Please follow these tips to help protect your pet when the temperature drops.

1.) Keep your cat inside. Outdoors, cats can freeze, become lost or be stolen, injured or killed. Cats who are strays are exposed to fatal infectious diseases, including rabies. Also, cats prey on wildlife.

2.) During the winter months, outdoor cars sometimes choose to sleep under the hoods of cars, where it is warmer. When the motor is started, the cat can be injured or killed in the fan belt. Before starting the engine, bang loudly n the car hood for a few seconds to give a cat a chance to escape.

3.) Never leave your dog off leash on the snow or ice, especially during a snowstorm. Dogs frequently lose their scent in snow and ice and easily become lost. They may panic in a snowstorm and run away. More dogs are lost during the winter than any other season.

4.) Thoroughly wipe off your dog’s legs and stomach when they comes in out of the rain, snow or ice. Salt, antifreeze or other chemicals could hurt your dog if these are ingested while licking their paws. Also sensitive paw pads may bleed from snow or ice encrusted on them. Booties may be used to protect your pet’s feet.

5.) If you own a short-haired breed, consider getting a warm coat or sweater with a high collar or turtleneck for your dog. Look for one that covers the dog from the base of their tail on top to the belly underneath. This can be a necessity for many dogs.

6.) Never leave your dog or cat alone in a car during cold weather. A car can act as a refrigerator in the winter, holding in the cold. The animal could freeze to death.

7.) If your dog is sensitive to the cold due to age, illness or breed type, take them outdoors only long enough to relieve themself.

8.) Puppies do not tolerate the cold as well as adult dogs and may be difficult to housebreak during the winter. If necessary, paper train your puppy inside if they appear to be sensitive to the cold weather.

9.) If your dog spends a lot of time engaged in outdoor activities, increase their supply of food, particularly protein, to keep their coat thick and healthy.

10.) Antifreeze, even in tiny doses, is a lethal poison for dogs and cats. Unfortunately, because of its sweet taste, animals are attracted to it. Be sure to thoroughly clean up any spills from your vehicle. To prevent accidental poisonings, more and more people are using animal-friendly products that contain propylene glycol rather than traditional products containing ethylene glycol.  Call your veterinarian or the ASPCA National Animal Poison Control Center (ASPCA/NAPCC) if you suspect that your companion animal has been poisoned.

11.) Never shave down your dog to the skin in the winter. Leave the coat in a  longer style, for more warmth. Remember that such a style will require more frequent brushing due to dry winter air and static electricity. When you bathe your dog, completely dry them before taking them out for a walk.

12. ) Make sure your companion animal has a warm place to sleep far away from drafts and off the floor, such as in a dog or cat bed with a warm blanket or pillow in it.

13.) Warmed water should be available outside in a deep plastic container with a large opening so it does not freeze as quickly. Changing the water multiple times also helps to keep it from freezing.

14.) You pet can slip on ice, just like you, resulting in serious injury. Rough ice can also cause cuts on paws. Using booties with traction control may help protect the feet and indirectly, the body.

15.) Dogs with a large amount of hair between their toes can get painful “snowball build-up”. To prevent this, use booties. You may also rub vaseline on the paws and in between the toes before playing in the snow.

Please consider these tips this winter season to help keep your pets safe when the temperature drops.

February is National Dental Month for Pets.  During the entire month of February, we will be offering a 10% discount of all dental services. This includes dental cleanings as well as dental products. Please call to schedule an appointment for your pet’s dental cleaning. Do not forget to stop by our office and stock up on dental products.

Periodontal disease is one of the most common health problems in our pets. In fact, it is estimated that 80 per cent of dogs and 70 per cent of cats older that 3 years of age suffer from one form of periodontal disease. The dental disease process begins with the accumulation of plaque, which is made of salivary proteins and bacteria. The bacteria irritate the gums, causing them to become inflamed, this is known as gingivitis.  If the plaque is removed by tooth brushing, the gingivitis resolves and the gums return to normal. 

