Dryer Sheets

A seemingly harmless and often used product, dryer sheets contain a few ingredients, like benzyl acetate and ethanol, which are very harmful to cats. Be sure to keep these sheets out of your pet’s reach and be sure to throw used sheets out in a garbage can with a lid.

Aloe

Although the inside of this plant calms and soothes human skin, it is one of many plants that are poisonous to cats. Keep aloe gel in a spot your kitty can’t get its paws and avoid keeping these plants around the house. For a list of other poisonous plants, click here.

Medicines

Medicines like aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen cause NSAID toxicity in cats, leading to stomach ulcers and kidney failure. One of the easiest ways for these toxins to be ingested is by licking an owner who has applied pain relief cream or by getting into a bottle in the cabinet. Keep medicines out of your cat’s reach and avoid the use of topical ointments around them. Acetaminophen is also dangerous for cats and can cause vomiting, diarrhea and tremors. Be careful when taking these products and be sure to pick up any medicines that drop on the floor.

If your cat gets into any of these items or others that you are not sure about and shows signs of sickness or lethargic behavior, be sure to call your local veterinarian immediately.

Serving an array of towns near Kersey, Colorado, Powell Veterinary Service can be contacted at 970-352-9164 and is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon. If your pet becomes ill in the evening hours, call the ASPCA’s animal poison control line at 888-426-4435 for assistance.

The post Household Products that can Harm your Cat first appeared on Powell Veterinary Service.

Laser therapy is the application of a coherent light. The laser light consists of multiple light waves in which all the waves support one another. Laser therapy is a holistic, non-invasive, effective way to treat and manage many different conditions.

How does laser therapy work?

The laser beam stimulates the cells and tissue to be healthy. It also reduces inflammation so that healing can begin. By reducing inflammation, the laser is also a great tool for helping to minimize the pain of many chronic conditions, like arthritis.

What will my animal feel when receiving the laser treatments?

Laser therapy is a painless application of healing light. You animal might feel a slight tingling as the light enters the tissue and cells, but it is very minimal if at all.

How long will each treatment take?

The treatment time depends on how chronic the condition is and the depth the laser light needs to reach and be effective. However, almost all treatments will be between two and ten minutes.

How many treatments will my animal need?

The number of treatments can vary greatly based on the condition, but many pet owners notice a positive difference within three or four treatments.

What are the costs of the treatments?

At Powell Veterinary Services the charge can be a one-time charge of $33.00 as of June 1, 2015 or a four treatment package for $119.50. These services are covered by most pet insurance policies. Ask us about Embrace Pet Insurance!! More affordable than you might think!

Are the results guaranteed?

We are not able to guarantee results on every animal. However, laser therapy has been proven effective in clinical studies and in rehab settings in both human medical and veterinary medical. There are over thirty years of research which supports the efficacy of this holistic treatment. Powell Veterinary Services has several clients who have had good experience with the laser treatments.

What conditions can the laser treat?

Acute & Chronic Otitis

Intervertebral Disc Disease

Anal Glands

Gingivitis & Periodontal Disease

Hip Dysplasia

Cranial Cruciate Ligament

Chronic Pain & Inflammation

Degenerative Joint Disease

Dermatological Disorders & Hot Spots

Arthritis and Lick Granulomas

The post Laser therapy is a holistic, non-invasive, effective way to treat and manage many different conditions. first appeared on Powell Veterinary Service.

As the 5th in our series of Top Five Tips for Assuring your Pet’s Health and Wellbeing we have compiled this general information to remember in handling your pets.

To see our 4 other blogs on this subject go to powellvets.com and select the Blog tab.

 Love & affection

• Just like people, pets thrive on attention! The more love you give, the more you’ll get back.  Studies show that a lovingly handled pet is a healthier pet. The touch of the human hand improves the function of virtually all of the sustaining systems: respiratory, circulatory, digestive, and so on, in newborn puppies. A frequently petted pet is not only healthier and happier; but also better behaved. Dogs, like humans, find solace in touching another living being, which is why they get along so well together
• Give your pet plenty of hugs, kisses, gentle pats, and love. Okay, so maybe you can’t pet a fish, but you can still show you care by talking to it, watching it, and feeding it special treats.

