 to 12 weeks (in some cases until 18 weeks) – During this period, it is vital that a puppy has opportunities to meet other dogs and people.

Traditionally, puppies are weaned from their mother at 8 weeks of age. While with their littermates and mother, a puppy is learning important skills through play and exploration.  A puppy will learn about the consequences of its interactions.  For example, a puppy will learn that biting its littermate too hard will result in its wrestling buddy walking away and playtime is over.  Ideally, you want to adopt a puppy that has been raised inside a home with handling by various people, including men.  If possible, you want a puppy that has lived with and had positive experiences with adult dogs too.  Well-socialized dogs are more likely to have well-socialized offspring, as their pups observe how their mother interacts with people.

There is a saying that your puppy should meet 100 new people in 100 days. This means people of different ethnicities, genders, young and old, friends, family and strangers, people wearing hats, with facial hair, no hair, babies in strollers, teenagers on skateboards – you get the idea.  If your puppy has positive interactions with a variety of humans during the critical socialization period before it develops fear, it will learn that interactions with humans are generally positive.  A positive interaction is one where the puppy enjoys its experience – this can be enhanced by having rewards (such as tasty treats), play and petting being offered.  However, it is important to clarify that having a small number of positive interactions is far more valuable than having a vast number of exposures, especially if too many of them are negative exposures.

How can I socialize my puppy before it is vaccinated? Plan puppy play dates and invite a friend’s well-socialized (vaccinated) adult dog to meet your puppy at home.  Host a puppy party where family members come and offer your puppy treats.  You can walk your puppy in town and expose it to pedestrians and traffic noises from a comfortable distance.  All of these activities need to be kept short and done at a pace that your pup feels comfortable with.  Supervise your puppy when it is interacting with people, other animals and places.  If your pup will be expected to ride quietly in the car – now is the time to expose it to short drives.  Start exposing your puppy to a grooming routine, which includes exposure to brushing, examining ears and handling paws.  If its ears are back and it looks apprehensive and will not take a treat, it is a cue to give it more distance from its current interaction.  Your puppy will gain a lot from its experiences even if it doesn’t have direct exposure.  Remember that puppies are toddlers and although nurture plays a big role, nature does as well.  Some puppies will naturally be shyer and others will be more outgoing.  As its pet parent, your role is to watch your pup’s body language and work within its comfort zone to bring out the best in him.

Socialization is an ongoing process that doesn’t end when your puppy gets older. It is just as important to continue re-exposing him to people, animals and places so that he remembers the positive associations.  Last but not least – have fun.  Puppy training and puppy socialization will have its ups and downs, but if you’re not enjoying the journey, then you’re not doing it right!

If you have any questions about socializing your puppy ask one of our team members at Coventry Animal Hospital.

Halloween is approaching! While it is a fun time for adults and children alike, Halloween can be very stressful for our furry friends. Here are some simple tips for keeping your pet safe and happy during this Halloween season.

• Keep your pet visible. If you plan on taking your dog trick-or-treating with you, make sure it is easily visible to cars and people when it is dark outside. You can do this by having your dog wear a reflective collar or vest.
• Keep chocolate and candy out of reach. Chocolate can be very toxic to dogs if eaten. Be sure that none of your treats are left in reach of your pet. Even candy can cause a severe upset stomach if enough is eaten by your pet.

• Use comfortable costumes for your pet. If you plan on dressing up your dog or cat, make sure it is comfortable in its costume. If it is really stressed out about wearing a costume, don’t force it to, as it may end up hurting itself trying to escape. Never leave your pet in a costume unsupervised and avoid costumes with loose and dangling parts that your pet may tear off and swallow.
• Have a safe place available. Constant doorbell ringing and visitors (especially visitors in costume) can be very scary and stressful for some pets. It is best to keep your pet in a crate or a quiet room away from where all the excitement is happening. Consider a Thundershirt® or speak with your veterinarian about medications if your pet is extremely stressed by these issues and might hurt itself. Your dog should be kept away from the door at all times to make sure it doesn’t run out or harm any of the trick-or-treaters.
• Keep your cat indoors. Your cat may not be used to the extra people and cars outside and this can present a danger if it gets scared of something. It may also be too fearful to come home if people are constantly coming up to the house. Furthermore, black cats are often subjected to cruel treatments around Halloween, so it is in their best interest to keep them inside.

