April is Senior Pet Health Month

Save $20 on a full blood panel for your senior pet. 

See this Pet Health Network video for more information on caring for senior dogs.

Compassionate Care Veterinary Hospital of Charlotte
is now accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association

We are proud to announce that the Compassionate Care Veterinary Hospital of Charlotte is now accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA).  It is an honor that many practices strive for, but few are capable of achieving.  Of all the small animal practices in the United States only 15% are accredited by AAHA. To become AAHA accredited, a veterinary practice like ours is evaluated on 45 mandatory standards and 900 quality standards of care ranging from the quality of our training for you and our employees; our medical records keeping, patient care, cleanliness, hospital protocols, pain management, and client service to name just a few.

What does that mean for you?  It means that you can rest assured that your pet will receive the highest quality care available anywhere and that you will receive exceptional service from a friendly, professional staff who are dedicated to the health of your pet.  

Compassionate Care Veterinary Hospital of Charlotte would like to thank everyone at the hospital who worked so hard to make this prestigious achievement happen. 

 THANK YOU! 

Please Come and Save on Our New Online Pharmacy!

We are excited to announce our new online pharmacy VetSource! Medications are conveniently delivered directly to your home and are guaranteed. With our busy lives, it can be hard to remember to give our companions their monthly protection against heart worms, fleas, and intestinal parasites. Through our VetSource pharmacy, we can arrange for your preventatives to arrive once a month. This will remind you to give the prescribed medication on time, as well as help break up the cost by paying for individual monthly doses.

Not computer savvy? No problem! Just contact our friendly receptionists and they will be happy to order the medication for you over the phone, or during checkout when you visit. Please contact us with any questions in regards to the new pharmacy option! We look forward to seeing you and your pets!

Clean Teeth are Essential to Your Pets' Health

Please come and see us for a free dental evaluation by our technical staff! Our friendly nurses will check your pet for gingivitis, loose teeth, and build up of calculus and/or tartar and then provide you with an individualized treatment plan. During this visit, they will also go over any recommendations or extractions that may be required and address any questions or concerns that you have in regards to your pet, anesthesia, and at home care.

A Brush a Day Keeps the Bacteria Away.....

In order to maintain your furry friend’s clean, pleasant smelling mouth after a dental cleaning, there are a few things to consider....

1. Brushing your pets teeth daily is the best at preventing build up of tartar and calculus. The mechanical motion will remove the days build up of material. This, however, can be challenging for some owners for a number of reasons. Our busy lifestyles, lack of time, unwilling/uncooperative companions, and forgetfulness, all can make it difficult to get our pets teeth brushed. If you fall into one of these categories, there still are options!
2. If brushing is not for you and your companion, the second best thing to consider is an oral rinse daily. We have a product that you squirt in your pets mouth once daily that will serve to freshen breath and help prevent tartar build up. It is not as good as brushing, but it will help maintain oral health and increase the time between dental cleanings. If you combine brushing with the rinse, you will get better long term results.
3. If brushing and rinsing are not for you, or if you want to do something a little more to help maintain your pets oral health, the next step is chews. There are a number of chews on the market, and it can be overwhelming trying to differentiate products in grocery and pet stores. We offer chews that are impregnated with an antibiotic that will help both with breath as well as tartar (mechanical motion of chewing). They are easily digested and broken down (unlike raw hides) and should be given once daily. We offer a couple different choices in chews, please ask one of our technicians to go over them with you!
4. If all of the above is difficult to do, or if you want to provide your pet with a complete dental hygiene plan, then next step would be a water additive. This is an odorless, tasteless liquid that you add to water that will help prevent plaque and freshen breath. It is safe for both dogs and cats, and does not require a lot of effort or time.

For more information on dental disease in dogs and cats, please visit healthy pet. Click on Your Pets Dental Questions-Answered and   learn more about dental problems and solutions.

Our staff is dedicated to the overall dental health of your pet. The healthier the mouth, the better the quality of life and comfort for your companion. Please come and see us and we will be happy to help you put together a dental plan to keep your pet’s breath kissably fresh!

A New Beginning...

The name of our hospital will soon be changing! For those who have been long term clients, you know us as Sardis Animal Clinic. In the next few weeks, our new sign will be up, along with a new logo. You may also notice that your calls will be received with a different greeting. Under the new ownership, we have a new practice manager, Lynn Wingard. She brings many years of experience to the table and is ready to help you with any questions or problems that may arise.  We have retained the support staff as they each bring something special to the practice. All of them have huge hearts and love what they do. We are fortunate to have such a caring and compassionate team.

