Senior Lifetime Wellness Plans and Lifetime Dental Plans Promotions

In honor of Senior Pet Quarter all senior Lifetime Wellness Plan enrollment fees are $50 off. Renewal fees are discounted by $25. The veterinarians and team at West Ridge Animal Hospital believe in preventive care. We advocate that a pet’s optimum wellness is achieved through love, care, routine examinations, vaccinations, good dental health, and continuing education as we learn more about your devoted and loving friend. Our Lifetime Wellness Plans include all of the American Animal Hospital Associations recommendations for basic preventive care for your cat or dog; including twice yearly preventive care examinations, vaccinations, annual lab work, and discounted routine or emergency office examinations.

We had such great client feedback when we started our Lifetime Wellness Program and in response to your request created our Lifetime Dental Plans this year. Periodontal disease is a serious issue found in 85% of pets 4 years and older. If left untreated, your pet can suffer from its ill effects such as inflamed and painful gums, bad breath, bone loss, loose teeth, and infections that can spread to the other parts of the body.

 Through December 31st all senior pets who qualify will receive $25 off the enrollment into a dental health plan.

Juvenile Pubic Symphysiodesis (JPS) can help Minimize Hip Dysplasia Risk

This quarter, West Ridge Animal Hospital is focusing on Pet Prevention and the different ways to inhibit health issues in our pets. There are many different ways to prevent health issues and one approach is surgical. One surgery in particular has had marked success in minimizing the number of animals with hip dysplasia. This surgery is called the Juvenile Pubic Symphysiodesis (JPS) and is performed in puppies between the ages of 15-20 weeks.

If you have ever watched your beloved 12 year old Labrador struggle to get up off the floor you know exactly what we are referring to. Hip dysplasia is a degenerative disease in which dog shave poor fitting hip joints.  Typically, the ball and socket joint fit together neatly, allowing a dog to move their legs freely and without pain. If the animal’s joint does not fit together properly, as in the case of hip dysplasia, they are more prone to developing arthritis and pain in their joint area as they age.  Motion of the hip joints slowly causes erosion of soft cartilage, causing the bones to rub together increasing pain.

Hip dysplasia can occur in any breed, but is predominant in the larger dogs, particularly the German Shepherd, St. Bernard, Labrador Retriever, Pointers, and Setters. Although hip dysplasia is a genetic condition, research shows that environmental factors can also put a dog at risk. Overfeeding (especially of puppies) can predispose a dog to hip dysplasia. Excessive exercise may predispose dogs as well. Those who adopt a breed of puppy prone to dysplasia should ask their breeder if they have done any screenings on their dogs.

There are several different signs of severe hip dysplasia. Symptoms usually appear before the dog reaches one year of age and may include pain in the rear legs, incoordination, limping, and difficulty rising. Those with less severe cases may not develop arthritis or other symptoms until they become older (6-10 years).

Surgical procedure in young dogs such as the JPS is a more successful option than drugs for treating severe cases of hip dysplasia. Surgeons can improve the joints in young dogs by making changes to the shape of the femur or pelvis. During the JPS procedure, the pubic symphysiodesis, which is the cartilage seam connecting the left and right sides of the pelvis, is electrocauterized (or removed) to induce bony fusion and to stop the continued growth of the growth plate. This then allows the pubic bone to grow normally and allows for a tighter and healthier hip joint.


Much like humans who have joint problems, dogs that are diagnosed with hip dysplasia should not be free of exercise. Exercising at the dogs own pave can help loosen up the stiffness in the joints. Weight is a big factor as well. Shedding extra pounds can cause relief to the joints and bones. Those dogs that do have arthritis should be kept away from the cold since cold weather can aggravate aching joints.

If you are concerned about your dog having hip dysplasia or you want to do everything you can to prevent it, please talk to your veterinarian about the JPS procedure (www.WRAH.net/care/procedures/JPS.html) when scheduling his or her spay or neuter. Your pet will thank you for it!

Read about Lowering the Risks of Degenerative Joint Disease

Dental Quarter Update:

Dental Quarter is in full swing at West Ridge Animal Hospital! According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), periodontal disease is the most common, preventable, condition most frequently seen in dogs and cats. Good home care includes: brushing, appropriate chewtoys, and a healthy diet. For pets that are predisposed to dental disease or struggle with their oral health, there are a myriad of additional resources, including: water additives, medications, and oral health wipes. 

