Does your pet shake during storms? Is your pet anxious?

There may be a solution…Thundershirts™ are a great option for:

Fear of storms/fireworks

Separation anxiety

Travel anxiety

Hyperactivity

And much more!

It helps calm your dog by using gentle constant pressure. They are 100% guaranteed (if returned within 45 days) and our clients have been very happy with the results!

BIG NEWS for CAT OWNERS

The FDA has approved Comfortis ® (a proven oral flea control we have been using with dogs) for your feline! It is a pill that you give once a month to kill and prevent fleas as a great alternative to topical products. We have had wonderful results with patients that have skin issues, flea allergies, and/or flea infestations. We carry the six count box and single doses. Please call our office if you have any questions or would like to start using this product for your feline(s)!

More Hurricane Preparations

If you do not need to evacuate , it is still important to plan for your pets. When outside planters need to come into the house, please be careful as many plants are toxic to animals.   In case of a power outage lighted candles should never be left unattended with children, cats, or wagging tails. Please keep them away from curious faces and feet!

Bring pets indoor well in advance of a storm - reassure them and remain calm. They may be most comfortable and secure in their crates or safe area of the home until the storm has passed. Make sure each pet is accustomed to the crate before needed. This will ensure the crate will be a comforting and secure refuge. Even normally friendly animals of different species should not be allowed together unattended since the stress of the storm may cause distinct behavior changes. Keep fresh water available for your pet at all times and avoid sudden changes of diet. Never give your pet any sedatives or medications unless under a veterinarian’s prescription. Such medications can interfere with your pet’s ability to maintain its balance and equilibrium, which can lead to injury.

Your pet should wear a secure collar at all times with tags showing proof of rabies vaccination and your name, home address, and phone number in case you get separated. Also have a leash on hand to control your pet. After a disaster animals can become aggressive or defensive so monitor their behavior. Do not allow pets to eat or drink any potentially contaminated food or water. Walk pets on a leash until they become re-oriented to their home - often familiar scents and landmarks may be altered and pets could easily be confused and become lost.  Also downed power lines, high water and debris can all pose a threat for animals after a disaster.

Be prepared for the worst . No one likes to think about it, yet many pets become separated from their owners. To increase the chances of a safe return, have a recent photograph and written description of your pet. Your pet's information is convenient to have on hand - even crucial, in the case of an emergency. When you have your pet’s annual exam done, we send you a complimentary wallet-sized ID card perfect for carrying with you wherever you go. This information-packed card contains valuable information about your pet, including: the pet's photo and identifying information, your pet's microchip number, your pet’s vaccination information, Seminole Trail Animal Hospital’s contact information, and Veterinary Emergency Clinic emergency number.  If pets cannot be found after a disaster, contact your local animal control office and HomeAgain ^® to notify them that your pet is missing.

Hurricane Season preparations

Make a plan now for what to do with your pets if you need to evacuate before a storm. Many public shelters for people will not accept pets. Those that do will be filled on first come first served basis so call ahead and determine availability. If you plan to shelter your pet allow sufficient time into your evacuation route. Specialized pet shelters, animal control shelters, veterinary clinics and friends and relatives out of harm's way are ALL potential refuges for your pet during a disaster. If you plan on going to a hotel, please determine in advance whether pets are welcome and if there are any special rules.

Animals brought to a pet shelter are required to have:  Proper identification collar and rabies tag, proper identification on all belongings, a carrier or cage, a leash, an ample supply of food/water and bowls, any necessary medications, specific care instructions and news papers or trash bags for clean-up. On the outside of the crate print your name, the pet’s name, your home and destination address and phone number. Have a sturdy, properly ventilated crate of adequate size for each pet to stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably. The crate should be free of interior hazardous protrusions, have a door that latches securely, and have external handles. The bottom should be leak proof and covered with a towel or absorbent material. Never put a leash in the crate, as your pet could become entangled. Another suggestion is to make a set of temporary tags with the address and phone number of your destination.

Is your pet prepared for hurricane season?

While it looks like Hurricane Isaac will avoid us, there are many things that need to be considered. When making your plans for the hurricane season, make sure to include your pet. If a hurricane were to come, there are certain supplies you would need to have set aside for your animals. Pet owners must plan ahead in case of evacuation because many public shelters will not accept pets. If your pet does not have a microchip already, now would be a perfect time to have it done.

Pet Hurricane Supply Kit

Proper identification including immunization records

All medications and a first aid kit

Specific care instructions and emergency phone numbers

At least one sturdy leash and collar (with tags)

Blanket/Bedding/litter

Plenty of food and water (2 week supply)

Manual can opener, spoon, and bowls

A carrier or cage

Treats and toys

Waste removal bags/litter box

Flashlight

Take pictures of you with your pets and keep them with you for identification purposes Waste removal bags and a flashlight

Interested in the kidney screening for your best friend?