If the plaque is not removed, it hardens into “tartar” or “calculus.” The calculus  provides a rough surface for even more plaque to accumulate bad breath may be noted. The inflammation continues in the gums and can also affect the bone in the area, resulting in destruction of the bone around the tooth roots. Eventually, the teeth become loose and fall out.

In addition to tooth loss, periodontal disease has other, more serious, consequences. The millions of bacteria present in an unhealthy mouth can spread to other parts of the body such as the heart, lungs, kidney and liver and cause disease in these organs.

In cats and  small breed dogs with small jawbones, the bone destruction caused by periodontal disease can weaken the jawbone enough to cause a fracture.

The good news is that periodontal disease is completely preventable! Removing the plaque reverses the inflammatory process in the gingiva and restores the gums to health. This can best be achieved by brushing your pet’s teeth daily. Once calculus has formed, a professional cleaning is required. Although the bone destruction caused by periodontal disease cannot be reversed, the inflammatory process can be stopped or slowed with proper treatment. You can provide your companion with healthy teeth and gingiva by scheduling him or her for a dental check up or professional dental cleaning.

Please consider these potential hazards when decorating your home this holiday season.

1.) Poinsettia, Mistletoe and Holly are all poisonous to animals if ingested.

2.) Glass ornaments can be broken causing cuts to the paws and mouths of your pets.

3.) Burning candles and hot wax left unattended can cause burns, or even a fire, if knocked over.

4.) Alcoholic drinks and chocolate are toxic if ingested.

5.) Being on holiday treats, especially if fatty, can cause a multitude of problems from diarrhea to life threatening pancreatitis.

6.) Aluminum foil (to cover food dishes) can cause intestinal blockages if ingested.

Garland, tinsel, ribbon and bows can also cause intestinal blockages if ingested. Do not use tinsel on your Christmas tree and keep all decorations and presents out of reach of your pets.

7.) Fake snow is toxic if ingested.

8.) Strand lights can cause burns to your pet’s skin and cuts to their mouths if broken or eaten. These can also be a source of electrocution if the strands are chewed or ingested. Keep the lights out of reach of your pet or use a taste deterrent to keep your pet from chewing the cord.

9.) A Christmas tree is potentially deadly if knocked over. Make sure that  your tree has a sturdy base. Placing bowls of vinegar around the base of the tree may deter cats from trying to climb in the tree.

10.) Christmas tree water can be toxic if the pine oil seeps out from the tree or if “extenders” are added to the water to extend the life of the tree. Place a wire mesh around the base of the tree and the water container to prevent your pet from being able to lick out of the container.

11.) Christmas tree needles can be prickly and may irritate your pet’s feet or get tangled in their fur and cause irritation. They can also be toxic if ingested. Make sure you make a fresh cut off the trunk before putting the tree in water, This will allow the tree to “drink” more easily and therefore prevent it from drying out. Continue to ensure the tree has plenty of water available so it does not drop needles. If it does drop needles, sweep or vacuum them up as quickly as possible to prevent problems.

We wish you and your pets a safe and Happy Holiday Season!

The Doctors and Staff at Paws of the Rockies Animal Hospital would like to wish all our clients and pets a Happy Holiday Season. Thank you for another year of continued support.

Christmas Schedule

We will be closed Saturday, December 23rd through Monday, December 25th. We will reopen Tuesday, December 26th for regular business hours from 8AM to 8PM.

New Year’s Schedule

We will be closed Saturday, December 30th through Monday, January 1st. We will reopen Tuesday, January 2nd for regular business hours from 8AM to 8PM.

We apologize for any inconvenience our closures may cause our clients. If you have an emergency with your pet during any of the days we are closed, please contact VCA Animal Emergency Services at 663-5760 or Ft. Collins Veterinary Emergency Hospital at 484-8080.