In conjunction with proper home care, your pet’s dental health needs to be assessed by a veterinarian on a yearly basis. Usually this is completed at the time of their preventive care physical examination(s). West Ridge Animal Hospital uses a grading system to determine the level of your pet’s periodontal disease. If needed we can complete an American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) approved anesthetized dental cleaning, assessment, and treatment to address your pet’s periodontal disease. To date this year we have performed over fifty anesthetized dental procedures, and have one month remaining in our big push for your pet’s dental health.

Contact us today at (970) 330-7283 to learn more about our at home starter kit
or to discuss your pet’s dental health. 

Click here to read more about AAHA Dental Care Guidelines

Holiday Tips for Protecting Your Pet

Holiday Tips for Protecting Your Pet

 'Tis the season when it starts getting colder, and the holiday spirit is in the air. Here are some tips for making this a healthy and happy time for you and your pets.

HOUSING: Make sure your pet is protected from the weather. If your pet is an indoor pet, make sure they have a warm, draft free place to sleep, preferably elevated slightly off the floor. If your pet is outside, a warm insulated pet house or shelter is recommended. The house should be elevated so moisture cannot accumulate inside. Provide a small opening covered with canvas to block out winter winds. If the wind chill or weather conditions become too severe, please bring your pets inside.

FROSTBITE: Remove ice and snow from your pet's paws and coat at once. Frostbite can look reddish, white, or gray and the skin may appear scaly. If you think your pet has frostbite, take him/her to a warm place immediately. Apply warm, moist towels...  (read more)

For some some great ways to include your pets in your holiday memory-making, click here.

Keeping Your Pet's Mouth Healthy, Dental Grades

These figures depict how the doctors grade your pet's teeth.

Periodontal Disease and Its Treatment, Part I

PART I: What is it?

We’ve all heard the term Periodontal Disease, but do you know what it really is and how it forms?
Periodontal literally means “around the tooth”; periodontal disease, then, is infection and inflammation of the gums, ligaments, and bones surrounding the teeth.  Gingivitis is the less severe form; if left untreated it progresses into periodontitis and tooth loss.

It all starts with a sticky substance called plaque which is made up of saliva, bacteria and tiny bits of food.  Plaque is easily removed through brushing and flossing.  Areas of plaque that are left on teeth eventually harden into tartar; once formed, tartar can only be removed with ultrasonic tools and special instruments during a dental cleaning.  To further exacerbate the situation, tartar has a rough outer surface to which even more bacteria likes to attach.  This buildup irritates and inflames the gum, causing a pocket with ideal conditions for-- you guessed it-- even MORE bacteria and tartar.  Thus, a vicious cycle forms of bacteria accumulation and additional inflammation until eventually the result is tooth and bone loss.  On top of the risk of tooth loss, bacteria can separate and travel through the bloodstream to the liver, heart, and/or the kidneys.

Knowing our pets can’t brush their teeth and remove plaque, it is easy to see how animals’ mouths are so susceptible to disease!

Feline Odontoclastic Resorptive Lesions

Our beloved cats (and some dogs, too!) commonly fall victim to Feline Odontoclastic Resorptive Lesions (aka FORLs or, simply, Resorptive Lesions).  These cannot be prevented, meaning that (1) if your cat gets them, you are not guilty in any way, and (2) cats must receive dentals performed by a veterinarian regardless of how well their teeth are cared for.

Resorptive Lesions originate in the cementum which covers the root of the tooth.  They work their way to the pulp, then move either down or up the inside of the tooth; sometimes going both directions at once.  By the time any external signs are visible, your pet’s tooth already has a painful end-stage lesion.  Signs that your cat has a lesion which has progressed to the crown include: not eating, eating only soft items, general malaise, and drooling.

Diagnosing a Resorptive Lesion requires both oral radiographs and dental probing- both of which can only be performed while the cat is under anesthesia.  In every one of our comprehensive dental exams, a veterinarian probes the gums and gets full-mouth x-rays to ensure all issues, even those under the gums, are discovered.

If a Resorptive Lesion exists in a tooth, that tooth must be extracted.  Treatment following an extraction includes pain management and antibiotics.  Your cat will need to come back in for the DVM to monitor healing.  Unfortunately, any cat that has had one Resorptive Lesion is likely to have subsequent lesions.

Of course, we all would prefer to completely prevent any chance of pain in our furry friends but the good news is that, with careful treatment by a licensed DVM, Resorptive Lesions are completely treatable!

Be thankful AND vigilant for an emergency-free Thanksgiving

We all have things for which to be thankful, but allow us to give you one more this year: thankful for NOT having to make an urgent care visit to your local veterinarian!