You can drop in at any time, or contact us by email or phone with any questions or concerns with the transition. Please watch the mail for letters of introduction and come in to meet Dr. Johnson! We look forward to meeting and working with you, and helping your companions have the best lives possible in your care!

7 Summer Safety Tips For Pets

 April showers are gone, and the sun’s rays are on. Now’s the time to enjoy some cat cuddles and romps with your dogs. But make sure your pets stay healthy and safe during this season marked by pests and high temperatures. Here are seven ways to safeguard your pets:

1. Cover the basics. Secure an up-to-date tag on your pet’s collar, and make sure to use a leash when you head outdoors. Consult your veterinarian for flea and tick control options, and always keep your pet’s vaccinations current.
2. Safely see the sights. Taking your pets for a ride in the car or minivan? Never leave them inside—windows up or down—on hot days. Keep dogs’ heads in the car while driving; inner ear damage, lung infections, and injury happen when man’s best friend sticks his head out the window. Buckle up your dog with a harness or seat belt for dogs, or a crate or carrier secured with a seat belt. And never let dogs ride in the back of trucks. A crate in the truck bed keeps dogs from bouncing out in an accident or being hit with debris on the road.
3. Be wary around water. Not all dogs are natural swimmers, so watch your pooch when you’re near the pool, beach, or lake. On trips to the ocean, make sure your pets don’t drink the salt water—it upsets their stomach, just like yours. And watch those currents; the best paddling dog can struggle against a mean undertow.
4. Keep cool. Schedule walks in the early morning or evening; dog paws hate hot pavement. You can also make dog exercise sessions safe by stopping for drinks of fresh water and finding shady spots for necessary panting breaks. Some pet owners also help prevent overheating with short fur shaves for cats and dogs in the summer.
5. Watch for warning signs. Heat stroke is an issue for pets, too. Be on the lookout for early symptoms: excessive panting and drooling, bright red gums, weakness, and balance problems. As the condition worsens, pets may experience labored breathing, lethargy, and even seizures. You can cool down an overheated pet with cold water or towels and by offering ice chips or small bowls of water.
6. Party with prudence. Be wary of what your cats and dogs can get into when you celebrate. Chocolate, raisins, and onions can be bad for dogs and cats, and alcohol is also a no-no. If your pets get anxious or fearful around fireworks or big crowds, keep them away from the sparklers and concerts.
7. Protect against pets and poisons. Fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, and more seem to be everywhere in the summer, so consult with your veterinarian on the best pest preventives to use for your and your pets’ lifestyle. Also, keep your animals off areas sprayed with chemi- cals or insecticides, and always store fertilizers and other poisonous substances out of their reach.

Courtesy of Hornblower Cruises & Events, ASPCA, and the Humane Society of the United States

Zoonosis To Watch 

A zoonosis (zoh-oh-NOH-sis) is an infectious disease that people can catch from animals, and vice versa. Regular veterinary visits, preventive vaccinations and medications, and good hygiene can help prevent them.
Below are details about a common zoonosis, its symptoms, how it’s transmitted, and how to prevent it. Check with your veterinarian to make sure your pet is protected against this and other zoonotic diseases.

Roundworms

-Large (3- to 18-cm) worms that are usually tightly coiled when passed and look like spaghetti.

Signs:

-Puppies & kittens: Failure to gain weight, poor hair coat, pot-bellied appearance; puppies of 4 to 6 months of age with heavy infections may expel a large mass of worms in their vomit.
-Adult dogs & cats: Vomiting
-People: Pneumonia-like symptoms, skin staining from damage to internal organs, and irritated retinas from damage to the eyes.

How it’s transmitted:

-Puppies & kittens: Crossing through the placenta from the mother, and ingesting eggs in feces.
-Adult dogs & cats: Ingesting eggs in feces and in infected animals like rodents.
-People: Ingesting eggs through feces in soil or on pets and ingesting items contaminated with infected feces.

People most at risk:

-Children

How to prevent it:
-Deworm puppies and kittens every two weeks until they can receive a monthly control product.
-Promptly treat infected pets to prevent shedding of eggs, which are hardy and long-lived.
-Promptly remove animal feces from the yard and litter box.
-To help prevent ingestion of infected animals or feces, keep dogs on leashes or in fenced yards and keep cats indoors.
-Monitor children playing outside in sandboxes and parks.

Toxoplasmosis

What it is:

Toxoplasmosis involves a protozoan parasite that infects virtually all warm-blooded vertebrates.

