Webster Groves Animal Hospital

Pets Take a Walk Down the Isle

People spend thousands of dollars on their weddings to make sure it’s juuuust right. And now, Fido may have his chance to get involved, too. In a study conducted in 2011, Brides magazine found that 10% of weddings included pets at the ceremony and/or reception, about half of which were in the actual wedding party.

Perhaps the most famous canine to appear was Ace, singer Carrie Underwood’s rat terrier, who made his appearance walking down the aisle in a Swarovski-crystal-studded tux. Many people who include pets in the special day credit it to the simple fact that their pet is part of the family. Whether it’s a pig, goat, chicken, or dog - for many, they all deserve their place in the family photo.

But of course, with this new trend come the obvious “accidents” and mishaps that should be accounted for when planning the big day. Pets are never entirely predictable, and just because it’s your big day, it doesn’t mean Fido has prepared accordingly. So maybe you can’t guarantee perfect behavior for your guests, but who doesn’t love a puppy in a tux?

PET POLITICS

Pet politicking is all the rage. And it seems to be working. President Obama’s campaign has mastered a new target audience – pet owners – to help spread their love of animals – and the president. “Pet Lovers For Obama” is a facebook page for pet owners to post pictures of their pets dressed in political garb and exchange comments to one another. The page was created by Tina Gangidine – and of course guest hosted by Bo Obama, who is pictured across the cover page with his loving owner.

The site has already garnered over 35,000 “likes.” Gangidine says this is more attention than any of her other campaigns have ever seen. With cute cats in flashy Obama collars and dogs in tiny Obama tees, how could it not? And in case of pet-envy, there is even an accompanying page where pet owners can buy merchandise for their own furry friends, including “I meow for Michelle” cat collars and “I bark for Barack” car magnets.

Mitt Romney’s campaign doesn’t have a similar website (at least not yet anyway), but rather criticizes Obama for diverting attention away from the bigger issues. Yet, with so many loving pet owners out there, appealing to this sentiment really only seems like some good ol’ fashioned politicking.

Relieve your pet's arthritis-related pain with Rimadyl

Aging pets can face many of the same problems as their owners. Arthritis is especially prevalent among our canine friends-as many as 11 million dogs (or 1 in 5 adult dogs) are afflicted with arthritis. Stiff joints, soreness and inflammation can cause pain, loss of mobility and declined quality of life in humans and dogs alike.

Arthritis is a degenerative joint disease that mainly affects older dogs. Symptoms of canine arthritis vary, but there are some telltale signs that many dogs exhibit. These symptoms include stiffness in the morning, hesitation to exercise, reluctance to go up or down stairs, decreased appetite and defiant behavior. Dogs that are obese are more prone to suffer from arthritis. If your dog is exhibiting any of these signs, or if you believe your dog may have arthritis, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian immediately.

It's easy for owners to dismiss signs of arthritis as symptoms of "old age." But pets can continue to lead active, vibrant lives, even in their senior years. Your veterinarian may recommend a treatment program for your dog that includes changes in diet, an exercise regiment and the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

One of the leading arthritis treatments for dogs is Rimadyl. Developed by Pfizer, Rimadyl has been proven clinically effective for pain relief associated with arthritis. More than 10 million pets have been prescribed Rimadyl. With Rimadyl, your pet is able to move about freely, running up stairs and happily jumping into the car for a ride. To learn more about Rimadyl, click here.

Signs of Rimadyl intolerance may include appetite loss, vomiting and diarrhea, which could indicate rare but serious side effects involving the digestive tract, liver or kidneys. If these signs occur, discontinue Rimadyl therapy and contact your veterinarian. For additional product details, including drug interaction information, click here for dog owner information.

Bob Nack, DVM, Dipl. ABVP

Dr. Bob Nack is a Diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners specializing in canine and feline practice. A native of St. Louis, he has cared for pets at Webster Groves Animal Hospital since 2004. Dr. Nack attended Truman State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology. He then enrolled at the University of Missouri – Columbia College of Veterinary Medicine and received his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 1997.