Blacky wants to let all the cats know that the Kit4Cat  is a great way to go when collecting the urine sample! It is a hydrophobic litter, that allows you to collect the sample at home so you can bring it in when you come in for the blood test. Our staff would be happy to give you more information.
Not sure what the test results would mean? If the urinalysis and blood panel come back negative, that's great! Not only can we rule out many issues, we also have a reference point for the future. If the tests come back with some abnormalities, one of our doctors would then discuss the best treatment plan for your pet. Blacky has his own plan that has helped him through the last few years. When the disease is caught early, with your help, your dog or cat may have several years of contentment!
Our staff would love to set the appointment for the kidney screening for your pet, so please let us know how we can help you!

Forever remembered, forever loved, forever in our hearts... Rest in Peace Orion.

In honor of Orion (one of our Housecats who we lost to kidney disease), we are going to have special pricing on kidney screenings for the next month. In July 2010, we did a urinalysis on Orion and noticed some abnormalities. We were able to help him with supplements and changing his diet. There were no changes in his blood work until June 2011. Since we were able to catch the disease early, we still maintained his quality of life with the supplements, diet and fluid therapy.

Often the symptoms are not seen until the later stages, when up to 75% of the kidneys have already been affected. We feel it is very important to run a urinalysis and small blood panel to both diagnose kidney failure and monitor its progress. These tests help determine whether internal organs, such as the kidneys and liver, are functioning normally. Please contact our office at 407-366-4486, or via email stah2000@bellsouth.net, to set up your appointment with the technician to collect the urine and blood sample. If there are any other concerns you would like the doctors to address, we can set a separate appointment.

What's causing your dog to itch?

There are hundreds of possibilities. Like humans, dogs can develop allergies to various substances and an allergen may be inhaled or the dog may absorb it through direct contact with his skin. Sensitivity to certain foods may also trigger an allergic reaction. At Seminole Trail Animal Hospital, we carry many foods with novel proteins which help with hypersensitivity often associated with allergies. Iams Veterinary Diet Skin & Coat Plus KO is one example for canine patients with skin allergies, chronic ear infections, and chronic gastrointestinal disorders. This diet contains kangaroo and a novel carbohydrate source oats. It also contains specific ingredients geared towards aiding in digestive health. This can be used with dogs who exhibit any of the following conditions or symptoms: inflamed/itchy skin, food allergies/intolerance, chronic ear infections, inflammatory bowel disease, colitis, chronic gastroenteritis, vomiting, and other issues. If you are interested in using this diet as supportive care for your pet, please contact us for more information.

Dealing with the heat and our pets

Even though school is starting, and summer is almost over...the heat is still an issue in Florida for our four legged friends! Here are some tips:

Beware of hot asphalt & hot sand: a good way to tell if the ground is too hot is to feel it with the palm of the hand, which is about as sensitive as animals' foot pads. If it's too hot to touch, walk at a different time of day or on a different surface.

Never leave a pet in the car: when the temperature outside is between 72 and 96 degrees, the temperature inside a parked car, even with the windows open, goes up 40 degrees within the first hour

Watch for dehydration: pets don't self-regulate as well and will keep on jogging or walking alongside their favorite humans without realizing something is wrong.

Dog owners with pools should take special precautions to protect their pets from drowning as many dogs are not good swimmers.

Know the danger signs of heatstroke: panting excessively, confused, uncoordinated, reluctant to continue moving, vomiting and diarrhea

The Thundershirt

This is the season for thunderstorms and it can be a stressful time of year for some dogs. Does your dog hide under the bed, shake and whine when it is thundering and lightning or with fireworks? Does your dog have other stressors like separation anxiety or travel anxiety?

A simple product that we have found successful in dealing with dog’s anxiety is the Thundershirt^tm. It is a snug-fitting garment for dogs that provides a gentle, constant pressure; kind of like a hug. The pressure has a dramatic calming effect for most dogs if they are over-excited, fearful or anxious. For many, this is a great alternative to medications!

Welcome to Seminole Trail Animal Hospital's Blog!

We are starting a new blog feature as another place to find useful news about Seminole Trail Animal Hospital as well as allow you to easily keep up with current pet health news, pet tips, and other pet-related information. From diet and exercise to safety advice and the overall wellness of your pets, we want to make this blog a place for valuable, helpful information. We hope you will find our veterinary blog useful and educational. Please check back as we will be adding to it regularly. Thanks, and we hope you join the conversation and our community!
Visit us at our website www.seminoletrail.com or on Facebook!