As far as animal safety goes on Thanksgiving, the food reigns supreme:

• The more obvious culprit, of course, are the turkey/ chicken/ ham (even steak) bones. Not only can they get lodged in the throat, stomach and even the intestinal tract, they can also puncture your dog insides.
• Fatty or rich foods- poultry skins, gravy, fatty meat, etc.- can, at the least, cause intestinal distress and may even lead to pancreatitis, a serious inflammation of the pancreas or intestine.
• By now, everyone has heard that chocolate can be toxic to our dogs, but a less-known fact is that xylitol (a common sugar substitute) is even more dangerous. To be safe, keep all sweets up out of your pets' reach. Other foods on the not-allowed list are onions and garlic, grapes and raisins, and macadamia nuts; all of these can be toxic to our pets.

It would also be good to keep in mind the fact that lots of visitors can be stressful to your pets, as well. To avoid this, you can create a safe haven for them or even board them in a facility.

All of us at West Ridge Animal Hospital wish you and yours a peaceful, playful, happy Thanksgiving!

And no offense, but we hope we don't see you first thing Friday morning for an urgent care visit...

AAHA Standards: DE02c

In the days leading up to this year's accreditation renewal with the American Animal Hospital Association, we will be highlighting some of the standards we must uphold.  Here's today's:

"DE02c: Dental services provided include Radiography"

Here at West Ridge, our dental services don't just "include" radiography, we take full mouth radiographs on every dental procedure.  Why?  Teeth are very similar to icebergs in that the majority of the tooth is hidden under the surface of the gum.  It is not uncommon to go into what looks like a routine procedure, only to find through x-rays that a root is bad and must be extracted.  Not only would a diseased tooth root be extremely painful, but the inflammation and bacteria involved can also cause many issues throughout the body.

Skunk rabies confirmed in Weld County

Skunk rabies has been confirmed in Weld County earlier this month. While bat rabies has been in our area for awhile, terrestrial wildlife with rabies is more of a concern due to increased potential for exposure to pets and other domestic animals. The Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment lists the following as ways to prevent exposure to rabies:

• Do not feed, touch or handle wild animals and be cautious of stray dogs and cats
• Teach children to leave wildlife alone and tell you when they have been bitten or scratched
• Have dogs, cats, horses, and livestock vaccinated regularly by your veterinarian
• Maintain control of pets by keeping them indoors and under supervision
• Spay or neuter pets to reduce the number of unwanted or stray animals in the neighborhood
• Call local animal control to remove stray animals from the neighborhood
• Keep trash bins tightly closed and do not leave pet food outdoors

Be especially wary of any wildlife that acts out of the norm, i.e. nocturnal animals out at daytime or wild animals seeming to be tame. These signs can point to illness.

For more information:
Weld County Press Release
Colorado State rabies brochure

Keeping Your Pet's Mouth Healthy, Part 3

As seen in this picture, Bhaer presented to us with a Dental Grade 3 mouth on the morning of January 12th, 2012.
Before doing any treatments, the veterinarian will perform a pre-surgical exam, including bloodwork, to ensure the animal is healthy. Pre-anesthetic medication is given to make the patient sleepy then we intubate him/her.

Doing this allows us:
• unlimited access to the mouth,
• the ability to perform all the actions necessary during the procedure,
• to prevent any fluid and bacteria (loosened from the teeth) from
going in to the lungs,
• to keep our patient pain-free throughout the entire procedure by
utilizing inhalant anesthesia.

While anesthetized, all patients are closely monitored; we watch their temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, ECG tracing, respirations, blood-oxygen saturation, and carbon dioxide levels. We also place a catheter and administer fluids.

Here, you see our technician scaling Bhaer’s teeth to remove the plaque and tartar.

As you can see, we need to reach far into the mouth to get to all the teeth. Can you imagine your pet sitting still and permitting a technician do this while awake??

Then we progress to probing the gums. This tells us about the health of the gingiva; we measure pocket depth and furcation (the space between the roots). This is another action that patients do not allow if they are awake for the dental.

Once that is finished, the mouth is sprayed and cleaned out, then each tooth is polished. Aside from making the teeth pearly-pretty the polish serves to smooth the tooth surface, removing any divots where bacteria can adhere.

Every dental prophylactic procedure here at West Ridge Animal Hospital includes full-mouth digital dental radiographs. Teeth are a little like icebergs in that so much of them is hidden under the gums. Radiographs allow the veterinarian to see the roots and pinpoint any previously undetected issues. It is not uncommon for pets to present with what seems to be a good dental grade, only to find problems lurking in the roots.

Finally, the veterinarian checks over the entire mouth, assessing the teeth and performing any necessary extractions, mass removals, or other oral surgery. Bhaer, fortunately, did not require any of these procedures.

See the difference a dental prophylactic procedure makes!