We at Coventry Animal Hospital hope that you and your furry friends have a fun and safe Halloween!

How do you know when it’s time?

This is a very sensitive topic and a difficult one to address. We all hope that our pet will grow to an extremely old age and pass away in its sleep, but that is not something that is in our control.  What is in our control is making sure that our pet is comfortable and has a good quality of life while it is under our care.

You want to look at the big picture – is your pet having more good day or bad? Is your pet having more good parts to the day than bad?  Compare your pet today to your pet at their best.

Here are some questions to ask when measuring your pets quality of life:

1. Is he mobile? Can your dog get outside to urinate and defecate and go for walks? Can your cat posture in the litter box? Do you need to carry your pet?
2. Does she have an appetite? Do you have to coax it with lots of different temptations? Are they eating enough calories to maintain a healthy body weight?
3. Is he happy to see you? Is he interactive or do they prefer to hide? Is he grumpy or disoriented?
4. Is she vomiting? Do they have diarrhea or difficulty eating?
5. Is he sore? This is a challenging one to answer correctly because cats and dogs hide their pain, a survival technique that their ancestors use in the wild. Here are some signs to look for:
   1. Limping, stiffness, reluctance to be handled
   2. Bad odour – from the breath or skin or genital region
   3. Lack of grooming (dull, oily or flaky coat)
   4. Vocalizing – crying, whimpering or hissing or panting
   5. Unexplained weight loss
   6. Open wounds or trauma

The questions above are meant to provide a checklist that can help you assess your pet’s current quality of life. The next question then becomes – what are the options available to control my pet’s pain and what can be done to improve its quality of life? After consulting with a veterinarian, pain management can be instituted if appropriate.  Sometimes humane euthanasia is an appropriate option.

Many people experience a sense of grief when their companion animal’s health has declined and they are faced with the overwhelming task of considering medically-assisted death for their pet. The Coventry Animal Hospital team can help you assess your pet’s comfort and offer recommendations, as well as support during this difficult time.  We are pet owners ourselves and want to listen to your concerns regarding your pet’s welfare.

It’s summer! You may be thinking that a hot spot is a sunny locale or a place with a strong wireless signal for your cell phone, but did you know that it is also a sore spot on your dog’s skin? These can be a common problem in the hot, humid weather, so Coventry Animal Hospital wants to make sure you know what to do if your dog has a hot spot!

What is a hot spot?

Canine hot spots are red, inflamed skin lesions also known as pyotraumatic dermatitis or acute moist dermatitis. These inflammatory skin lesions are exacerbated by scratching, can appear quickly and may contain pus. Hot spots can be found anywhere on a dog’s body, but the most common sites are head, legs, and hips. These painful, smelly sores may be very obvious or may be hidden beneath matted fur.

What causes a hot spot?

Hot spots are usually caused by self-trauma when a dog scratches an itchy spot so vigorously that he creates an open wound. Dogs scratch for many reasons, but here are some of the more common underlying causes of hot spots:

1. Allergies, including food allergies or inhalant allergies that cause itching.
2. Reactions to insect bites from fleas, mites or other small insects (bees, wasps, lice, gnats, etc)
3. Ear infections. Bacteria or yeast in the ear canal can be so irritating that the dog scratches at his ear creating hot spots on the ear flap, behind the ear, or on the neck.
4. Pyoderma. Primary skin infections also caused by bacteria or yeast may incite the dog to scratch an area so much that a secondary hot spot forms.
5. Poor grooming. Dogs with unkempt hair coats bite at tangles, creating open wounds. Matted fur prevents air from reaching the skin and retains water after a dog swims or gets caught in the rain so the skin stays wet. This sets up a perfect environment for a hot spot.
6. Orthopedic problems. Dogs with arthritis or back problems tend to lie down much of the time. Lying on one side creates abrasions over pressure points, like hips or hocks, where bony protrusions have little muscular padding, especially in elderly dogs with diminishing muscle mass. When the dog licks the abrasion, a hot spot erupts. Dogs also lick or chew at degenerating joints much like people rub a sore knee to relieve the pain, creating hot spots in the process.
7. Anal gland inflammation. Infected or impacted anal glands are painful and annoying. Dogs lick the area around the rectum and can cause hot spots under or on top of the tail.

