Wild or Lost Animals
What do you do when you spot an animal at the side of the road or your neighbor's pet is harassing your kids? Do you try to call it to you or yell and wave your arms? Each situation and each animal is different. Proceed carefully and with lots of common sense. Remember, animals that are lost are frequently scared and therefore more liable to bite, especially if grabbed quickly. Also, not every animal you see is tame or enjoys human contact. A cat that looks friendly may become a tiger when cornered. If a situation is beyond your ability, don't hesitate to call for help (Animal Control 703-792-6465). AND, rabies does exist. If an animal bites and runs away, seek medical attention regardless of how minor the injury may seem (rabies post-exposure treatment will likely be recommended)!
Is He Going to Bite Me?
What does a wagging tail mean? … Don't always assume a wagging tail is a friendly one, there are MANY dogs that wag their tail when agitated. What is the face doing when the tail is wagging? If the dog is staring at you and snarling, believe the face!! The dog is confused, and sometimes a confused dog is MUCH more likely to bite. (Just like people and our "nervous laugh", we may be laughing but we are surely not happy and relaxed!) And, what about all of those "grinning" dogs. Sorry, but those dogs are confused too, however cute they are. Respond to them happily, but give them their space … they aren't sure whether they should be defensive or friendly. Dogs really don't "smile" unless they have been taught to and in "dog-speak" lifted lips and a glimpse of teeth means, "I'm uncomfortable with how close you are to me and I need space," regardless of how much the tail may be wagging and how much the dog is bounding around you. Be careful, you could do something that convinces the dog that you really are a threat and not just an equally happy/excited playmate. If your dog exhibits these or other "confused" behaviors please discuss them with us. Our goal is to help everyone to send and receive clear messages.
… Oh, and if the wagging tail is on a cat, especially if it is staring intently at you or your hand, DO NOT reach for it!! Cats wag their tails only when angry or agitated!
Golden Oldies
Pets are living longer, just as people are. One of the reasons for this is better health care and preventative medicine. Regular screening of older pets is recommended to diagnose developing conditions (i.e., heart or kidney failure, osteoarthritis) before your pet becomes seriously ill or uncomfortable. When detected early, many conditions can be successfully managed, adding many happy/healthy years to a beloved pet's life. Screening typically includes a good physical exam, baseline bloodwork (CBC, chemistry, thyroid level, urinalysis) and may include x-rays, glaucoma testing, blood pressure measurement or other diagnostic, depending on your pet's breed and history. We are always available to discuss your pets "golden years".
Ever heard of "Alzheimer's" in dogs? Just like people, some dogs develop cognitive dysfunction as they age. Typical signs are disorientation, altered interaction with family members, disrupted sleep patterns, loss of house-breaking, and altered activity. Free-radical damage is implicated as a cause and antioxidants (i.e., a diet high in antioxidants) is helpful. Science Diet currently makes a diet high enough in antioxidants (L-carnitine, lipoic acid, vitamins C and E, carotenoids, flavonoids and fatty acids) to support our "golden oldies" without supplementation.
Where's the cat?
Hey, didn't the cat used to sit on top of the refrigerator? Oh, yeah, but he was young then … Hmmm, maybe he has arthritis and hurts. Many older cats have osteoarthritis and deal with their aches and pains by not running and jumping as much as they did when they were "young". Granted, we may be thankful that the old guy doesn't jump up on the counter like he used to, but we don't want him hanging out in the closet because his joints hurt. Cats are notorious for "suffering in silence" and hiding their maladies. There are many pain medications, glucosamine products and treatments available for these quiet creatures.
