Even Great Danes are tiny when they’re babies!

Are You Allergic To Your Pet?

Breathe easy! You can still keep your animal companion! 

Although more and more people are discovering the beneficial effects of owning a furry bundle of joy, the fact remains that roughly 15 to 20 percent of the population is allergic to animals. The result? Countless owners in unhappy, unhealthy situations—and their beloved pets are the cause! Allergen is the medical term for the actual substance that causes an allergic reaction. Touching or inhaling allergens leads to reactions in allergic individuals. Symptoms can include red, itchy, watery eyes and nose; sneezing; coughing; scratchy or sore throat; itchy skin, and most serious of all, difficulty breathing.

The most common pet allergens are proteins found in their dander (scales of old skin that are constantly shed by an animal), saliva, urine and sebaceous cells. Any animal can trigger an allergic response, but cats are the most common culprits. People can also become allergic to the urine, dander and saliva of exotic pets such as ferrets, guinea pigs, birds, rabbits and rodents. There is no species or breed to which humans cannot develop allergies. Fur length and type will not affect or prevent allergies. Certain pets can be less irritating than others to those who suffer from allergies, but that is strictly on an individual basis and cannot be predicted.

Once the diagnosis of a pet allergy is made, a physician will often recommend eliminating the companion animal from the surroundings. Heartbreaking? Yes. Absolutely necessary? Not always. Keep in mind that most people are allergic to several things besides pets, such as dust mites, molds and pollens, all of which can be found in the home. Allergic symptoms result from the total cumulative allergen load. That means that if you eliminate some of the other allergens, you may not have to get rid of your pet. (Conversely, should you decide to remove your pet from your home, this may not immediately solve your problems.) You must also be prepared to invest the time and effort needed to decontaminate your home environment, limit future exposure to allergens and find a physician who will work with you. Our three-part program follows:

Improving the Immediate Environment

1. Create an allergen-free room. A bedroom is often the best and most practical choice. By preventing your pet from entering this room, you can ensure at least eight hours of freedom from allergens every night. It's a good idea to use hypoallergenic bedding and pillow materials.
2. Limit fabrics. Allergens collect in rugs, drapes and upholstery, so do your best to limit or eliminate them from your home. If you choose to keep some fabrics, steam-clean them regularly. Cotton-covered furniture is the smartest choice, and washable blinds or shades make good window treatments.
3. Vacuum frequently using a vacuum equipped with a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate arresting) filter or a disposable electrostatic bag. Other kinds of bags will permit allergens to blow back out of the vacuum.
4. Install an air purifier fitted with a HEPA filter. Our modern, energy-efficient homes lock in air that is loaded with allergens, so it’s smart to let in some fresh air daily.
5. Use anti-allergen room sprays. These sprays deactivate allergens, rendering them harmless. Ask your allergist for a product recommendation.
6. Clean the litter box frequently. Use lowdust, perfume-free filler. Clumping litter is a good choice.
7. Dust regularly. Wiping down the walls will also cut down on allergens.
8. Invest in washable pet bedding and cages that can be cleaned often and easily.

Decontaminating Your Pet

1. Bathe your pet at least once a week. Your veterinarian can recommend a shampoo that won't dry out his skin. Bathing works to wash off the allergens that accumulate in an animal’s fur.
2. Wipe your pet with a product formulated to prevent dander from building up and flaking off into the environment. Ask your veterinarian to suggest one that is safe to use on animals who groom themselves.
3. Note any symptoms of dermatitis exhibited by your companion animal. Dermatitis often leads to accelerated skin and fur shedding, which will up your allergen exposure.
4. Brush or comb your pet frequently. It’s best to do this outdoors, if possible. (The ASPCA does not recommend keeping cats outdoors, so make sure your feline is leashed if you take him outside.)

Taking Care of Yourself

1. If possible, have someone other than yourself do the housecleaning, litter box work and pet washing, wiping and brushing. If you must clean the house or change the litter, be sure to wear a dust mask.
2. Wash your hands after handling your companion animal and before touching your face. The areas around your nose and eyes are particularly sensitive to allergens.
3. Designate a “pet outfit” from among your most easily washed clothes. Wear it when playing or cuddling with your companion, and you’ll leave other clothing uncontaminated.
4. Find a physician, preferably an allergy specialist, who will make sure that your pet is the cause of your allergies and will help alleviate your symptoms. Medications and immunotherapy (desensitizing shots) can often allow you and your companion animal to remain together happily ever after.