Dr. Nack’s wife, Michelle, is also a veterinarian and the couple has four boys. They also provide a home for two cats named Milo and Jack and a dog named Hazel. Dr. Nack’s interests include studying history, especially American History, and teaching.

Annual Health Care Package

Protecting your adult pet against common infectious diseases and parasites is a must. The Annual Health Care Package at Webster Groves Animal Hospital gives your pet a head start for his or her preventive care. The package is $59.95* and includes the following services:

For cats:

Complete Wellness Exam
Distemper - Respiratory (FVRCP) Vaccine
Rabies Vaccine*
FELV Vaccine
Stool Worm Test
10% off a 6-month supply of Feline Revolution when purchased at the time of package visit

For dogs:

Complete Wellness Exam
Distemper / Lepto / Parvo Vaccine
Rabies Vaccine* (*Does not include the cost of rabies registration tag)
Heartworm Test
Stool Worm Test
10% 0ff a year's supply of preventative medication when purchased at the time of package visit

Please note: In the event your pet has not been vaccinated against DA2PP, Lepto, FVRCP or FeLV, your pet will require a second booster in 3 to 4 weeks at a cost of $18 to 24 per vaccine.

Dental Care

Dental care is one of the most important parts of your pet's preventive healthcare plan. Clean teeth and a healthy mouth do more than just prevent bad breath - proper dental care is essential in preventing periodontal disease. Periodontal disease, caused by the build-up of bacteria and plaque on your pet's teeth and gums, results in bleeding and severe inflammation of the gums, gum recession, alveolar bone loss and tooth mobility. As the disease progresses, the bacteria can travel through the blood and damage the heart, liver and kidneys. Regular dental cleanings can prevent the spread of periodontal disease and keep your pet healthy.

Webster Groves Animal Hospital utilizes state-of-the-art veterinary dental equipment to thoroughly clean your pet's teeth. We offer dental radiology in order to accurately determine the best treatment for your pet's teeth. In addition, we offer periodontal treatments using Doxirobe gel, and dental sealant treatments using OraVet, to keep your pet's teeth clean and prevent the spread of periodontal disease. If your pet's teeth are damaged, we can restore and repair teeth using light-cured composite fillings, similar to those used in human dentistry.

Join the 'Revolution' and help your pet pummel parasites

For dogs and cats, parasites are a pain in the neck, back, stomach, paws and everywhere else. Fleas, ear mites, hookworms, roundworms and heartworms can cause your pet great discomfort and, in some cases, long-term health problems. Though parasites are hard to spot, the symptoms they cause are not. When your cat starts scratching or your dog begins showing signs of a parasite infection, it's time to take action.

Some parasites are easy to detect and treat while others are not. Fleas are commonly detected with the naked eye, while the symptoms of heartworm infection are usually not spotted until it's too late. Whether its ear mites, hookworms, fleas, roundworms or heartworms troubling your dog or cat, parasites must be dealt with quickly and effectively to ensure your pet remains healthy and happy.

Regular grooming sessions with your pet, as well as frequent check-ups by a veterinarian, can go a long way toward spotting and preventing parasites.If parasites do manage to make it through your defenses and attack your pet, there are treatments available. One such treatment is Revolution, developed by Pfizer.

Revolution is a topically-applied medication that provides all-around protection from parasites for your dog or cat. Revolution kills adult fleas, prevents flea eggs from hatching, prevents heartworm disease, and treats and controls both ear mites and roundworms. After applying Revolution, it enters your pet's bloodstream and redistributes itself from the blood to the skin and other tissues, where it provides protection against parasites.

For more information about Revolution for dogs, click here. For more information about Revolution for cats, click here.

Revolution is generally well-tolerated. In studies, <1% of cats and dogs experienced digestive upset. Approximately 1% of cats experienced temporary hair loss at the application site. Do not use in sick, weak or underweight animals.

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