Laurie Anne Walden, DVM Do you have unused or expired prescription medications in the house? Keeping these drugs around is risky because of the possibility of accidental exposure, overdose, or intentional misuse, says the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Disposing of medications safely also protects the environment. This Saturday, April 28, is National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., you can take prescription medications you no longer need (whether they were prescribed for animals or for people) to collection sites for safe disposal. To find a site near you, go to the DEA Take Back Day website. Don’t dispose of medications by flushing them down the toilet or pouring them down the drain. Drugs discarded this way enter the waterways, where they can harm wildlife and damage the environment. Drug residues can even enter the drinking water supply. The safest way to dispose of medications is to take them to an authorized collection site. These sites are usually located in police stations or pharmacies and are available throughout the year, not only on Prescription Drug Take Back Day. To find a location, check one of these resources:
Some prescription drugs have disposal instructions in the package insert. If your medication came with disposal instructions, follow those directions. If disposal instructions aren't included and you don't have access to a collection site, follow these steps:
A few prescription medications are so harmful if they're accidentally ingested that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not recommend throwing them in the trash. For more information about these drugs or about drug disposal in general, see Disposal of Unused Medicines: What You Should Know on the FDA website. Photo by Joshua Coleman Laurie Anne Walden, DVM Preventive health care helps pets live longer, happier lives. But some cats are so anxious about travel that bringing them to the clinic—not to mention examining and treating them—is a challenge. Resistance to carriers and stress at the veterinary hospital are two of the top reasons that some cats receive no preventive health care at all. Here are some things you can do at home to make trips to the clinic easier for your cat. Choosing a carrier Choose a carrier that is easy to get your cat into and out of. Lifting a cat out of a top opening is less stressful (to the cat) than pulling or dumping her out of a front opening. A front-loading carrier lets a cat walk in on her own, so consider carriers with both front and top doors. Rigid plastic carriers that come apart in the middle are great for cats who are anxious at the clinic. Taking the top half of the carrier off makes it easy to gently scoop out a cat. Sometimes the cat can stay in the bottom half, where she might feel more secure, for most of the examination. Getting your cat used to the carrier Cats need lots of time to adjust to new things. Let your cat get used to the carrier at home before you need to bring her to the clinic.
Once your cat is going into the carrier on her own, shut the door for brief periods. Continue to give positive reinforcement: occasionally drop a treat through the top while the door is shut. Let her out before she shows signs of anxiety (ears pinned back, flattened or frozen posture, vocalization). Getting your cat used to traveling After your cat has accepted the carrier as a normal part of life, take her on short car rides that end in something fun. Dogs who love car rides have learned that good things happen after a trip. Cats are often put in the car only to go somewhere they don’t like, so naturally they are less happy about it. Try taking very short trips that end at home, with treats and toys when you get back. Medication Carrier training and synthetic feline pheromones are just not enough to manage some cats’ fears. (Cats who are aggressive at the clinic are scared cats, not bad cats.) Or you might need to bring your cat to the clinic before you have time to accustom her to the carrier. Antianxiety medication given at home before a clinic visit can make a big difference for some cats. Call the clinic if you’d like to discuss the options. We want the clinic experience to be as stress-free as possible for both you and your cat. More information from the American Association of Feline Practitioners Choosing the perfect cat carrier Cat carrier tips Getting your cat to the veterinarian Photo by Paul Laurie Anne Walden, DVM Do you like to give holiday gifts to your pets? You don’t have to spend a lot of money to make them happy—as any cat owner whose cat likes the box better than the toy already knows. Rather than listing the latest and greatest toys you can buy at the last minute on Christmas weekend, I’ll discuss a few things you can do for your pets to keep them healthy and stress-free throughout the year. Toys Toys are an important part of environmental enrichment for both dogs and cats. Environmental enrichment means giving animals objects and experiences that meet their psychological and physical needs. Providing adequate enrichment reduces animals’ anxiety, which in turn reduces unwanted behavior. Consider your pets’ natural instincts when choosing toys. Some dogs enjoy playing fetch; others (like all of the dogs I’ve had myself) would rather watch you do the fetching. Cats are natural predators and need toys that simulate stalk-and-pounce hunting. Behaviorists suggest using toys that provide different types of sensory stimulation (taste, vision, hearing, smell, and touch). For both dogs and cats, rotate toys to prevent boredom. Be mindful of possible choking hazards and monitor your pets while they are playing. Toy ideas for dogs:
Toy ideas for cats:
Exercise Exercise, which can include both walking and interactive play, benefits both you and your pets. Walking your dogs promotes bonding; sending them alone into a fenced yard does not. If you usually play with your pet for only a couple of minutes at a time, consider increasing the interaction time. In one study, owners who played with their cats for bouts of 5 minutes or longer reported fewer cat behavior problems than owners who played with their cats for only 1 minute at a time. Safe Spaces Give your pets indoor hideaways. A safe space can be a crate, a tall cat perch, or a quiet room—anywhere they can get away from visitors, other pets, or loud noises like New Year’s fireworks. Give your pets time to become comfortable with the safe space before a stressful event occurs so they will see it as a retreat, not a punishment. Preventive Care A veterinary blog wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the gift of good health! Fleas, ticks, heartworms, and intestinal parasites (like hookworms and roundworms) are all common in the South. Parasite preventives are safer and more effective than they were in past decades, and keeping your pets free of parasites will also protect your own health. A new toothbrush and pet toothpaste are great stocking stuffers for pets. Regular physical examinations, appropriate vaccinations, and good nutrition will also help keep your pets healthy. Disaster Preparation Plan Give yourself peace of mind and ensure your pets’ safety by preparing in advance for winter storms and unexpected disasters. Plan how you’ll take your pets with you during an evacuation, and consider giving them microchips as permanent identification in case you get separated. See the disaster plan post for more tips. Above all, give your pets lots of love and attention, and have a wonderful holiday! Thanks to the American Association of Feline Practitioners (environmental needs PDF), Clinician’s Brief (environmental enrichment for cats [PDF] and dogs [PDF]), American Veterinary Medical Association, Indoor Pet Initiative, Companion Animal Psychology, and Psychology Today for some of the ideas in this article. Photo by oliverromero
With the Fourth of July and frequent thunderstorms, summer can be tough for pets that are afraid of loud noises. Medication and behavior therapy can help, especially when treatment begins early. Noise phobia is common in dogs. In some behavior studies, up to half of dogs show fear responses to loud noises. Some dogs are afraid of only one type of sound; others are fearful of several. Fireworks, thunder, and gunshots are common triggers. Vacuum cleaners, construction noise, sirens, and other sounds can also set off fear reactions. Dogs with noise phobia may also have other anxiety disorders like separation anxiety. Some behavior specialists classify storm phobia separately from noise phobia because affected dogs may be sensitive to environmental factors (like changes in barometric pressure) in addition to noise. Storm-phobic dogs often start acting anxious long before the storm arrives. Noise phobia gets worse with time if not treated. Owners sometimes don't seek treatment until a dog's symptoms become severe, but phobias are usually easier to manage while the symptoms are still mild. Signs of noise phobia Being startled by a sudden loud noise is normal. Dogs with noise phobia develop irrational, ongoing fear responses to noise triggers. They can hurt themselves and damage property. Panicking pets may also hide or freeze, which is less obvious than breaking through a window but is still a sign of fear. Pets with noise phobia can have various reactions:
Treatment options Most behavior specialists suggest treating phobias with environmental modification and behavior therapy, usually combined with medication. However, treatment is tailored to each pet's needs. Before starting treatment, your pet may need diagnostic tests to rule out medical problems that can contribute to anxiety. Environmental modification and behavior therapy Pets should have a safe place to escape the noise. This can be a windowless interior room, a closet, a bathroom, a crate (perhaps with a sound-dampening cover), or any other area you've noticed your pet seeking during loud noises. Providing music or white noise in the safe place helps some pets. If your dog does not have a preferred location, you can create one--but do not force a dog to go to a particular area (like a crate) if it increases his anxiety. Training a dog to settle in the safe zone on command can become a relaxation technique he can use during noise events. Counter-conditioning can decrease fear and provide a distraction. For example, giving a treat-filled toy during thunderstorms can help a dog learn to associate the noise with something positive. Desensitization begins with playing a recording of the problem sound at a very low volume for a very short time (at a level too low to provoke anxiety). The volume is gradually increased until the dog is able to listen without fear. This can take weeks or months. It is less likely to work for dogs with storm phobia. Medication Fast-acting antianxiety medications are used as needed for individual noise events, such as Fourth of July fireworks. Most work best if given at least 30 minutes before the noise begins, although some can reduce anxiety in dogs who are already frightened. Examples are alprazolam, trazodone, and a form of dexmedetomidine placed inside the cheek. Long-term daily medications (such as fluoxetine) can help dogs who have anxieties in addition to noise phobia. They may also reduce overall anxiety in dogs with storm phobia. These drugs can be used in combination with fast-acting medications. Other therapies Antianxiety wraps put gentle pressure on the body. Some owners say these products help calm their dogs; others see little difference. A dog pheromone is available as a collar, spray, or diffuser. A recent study showed that the pheromone decreased signs of noise phobia, although other reports have been inconclusive. What you can do
June 27, 2017 Photo by Robert Larsson |
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The contents of this blog are for information only and should not substitute for advice from a veterinarian who has examined the animal. All blog content is copyrighted by Mallard Creek Animal Hospital and may not be copied, reproduced, transmitted, or distributed without permission.
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