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/pet-care-tips/allergic.aspx

Today is Take Your Cat to the Vet Day

How long has it been since your cat visited us at Brookfield Animal Hospital? Today is National “Take Your Cat to the Vet” Day! If your cat is due for a visit, it’s time to get them checked. Remember, there’s supposed to be 6-12 months between each visit, depending on your pet’s age! Regular visits can help your cat live longer, because we can identify and treat problems sooner.

June is Social PETworking Month

June is Social PETworking Month! This is a month designated to help pair families with homeless pets. The campaign allows Facebook, MySpace and Twitter addicts to put their hours online to good use by advertising adoptable pets to their networks to help get them seen and into loving homes. So if you know of any pets in need of good homes, take to Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, and get the word out this June!

Thanksgiving Pet Safety Tips

$10 Off Exams

Brookfield Animal Hospital is proud to offer $10 off an examination for your pet. Call us at 203-775-3679 to schedule your pet's exam today!

 

Staff Spotlight

We are proud to announce this months’ staff spotlight is MaryKate! She writes “Some things I enjoy about my job are assisting the doctors in surgery, learning new things, spending time with the animals that are boarding, taking care of animals after they have surgical procedures, and interacting with the clients. I love making people laugh and spending time with my family and my two cats, Guido and Sonny.”

 

Cookouts and family reunions are great activities this time of year.  However, the food we often enjoy at these events can make pets sick and even cause Pancreatitis, which is a very serious disease.  We want to remind you to bring plenty of food and treats for your pets so they can join in the fun without risking a stomachache or other illness later. 

BOARDING

Going on vacation this summer and can’t take the whole family with you? Separate vacations may be in order...if so, trust Brookfield Animal Hospital for all your pet's boarding needs. Our caring and compassionate staff is here to help insure your worry free travels...while your pet relaxes and enjoys their vacation. Don’t forget to make reservations early as space tends to fill quickly!

Click here for more information about our boarding facility! 

Thunderstorms

We would like to share this tip about how to handle your pets during a storm. Fear of thunder and other loud noises may drive pets to seek shelter. Their attempts to seek immediate shelter may damage property and cause injury to themselves. Pets that react to loud noises can be trained not to panic through a process called progressive desensitization. We can review this process and recommend solutions that may help your pet weather through the storm!  

Proper Way to Remove a Tick

Scalibor Protector Band for Dogs

Brookfield Animal Hospital is proud to offer the Scalibor Protector Band for Dogs. This is a highly effective collar that kills ticks, including deer ticks, which may carry Lyme Disease, for up to 6 months. Odorless, Non-staining and water resistant...this collar is exactly what your dog needs to stay protected this season! 

Smarter Than We Realize???

Most dogs know the works "sit" and "stay", but a new study published in the journal Behavioral Processes suggests they could learn a lot more. A Border Collie named Chaser has been trained to understand the names of 1,022 objects.

John W. Pilley, a retired psychology professor at Wofford College, became intrigued by an earlier study that demonstrated a dog named Rico knew more than 200 words, so he purchased a Border Collie puppy and began his own experiment into how dogs comprehend language.

Over the course of three years, Chaser was trained to recognize the names of 1,022 different objects. The objects were toys acquired from second-hand shops that he named everything from "squirrel" to "Uncle Fuzz." Professor Pilley believes she could still learn more.

Chaser also demonstrated she could distinguish nouns from behaviors. She was taught the commands "take", "nose" and "paw" (which meant to touch the object with her nose or paw), and asked to perform these behaviors in different combination on a few of her toys. She could do it every time!

Next, Chaser was trained to recognize categories. Could she understand that a "football" and a "tennis ball", were both a ball, which is different than a "Frisbee," but they were all "toys"? She could! This is something human children learn around the age of three.

Finally, Prof. Pilley wondered if Chaser could learn a new name by exclusion. He put a new toy amongst toys she knew well, and asked her to fetch it using a new name. This was a little harder for Chaser, but she could do it!

