Hurricane Preparedness – What about my pet? In the space of 4 hours on the Thursday morning preceding Hurricane Charley’s landfall we heard this question over and over again. As much of Tampa Bay faced a mandatory evacuation a big problem became evident almost instantly. Despite much publicized information telling people that public shelters would not take in their pets and so to make plans ahead of time, many people suddenly found themselves out of options. It is much easier to find shelter for people during an emergency than for animals. Within a few hours all of the animal shelters, Hospitals, and Boarding Facilities in the area were full. Pet friendly hotels booked up, and retail stores sold out of pet carriers and cages. The lesson – PLAN AHEAD!  A good Hurricane Plan should include preparations for your pets care. Make sure you have a comfortable cage/crate for every animal in your house. Not a carrier, but something large enough to accommodate them for a few days. In an emergency buildings can become compromised and animals can escape. Even if you ride the storm through at home it is important to have secure cages for your pets for this reason. A hurricane destroys scent trails, as well as property, and an escaped animal would quickly become disoriented. For more information, including a Complete Hurricane Plan for your family, click on “Hurricane Plan”.   QUICK-TIP! If your pet requires daily medication make sure you never cut it close when refilling prescriptions. If an emergency occurs you might not be able to refill their medications. Always keep enough on hand to get through at least one week should something happen.

Heartworm Prevention is a year round deal in Florida! Don’t think your dog needs year round protection? Here are the facts:   o        Mosquitoes carrying the larvae of the parasite Dirofilaria immitis spread heartworm. o        Once in the body these larvae migrate through the blood stream to the heart and lungs where they can grow up to a foot long! o        Left untreated these worms may clog major blood vessels, leading to organ failure and death. o        Florida is one of the top five states for positive cases of heartworm (over 29,000 in 2001). o        There were approximately 3000 new cases of heartworm disease in the Tampa Bay area in 2001. o        Up to 45% of unprotected dogs in heartworm-endemic areas are infected.   A simple test and monthly prevention, is all you need to protect your dog against heartworm.   WEIGHT MANAGEMENT More than 33 million dogs and cats in the United States are overweight or obese. Left untreated, obesity can lead to many health problems, like heart disease and diabetes. It can also be a symptom of other underlying problems. Obesity in pets should not be ignored! These pets will benefit greatly from losing excess weight. As an overweight pet ages they experience more health problems, and consequently may not live as long as they could. Ask Dr. Carvajal for some simple things you can do to improve your pets weight and health.

Microchips and Our Pets Safety “Every two seconds a family pet is lost somewhere in America.” Unfortunately for many pets owners this is the first time they really consider what they may have been able to do to insure their loved ones safe return. Fortunately there is a safe, permanent, affordable technology that makes your pet identifiable if ever lost. A tiny AVID MICROCHIP that contains a personal, one-of-a-kind identification number is injected by your veterinarian, (just like a vaccine) under the skin of your pet where it remains safely for life. This number can be read by a scanner and then traced back to you. To date there have been over 17,000 scanners distributed nationwide in shelters and veterinary hospitals, and this national system is responsible for the rescue and return of thousands of pets, and is highly recommended for every pet in your household. Digging Dogs dig for a number of reasons: to cool off, chase rodents, bury and retrieve bones, escape confinement, or just for the fun of it. Digging commonly occurs when pets are left alone with insufficient stimulation. Provide your dog with stimulating chew toys, increased play and exercise, and perhaps even a second pet. Of course, give some thought to the addition of a second pet, since you could end up with two diggers instead of one. Try these methods to discourage digging:   Remote punishment (turning on a sprinkler, pulling on an extended leash, tossing a tin can containing a few pebbles near the pet) Changing or covering the surface (by placing rocks over the area or covering with concrete).   For some dogs the most practical solution is to provide a digging area and to reinforce appropriate digging. Source: AAHA

Your Cats Eating Habits Cats love their meat. In fact, these furry carnivores must eat animal tissue to maintain their long-term health. Cats require high amounts of amino acids, "building blocks" that prevent disease. Vegetarian diets, therefore, are out of the question for cats. Kittens (cats less than a year old) need food specially designed for their young systems- with an increased level of the necessary proteins for growing muscles and bones. Be sure to get a food that is appropriate for the age of your cat. For example, senior cats should never eat kitten food as it has too much protein and can cause them health problems. Many cats enjoy raiding a dog's food bowl. But cats are not small dogs and do not receive proper nutrition from dog food products. That means meal swapping is not allowed: Cats should eat only cat food. When choosing a food, cat owners should look for one that contains proteins, fats, minerals, and vitamins. Extra vitamin and mineral supplements are not only unnecessary but potentially harmful. Supplements can unbalance a complete and balanced cat food, and should only be used with a veterinarian’s permission. Cats are efficient eaters. They eat to satisfy their need for energy then stop eating when that energy demand is met. So cats tend to eat small but frequent meals. Owners can usually leave food out and not worry about a cat overeating. But while most cats naturally regulate their eating habits, some do indulge. Since obesity is the most common feline nutritional problem, if your cat needs to lose five or more pounds, visit the veterinarian before you begin a weight loss program. Many cats eat in cycles, a trait passed down from their wild ancestors that ate depending on the success of the hunt. Do not mistake these peaks and valleys for dissatisfaction with the food. Switching brands frequently can reinforce bad habits and create finicky eaters. (727) 535-5433    Source: AAHA