Signs:

-Cats: Rarely causes clinical signs, but may cause coughing, shortness of breath, fever, weight loss, and lethargy.
-People: Rarely causes clinical signs, but may cause flu-like symptoms; in people with deficient immune responses it can lead to death, congenital malformation, or mental retardation.

How it’s transmitted:

-Cats: Ingesting oocysts (egg cells) in feces and in infected animals like rodents.
-People: Ingesting uncooked meat and being exposed to infected cat feces.

People most at risk:

-Everyone is at risk, but especially immunosuppressed people, including pregnant women, fetuses, and children.

How to prevent it:

1. Keep cats indoors to prevent ingestion of infected animals and feces.
2. Avoid feeding uncooked meats to cats.
3. Remove feces from litter box daily.
4. Wash litter boxes with scalding water or steam.
5. Allow only non-pregnant people with uncompromised immune systems to clean litter boxes.
6. Wash hands thoroughly after exposure to soil, sand, raw meats, and unwashed vegetables.
7. Wear gloves when gardening.
8. Cover children’s sandboxes when not in use.

Source: Julie Legred, CVT

Walking your Dog for Weight Loss

When you combine exercise with proper diet and lifestyle, you extend the years you’ll have to hug and love and snuggle with your four- legged friend. Walk with your dog every day, and you’ll enhance the bond you share—and know you’re doing both yourself and your pet a world of good. Of course, make sure your veterinarian examines your dog before undertaking a weight loss exercise program with your portly friend.

Get the right equipment

1. Forget the leash and collar. Collars can compress the trachea (windpipe) when pulled, causing difficulty breathing or even injury. Especially dangerous are choke collars or constricting collars of any design. A head halter or walking harness is your safest choice. Look for wide, soft, padded straps and breathable materials. I prefer retractable leashes no longer than 12 feet—you’ll be keeping your canine companion close to keep up a steady pace. Save the long leash for those casual strolls around the neighborhood when Daisy wants to catch up on her latest pee-mail.
2. For winter walks, protective booties may be required if you live in a cold climate.
3. If it’s warm (above 80 to 85 F for most dogs) or if you’ll be walking longer than 30 minutes, carry water. There are many styles of portable water bottles available for dogs on the move.

Set the right pace

1. Few dogs will naturally walk at a pace that generates the elevated heart rates needed for sustained aerobic activity. Walking for weight loss is very different than walking for pleasure. Make your objective to move briskly on the “out” leg of your walk, and then let your dog smell the roses on the “back” leg. If you start slowly, allowing your pet to sniff everything he sees, you may have a challenge getting him to speed up when you’re ready.
2. Draw your dog close on his leash, generally within two to four feet on the side away from the street, and set off at a pace you feel comfortable sustaining. It should feel brisk and you should break a light sweat. The key is to keep it up! Don’t look down when your pooch inevitably wants to stop and smell something or mark a hydrant. Continue looking straight ahead, tighten the leash (don’t jerk), and give a command such as “No stop,” “Come,” or “Here.” It’s important for your dog to understand that you have places to go and that this is different from your usual lolly- gagging affair. Head halters are a great way to train dogs to heel during a brisk walk and pay attention.
3. If your pet sits or refuses to walk, you may have to return home, crate him or put him in a quiet space without your attention, and try again another time. I have yet to encounter a dog that didn’t take readily to brisk walking.

Set Time Goals

For most overweight or obese dogs with normal heart and lung function, normal blood pressure, and no other pre- existing medical conditions, I recommend starting with 30-minute walks five times a week. Here’s a sample schedule:

Week 1           30 minutes total        10 minutes brisk followed by 20 minutes casual pace.
Week 2           30 minutes total        15 minutes brisk followed by 15 minutes casual pace.
Week 3           30 minutes total        20 minutes brisk followed by 10 minutes casual pace.
Week 4           35-40 minutes total  30 minutes brisk followed by 5-10 minutes casual pace.
Week 5+        35-60 minutes total  Two 20- to 30-minute walks per day: 15-25 minutes brisk
                                                              followed by 5 minutes casual pace.

If you can, walk 30 minutes a day seven days a week.

Check weight monthly

Have your dog weighed by your veterinarian monthly until he or she reaches the right weight. Also, have the clinic staff inspect the dog’s pads for any injuries or problems and check that the nails are short and healthy. After your pooch hits the desired weight, reweigh every three months.

SOURCE: Dr. Ernest E. Ward Jr., owner of Seaside Animal Clinic in Calabash, N.C.