These fascinating studies could help scientists understand how children learn language, and help us all be aware that our dogs may be smarter than we realize.

When temperatures soar, remember to watch your pet closely for signs of heatstroke or dehydration. Because dogs and cats don’t perspire heavily, their body temperatures rise much quicker than people’s body temperatures. We recommend scheduling exercise in the cooler mornings and evenings…and stopping for rest if your pet is lagging behind, even slightly. Plenty of shade and fresh water is a must, and keep your pet inside for those particularly hot afternoons. Just a tip so you and your pet can enjoy this great season together! 

May Staff Spotlight

This months’ staff spotlight is Christine, a veterinary assistant at Brookfield Animal Hospital. She writes “I enjoy getting to know the animals individually, and seeing their personalities grow as they grow up and become attached to their families. In my free time I am artistic, and also enjoy outdoor sports such as kayaking, hiking, and fire spinning.” We are proud to have her as a part of the team.

 

Spring is here! It's time to go outdoors with your pet and check out all flowers and plants.  Make sure to keep an eye on your pet in case a bee decides he doesn't want your pet to get up close and personal.  There are all sorts of flying critters out in the garden, so make sure your pet is protected from allergic reactions to insect bites or stings. Protect your pet so you both can enjoy the spring season together! 

Toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by a parasite called Toxoplasma gondii (or T. gondii). It is a zoonotic parasite, meaning it can be passed from animals to humans, and has been found worldwide. During the reproductive stages, this parasite only exists in cats (both wild and domestic); however, other stages of development are found in all mammals and birds.

T. gondii is transmitted by consumption of oocysts (the reproductive form of the parasite) from cat feces in the environment, consumption of infected meat, and from transfer of the parasite from a mother to her fetus. Healthy adult dogs and cats often show no signs of infection, but puppies and kittens may suffer from heart, liver, vision or neurological problems. Signs of infection may include diarrhea, cough, seizures and death, but are usually not sufficient alone for a diagnosis. Laboratory tests must be done to confirm the infection. Immune-compromised animals, such as cats with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), are more susceptible to developing severe infections.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, "Toxoplasmosis is considered to be a leading case of death attributed to foodborne illness in the United States."

The majority of people who become infected only suffer from mild symptoms or no symptoms at all. For newly pregnant women and individuals with a compromised immune system, toxoplasmosis can have severe consequences. Women who are infected just before becoming pregnant or during their pregnancy are at risk for miscarriage or delivering babies with birth defects.

You can reduce your risk of infection and that of your pets as well by keeping these simple tips in mind:

• Clean litter boxes daily.  Toxoplasmosis takes more than one day to become infectious. 
• If you are pregnant or immune-compromised, ask someone else to clean the litterbox. If this isn't possible, wear gloves, and wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after cleaning. 
• Keep outdoor sandboxes covered when not in use. 
• Wash your hands thoroughly after contact with soil, sand, unwashed fruits and vegetables, and raw meat. 
• Do not eat undercooked meat (especially lamb, pork or venison), and wash all utensils and cutting boards that come in contact with raw meat. 
• Do not feed raw meat to your cats. 
• Keep your cats indoors to prevent them from hunting. 

Happy Mother's Day!

We would like to wish a Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there. You are appreciated and we are sure if your pets could, they would say the same thing! Have a great Mother's Day everyone!

$10 Off Wisdom Panel!

Brookfield Animal Hospital is offering $10 off our Wisdom Panel. Wisdom Panel can determine the ancestry of a mixed-breed dog by testing for more than 185 breeds. Once an owner understands a dog’s natural tendencies, it makes it possible to create a tailored training, exercise and nutrition program to fit his one-of-a-kind needs. Act on this incredible discount today!


Click here for more information about Wisdom Panel~! 

This week is Be Kind to Animals Week!

Join the event that’s been celebrated every year since 1915 -- American Humane Association’s Be Kind to Animals Week. In this annual tradition, we commemorate the role animals play in our lives, promote ways to continue to treat them humanely, and encourage others, especially children, to do the same. While Be Kind to Animals Week is celebrated only once a year, we should strive to always be kind to animals every day. What is the kindest thing you've done for your pet today?