How are hot spots treated?

The goal in treating a hot spot is to stop the trauma and prevent the development of a deep skin infection, so the first step in treating hot spots is to stop the self mutilation.  Some options include:

• An Elizabethan collar (also known as a “cone”) that stops the dog from chewing at the hot spot.
• Medication to reduce the itching which may or may not include steroids, antihistamines, and/or antibiotics.

Often, it takes a combination of all options to stop the trauma.

The underlying cause of the hot spot must also be addressed:

• If the hot spot formed as a result of impacted anal glands, they will need to be expressed.
• If the cause is flea allergy, a flea control protocol must begin and the flea problem in the household must be addressed also. The veterinarians at Coventry Animal Hospital have multiple parasite prevention options and can discuss the best one for your individual situation.
• If arthritis is the culprit, our veterinarian may prescribe pain medications.
• For inhalant or food allergies, we can help you to begin avoidance or de-sensitization therapy and recommend a hypoallergenic food.
• For ear infections, the underlying yeast or bacteria will be treated.
• If poor grooming is the cause, Coventry Animal Hospital has a groomer on staff that can help.
• Clipping the hair away from the hot spot and the surrounding area is crucial to a successful treatment plan. The hot spot will heal much quicker if the hair is removed so that the lesion can dry properly. Grooming may be painful so the dog may need to be sedated.

How can hot spots be prevented? 

Coventry Animal Hospital recommends continued monitoring and treatment of the underlying cause to prevent future hot spots. Call us if you think your dog may have a hot spot. We’re here to help you and your dog make the most of this summer!

The nice weather is here and it’s a great time to take your dog to the dog park! Dogs (like people) need mental and physical exercise, and the dog park is a great place to get this. Dogs crave playful interaction with their peers. Going to the dog park will allow them to see, hear and smell new things as they exercise with other dogs. Active dogs (like active people) are healthier. Coventry Animal Hospital wants to make sure you and your pup have a good time and stay safe at the dog park. So let’s take a trip to the park!

Here are a few simple tips for you and your dog to maximize the fun and to stay safe:

1. Before going to the park, make sure your dog’s vaccines are up to date. The dog park is an easy place for your dog to contract disease from another dog. No one can be sure if other dogs are vaccinated or sick when coming to the park, so it is best to make sure your dog is protected. Coventry Animal Hospital recommends vaccination with the kennel cough vaccine in addition to the core vaccines if you plan to visit the dog park on a regular basis.
2. Avoid rush hour. Many dogs may fare better when the park isn’t crowded. Take your time to acquaint yourselves with the surroundings during a less busy time. It’s easier for both of you to focus without the distraction of lots of dogs and owners.
3. Obey the rules. Your dog may be smart, but he or she can’t read. It’s your responsibility to read and obey all posted rules. Especially obey the “clean up after your dog” rule. This helps decrease the risk of parasite transmission.
4. Watch your children or leave them at home. It’s great to have your children play with your dog, but sometimes it can be a safety concern with the interference of other dogs, especially if your dog is very protective. And even though your child and dog may get along wonderfully, not all dogs are well-socialized with kids. Just because a dog loves children it doesn’t mean that he won’t barrel right over a toddler while in the throes of a game of chase.
5. Limit toys and treats but not water. Don’t pack the entire toy box or pantry for a park excursion. It’s OK to give your dog a treat, but brandishing lots of toys and treats may create conflict with other park patrons. Bring bottled water and a collapsible water bowl if your dog park does not have a dog-friendly water fountain.
6. Wait before taking your puppy to the park. Pups under 4 months of age aren’t fully immunized and exposure to other dogs puts them at risk of infection. Small pups are more vulnerable to injury, even by well-intentioned larger dogs. And young pups aren’t adequately socialized and may not do well when bombarded by multiple new faces, human or canine. Socialize your pup gradually, vaccinate and de-worm him regularly, and let him grow a bit before venturing out to the park.
7. Control your dog. Bring a leash along to restrain your dog as needed. Make sure your dog knows basic verbal commands. He may get so excited to be around his friends that he temporarily forgets his manners.
8. Be aware of your dog’s physical condition. Don’t bring your dog to the park if he is sick. This isn’t good for your dog or his playmates.  No one wants to share sniffles, coughs or diarrhea. Also, it’s best to leave female dogs at home when they are in heat.
9. Supervise your dog (and everyone else’s). Spending time with your dog in the company of others is a joy. Avoid reading a magazine or playing games on your smart phone. You may get so distracted that you miss something really fun or really dangerous.
10.  Protect your dog from getting parasites. With many dogs frequenting the park, it becomes a great place to pick up parasites like fleas or worms that other dogs may be carrying. Placing your dog on a regular parasite protection program helps minimize the risk of contracting these parasites. Some parasites may even be harmful to humans. Contact Coventry Animal Hospital to put your dog on a parasite protection program to protect your dog and your family.

Going to the dog park can be an exciting outing for your dog and time for the two of you to bond. By following some simple, common sense rules you can ensure you, your dog and everyone else at the dog park has great fun in a safe and courteous way.

Nowadays with excellent nutrition and advances in preventative medicine, our cats and dogs are living longer than previous generations were. It is possible for cats to live into their twenties.

The adage that one human year is equivalent to 7 “dog” or “cat years” is only partially true. During the first 6 months of life, there are dramatic changes in a puppy and kitten.  They experience huge growth spurts and transform from cute cuddly little fluff balls into lanky teenagers.  Their eyes and ears open at approximately 10-14 days.  Puppies and kittens start to eat solid (softened) food at 4 weeks and they stop nursing from their mother around 6 weeks (although time for weaning varies a lot with the circumstances!).  A lab puppy will double in weight between 8 and 12 weeks of age.  Our pet goes through the baby, toddler and teen stages in literally weeks.  Get your camera out because you will forget they were ever that small!

Dogs and cats become sexually mature at approximately 6 months of age, at which time they can reproduce and are roughly 60% of their adult size. They will continue to grow and the bones in their limbs lengthen until their growth plates close at around 12 months of age.  Cats and small and medium-breed dogs are adults and done growing at approximately one year of age.  Large breed dogs and giant-breed dogs (such as Bernese Mountain dogs) continue to grow until 1.5-2 years of age, as their growth plates close later.  Knowing there are such dramatic differences in growth between breeds and life stages, it is not surprising that individual animals have very different nutrition needs.

Up until 8 years of age, cats and dogs are in their prime or considered “mature”, then become classified as seniors. At 12 years of age and up, cats and dogs are considered geriatric.  As a general rule, smaller-breed dogs are longer lived than their larger-breed counterparts.  Below is a list of average life expectancies for several dog breeds, which highlights their wide range of ages.  Mixed-breed cats and dogs often are longer-lived than their purebred counterparts because they have a broader gene pool with less risk of inherited disease.  The average lifespan for a spayed or neutered housecat is 15 years; this can also vary by breed.

Reference: Dog Longevity, Dr. Kelly M. Cassidy

The lifespan of the average cat and dog can be extended through proper breeding, routine health exams, spaying/neutering, preventative medicine and good nutrition. Many animals will have lifespans that are shorter or longer than the “average”.  However, information about an animal’s expected lifespan can be used to help plan how to best care for a pet during the time that it is with us.

Ask one of our team members at Coventry Animal Hospital about the routine preventative care for your pet.