Please note: You may notice the shape and color change to B's upper fang. This was from years of cage chewing before he was adopted. The brown color change is not 'dirt' or 'stain" but restorative dentin. When worn down slowly the tooth tries to heal and protect itself from invasion of the pulp chamber by putting a layer of thicker dentin over the chamber. In Baher's case, the radiographs and dental probing confirmed that the crown was intact and safe. We see similar changes in dogs who fetch tennis balls year after year.

Keeping Your Pet's Mouth Healthy, Part 1

So many people think of dental care for their pet as tedious and unnecessary, but if one thinks about it one will realize just how disgusting a mouth can get if not brushed and cleaned regularly. Shoot, if I forget to brush my teeth just one morning, I feel gross all day- I can only imagine what our pets feel like! Even more than that, though, is the fact that good dental health lends itself to better overall health as well. Dental disease can lead to issues with the kidneys, lungs and even the heart. So now we’ve established the WHY on dental health, but HOW does one go about it?

Starting when your pet is just a puppy/ kitten, your veterinarian will want to inspect the teeth. He/ she will be checking for problems with the deciduous (baby) teeth, placement of teeth, and looking for any abnormalities or swelling in the mouth. This is a great time to ask your doctor to demonstrate proper teeth-brushing technique. If started at an early age, your pet will accept it more readily, making it easier on everyone to maintain good dental health in the years to come. West Ridge Animal Hospital carries a variety of animal-specific toothbrushes, toothpastes, and oral rinses to better accommodate each household and their pets. Please note: it is not safe to use human toothpaste on a pet, it could cause poisoning from the fluoride since animals don’t spit and rinse.

At each wellness examination, your vet will again look in the mouth and inform you of your pet’s dental “grade”. Don’t worry, they’re not grading your ability or skill; all animals have different dispositions when it comes to their mouths, just as we humans do. This number, 1 through 4, refers to the amount of plaque and tartar, and signifies whether periodontal disease is present and, if so, its severity. This creates a consistent chart for all doctors who might see your pet.

Stay tuned for further posts regarding dental health….

TOXIN EXPOSURES IN PETS- DON’T TAKE A HOLIDAY

With the holidays rapidly approaching, it is a time of year to be especially careful about the possibility of toxin exposures occurring with your pet. Some common toxicities seen this time of year include chocolate and sugarless gum (xylitol) ingestion, ingestion of prescription or cold medication, inadvertent ingestion of large amounts of high fat foods or bones (especially poultry or rib bones), alcohol ingestion, ingestion of poisonous plants, exposure to rat or mouse bait, and ingestion of holiday decorations.

In order to most effectively treat a toxin exposure in your pet, it is best to be prepared BEFORE a potentially dangerous or life-threatening situation occurs. You can do this by having the following ready in advance:

• Your veterinarian’s phone number and office hours, and the phone number of an after-hours facility for emergencies

• The phone number of a pet poisoning helpline

• The breed, weight and age of your pet

If you are concerned that your pet has ingested a toxin, first, remove the pet to prevent any additional ingestion – i.e. take the pet from the room and clean up any vomit (save it in paper towels). NEVER try to induce vomiting at home. This can be exactly the wrong thing to do if the toxin is caustic, and can cause aspiration of the vomitus into the lungs in certain breeds. In addition, administration of substances such as hydrogen peroxide, salt or ipecac can lead to dangerous side effects of their own, including changes in the pH of the blood, salt toxicity, and hemorrhagic enteritis (bloody diarrhea) and ulcers.

When calling your veterinarian for advice, listen closely to what the staff member tells you and write it down. Remember, you may be in a highly stressed, emotional state of mind, but your pets’ well-being depends upon you being able to react in a calm manner. Be prepared to tell your veterinarian the following:

• What exactly did your pet eat?

• Confirm the active ingredient on the packaging if possible and SPELL IT, including any letters after the name (for example, Claritin is not toxic in small amounts, but Claritin D, which contains pseudoephedrine, is highly toxic to pets)

• If your pet ate a plant, try to identify it by the common and/or scientific names

• How long ago did your pet eat the toxin?

• Is your pet showing any abnormal signs – vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, etc.?

• What breed is your animal and how much does it animal weigh – even approximately?

• How old is your animal?

• Have any home remedies been given?

• Try to quantify the amount ingested – even minimum/maximum amounts and estimates will help

• If your pet has ingested a human prescription medication and you are unsure as to the number of tablets, you will need to call your pharmacy and ask:

-when the medication was last refilled
-the number of pills in the refill
-the dose that is taken daily
-you, or your veterinarian, can then calculate how many pills your pet possibly
ingested

• Bring the package/pill/plant and even the vomitus with you to your appointment at the veterinarian’s office. If possible, have another person drive so that you can monitor your pet on the way to the hospital.