Exercise

• Dogs need plenty of exercise. Physical activity keeps them healthy, happy, and fit. Make sure you walk, run, hike, or play fetch with your dog every day. Not only is exercise good for your pup, but it’s good for you, too!
• Cats, especially if they live indoors, also love some quality playtime with you. This is a chance to have fun and get creative with cool cat toys.

Grooming

• It’s a good idea to brush and comb your pets every day to get rid of loose or shedding hair.
• Poke around to check for fleas, ticks, leaves, and other things that might be tangled in your pet’s fur.
• If you can, bathe dogs once a month in the summer, every three months in the winter using a hypo-allergenic conditioner (oatmeal). Most cats rarely need bathing. Cats do not care for baths, so if you feel that your cat needs a bath use a lingerie sack for bathing. But don’t overdo it! Too many baths take away the natural oils from a pet’s skin and can cause itching or rashes. Brushing both dogs and cats can often be adequate in most cases
• Cats will have fewer hairballs and shed less if they’re combed on a regular basis.

Training, if you have a dog

• Yes, Bowzer is your buddy, but you need to be his boss! If you don’t set up rules for him to follow, he may act aggressively and out of control. You don’t want your dog dashing into oncoming traffic, jumping on little kids, or growling at your neighbors, right? So you need to set up rules for him to follow and help him follow them.
• You can do this sometimes in a very gentle manner without raising your voice or becoming mean. Work with your parents to determine the rules of the house. If there’s a “no dogs on the sofa” policy, don’t let Spot on the couch the minute your parents leave the room. It’s best when all of you work together to teach your new family member how to behave.
• An obedience class is a great way to learn how to speak a dog’s language and teach her the rules of your household. But don’t expect her to be perfect — there will be accidents! Just be patient and loving, and eventually the hard work will pay off.

Pet Don’ts

• Don’t use insect sprays and weed killers around your pets or allow antifreeze to spill in any area where pets hang out. If animals get poisons on their fur or paws, then lick themselves, they can get very sick or even die.
• Don’t ever feed your pet chocolate, no matter how much they might beg. Dogs can die from eating too much dark chocolate.
• Don’t let your dog wander the neighborhood without you. She could get lost, hurt, or catch a disease from another animal. Always keep her on a leash when in public areas, like a park or busy street.
• Never give pets human medicine. Keep all medicines — human or pet — out of your pet’s reach.
• Never leave a pet alone in a car on a hot day-even with the windows cracked open. Temperatures can go up quickly and cause an animal to overheat, which is sometimes fatal.

The post A Lovingly Handled Pet is a Healthier Pet first appeared on Powell Veterinary Service.

Unfortunately, this innate ability to hide illness and disease sometimes means that you may not know anything is wrong with your cat until it’s too late. Too many times, friends and family lose cats unexpectedly to a disease when they never had a real chance to say good-bye. Though cats are masters at hiding illness, there are ways to detect that something is wrong, if you pay attention.

Weight Loss

Drastic weight loss is not normal for a cat, so if you notice that though your cat seems to be eating, he or she is still losing weight, or they suddenly lose their appetite, this could be a sign of illness. Normally in cats weight gain is usually only a sign of excessive eating.

Messy or Unkempt Fur

Cats are normally excessive groomers. They like to look good, and they don’t mind doing the work. When cats are stressed and nervous about anything, they tend to stop grooming themselves and their fur can become clumpy and begin to shed far more than usual. This is a sign that something may be wrong. Cats can get over stressed from moving, or any change of their usual environment.

Bad Breath

Bad breath may be normal for many dogs, but for cats this can be a sign of illness. Excessive bad breath can be a sign of periodontal disease, or other issues with your cat’s teeth or gums. If you notice bad breath consistently with your cat, it is wise to take them to the vet as soon as possible.

Respiratory Issues

Shallow breathing or a series of quick short breaths, can be a sign that your cat is suffering from health woes. You will need to pay close attention to your cat to notice. If you have a cat that is maturing, spend a lot of time with them and get to know their natural habits. This is the only way you will be able to detect if there are any real health concerns.

Taking your cat for regularly scheduled checkups, and providing them with a good home and a healthy diet, will help tremendously in keeping them active and vibrant. Since cats won’t really complain when they are in pain or discomfort, you must be mindful of checking to see if any of their habits have changed, such as an increased intake of water, and hiding out under beds and closets.

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The post Cats: Masters of Hiding Illness first appeared on Powell Veterinary Service.