SENIOR PETS

Older pets tend to have a tougher time when the weather changes. If you’ve noticed your senior pet struggling to go up and down stairs, or having trouble rising up after a nap, they may be having an arthritic flare-up. We can prescribe them anti-inflammatory medications to help them feel younger again during the colder weather.

Cats & Car Engines

If the weather starts to get chilly, make sure your pet has some place warm to stay. Look before you start your car, tap on the hood, or better yet, open it. Cats love warm places and they will often climb onto car engine compartments to get warm. Lacerations, burns and other injuries can occur for a cat when an engine starts. Always know where your pets are, especially when the weather turns colder.

Hero Saves Poisoned Dog

Online Store

Have you visited our website, www.cherokeeac.com, lately?  If so, you may have noticed a link at the bottom of the home page called Vetsource.  This is a link to our online store, which has been set up for our client’s convenience.

One program that this store offers is to automatically send monthly medications, such as heartworm and flea medications, to your home without any effort on your part aside from the initial setup.  This could be a great option for those clients who need that little “extra” help remembering these medications.

               

Also, clients with pets on long-term medications, such as thyroid or seizure medications, might find a small savings by ordering through VetSource.  This is due to their lack of the overhead costs that Cherokee, the physical clinic, has to maintain. Be sure to check your pet’s medications and compare costs; it may be worth your effort.

                

If you have any questions regarding VetSource or how to order from it, please call our office at 913-649-0440 and ask to speak to Kerry.  She will be happy to assist you.

Pet of the Month

Cherokee Animal Clinic would like to honor Isabella as our Pet of the Month! Isabella is a three year old Doberman mix, owned by Katie Stroh, an RVT at Cherokee Animal Clinic. Her favorite activities include playing in the dog park, engaging other dogs in the fun game of chase, and patrolling the backyard for squirrels.

Laser Therapy Treatments

Cherokee Animal Clinic is proud to announce the addition of a Therapy Laser Unit for treatment of several pet ailments.  This Therapy Laser system provides a non-invasive modality that initiates numerous physiological and biological processes.  In other words, it stimulates the pet to heal itself.

Therapy Laser, also referred to as “cold therapy laser”, originated in Europe and Russia, where it has been used on human patients for years.  Physicians and chiropractors have used it successfully on professional and Olympic athletes for pain relief as well as to improve healing processes. 

Therapy Laser uses light beams, called photo-stimulation, to actually promote and enhance healing, as opposed to just treating the symptoms.  It has been successfully used on several animal conditions, both here at Cherokee Animal Clinic, and at other clinics throughout the world.  Our goal, when recommending Therapy Laser treatments, is to reduce or eliminate the use of pharmaceuticals to treat the condition, as well as make your pet as comfortable as possible throughout the healing process.

Conditions that can benefit from Therapy Laser Treatments include, but are not limited to:

1.      Musculoskeletal pain

a.      Cruciate ligament injury and post-surgical treatment

b.      Patella injury and post-surgical treatment

c.       Post-surgical fracture repair

d.      Hip dysplasia

e.      Elbow dysplasia

f.        Disc disease

g.      Arthritis

h.      Back and/or neck pain

2.      Skin disorders  

                                                                  

a.      Lick granuloma

b.      Allergic dermatitis

c.       Burns

d.      Frostbite

e.      Cat bite abscess

f.        Hot spots

3.      Wound healing, including surgical incisions

4.      Sprains

5.      Otitis in most forms

6.      Ear Hematoma

7.      Post-declaw treatment

                                                                                        
8.      Periodontal disease

9.      Pain management in general

The Therapy Laser treatment sessions are painless themselves.  During the sessions, which typically take 15-20 minutes in the office, the pet will become relaxed and may even lie down and fall asleep.  The treatments (initially in a set of 6) are performed by our trained Registered Veterinary Technicians either in the exam room or in the hospital area, whichever is available at the scheduled time.  You, the owner, can choose to stay with your pet during the process or wait in the waiting room.  Special eye protection is mandatory for all people in the immediate area of the treatment, as well as for the pet itself.

If you have any questions about Therapy Laser treatments and how they might benefit your pet’s condition, please call our office at 913-649-0440 and speak to your pet’s veterinarian. 

Tip for Dogs with Dry Skin

Here’s a tip for dogs with dry skin...bathe them less often, and make sure to brush their coat in an effort to rid the skin of dander. When you do bathe your pet, make sure to use a shampoo and rinse made for their special needs. Do not use a shampoo or conditioner made for people. If you would like some help picking out a dog safe shampoo and conditioner, please bring it to our attention at your next visit.

New Year's Resolution

Does your New Year’s Resolution involve getting your pets behavior in check? We can provide advice regarding the correction of problems such as excessive barking, chewing, spraying, scratching, digging, house soiling and aggression. Make 2011 a great year for you and your pet!

Click below to view a pet behavior video from The Rachael Ray Show.

Heartworm Reminder

Did you know that heartworm is a disease you can prevent your pet from having?  Heartworms are a constant threat to your animal, which is why our hospital recommends heartworm screening and prevention for your pet.  The most common signs of heartworm disease in cats are coughing, vomiting, breathing difficulties, weight loss and lethargy and are often mistaken for other conditions such as asthma, pneumonia and digestive problems. In fact, the most common clinical signs of heartworm disease in cats actually resemble bronchial asthma. The only way to know for sure is to have us examine and test your pet. This pre-emptive approach can spare your pet the pain of this often fatal disease.

Anti-freeze Dangers for Pets

When the weather starts to cool off, be mindful of dangerous chemicals normally used during the colder seasons, especially anti-freeze. Pets actually love the taste of anti-freeze and will sneak a taste any chance they get. Wipe spills or puddles and keep this poisonous liquid away from pets.  Even a teaspoon of anti-freeze can seriously harm your pet. Signs of anti-freeze poisoning include drowsiness, lethargy and depression. Keep pets safe as the weather gets colder this season.

Employee of the Month

Cherokee Animal Clinic is proud to honor Katie Stroth as our Employee of the Month. Katie is a Registered Veterinary Technician with Cherokee Animal Clinic. She enjoys coaching her niece's fastpitch softball team and dabbling in the kitchen with new recipes. We appreciate all of her contributions to the practice.