Make every effort to prevent to prevent toxin exposures form occurring in your pets – especially during the winter, when risks are higher. Being prepared for a toxin exposure in your pet can make a world of difference in its prognosis.


-Dr. Debra Singleton
West Ridge Animal Hospital

Medical Massage And Its Benefits

Anyone who has had a massage knows the wonderful benefits that come with it. But even beside the relaxation and peace it affords, there are actual medical benefits as well. Massage:
• increases gastrointestinal motility to prevent or relieve constipation,
• reduces back and belly pain,
• lessens anxiety, and
• improves circulation and lymphatic drainage, which carries bacteria to lymph nodes to be destroyed.

One of the most advantageous circumstances for massage is post-operatively. It is easy to overlook the fact that lying on a steel operating table leaves one’s muscles stiff and sore; animals receiving a prophylactic dental are even more prone to stiffness due to the way their heads are positioned during the procedure. To alleviate this side effect, we offer optional post-operative massages. Other situations in which massage is helpful include:
• stressful times,
• after hunting or extensive exercise,
• when a dog is constipated,
• active dogs who are boarded and not able to get their usual exercise,
• relief for muscles sore from compensating for an injury to a limb, and
• comfort for senior dogs or those suffering from arthritis, spondylosis, or hip dysplasia.

For those whose dogs would benefit, we suggest scheduling an appointment for a massage with either Nikki or Aurora (both Certified Veterinary Technicians). These two gals recently had the opportunity to attend a Medical Massage continuing education course through Colorado State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. This course was taught by Dr. Narda Robinson, the “country’s leading authority on scientific complementary and alternative veterinary medicine (CAVM)” (Colorado Veterinary Medical Association).

We strongly believe in the power of massage and look forward to assisting your canine companions!

Halloween Dangers

While such a fun holiday, Halloween also brings with it many possible dangers for our pets that many of us probably don’t even realize:

- Most people know that chocolate (especially dark) can be toxic to dogs, but were you aware that sugar-free candies and gum are even more so? To be safe, please keep both the candy bowl and your childrens’ stashes out of your pets’ reach.

- Pumpkins with lit candles can be knocked over, which risks more than just your pet- and curious kittens in particular may get burned by them.

- Having so many strange people (especially when dressed up for Halloween!) can be stressful for all but the most social dogs. It is best to keep pets in a separate room during peak trick-or-treat hours.

- The ASPCA recommends keeping all dogs out of the front yard, and keeping cats (particularly black ones) indoors, due to the chance of injuries.

- As terribly cute as costumes can be on our pets, they can also pose dangers. Please only put them on your pets when you are there to supervise them. Also choose costumes that do not have bells or other items that are loose or dangle; some dogs may ingest these, possibly causing choking.

Since accidents do happen, even to the most vigilant animal owners, West Ridge Animal Hospital is here to help with urgent care visits and emergencies every weekday until 9, Saturdays until 5, and Sundays 9 to 1. Our number is: 970-330-7283. If you have an emergency after our hours, please contact P.E.T.S. Emergency Service at 970-339-8700.

Have a safe, fun Halloween everyone!

World Rabies Day

Today is World Rabies Day, an initiative to raise awareness about rabies. Many of us think of rabies as only a wildlife problem, or as an issue that is well controlled and not in need of attention. NOT SO. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association:

Rabies remains a major concern worldwide, killing more than 55,000 people every year. In the United States, one to two people die annually, and there were more than 6,100 reported cases of animal rabies in the U.S. in 2010.

It is important to note that rabies is fatal, unless a series of prophylactic injections are administered in time. Rabies may not be treatable, but it IS preventable. To do so, please vaccinate your pets (feline, canine, and ferret) and keep them away from all wildlife. It is also important to avoid wildlife yourself and to educate your children to do so as well- especially wild animals who appear ill or are not afraid of humans.

Our doctors here at West Ridge Animal Hospital are passionate about preventing rabies and other diseases for which we have vaccines. We understand that it is easy to lose track of when your pets are due, so we send out reminders. Another way to keep on top of vaccines is to create a personal Pet Portal through our website. With a Pet Portal, you are able to see your pets' vaccine records, current medications, and you can even request appointments and refills! Of course, we are always happy to answer any questions you have; we can be reached at 970-330-7283 and via e-mail at frontdesk@wrah.net.

Pet Emergency Preparedness

With the hurricanes, wild fires, and anniversary of 9/11, it seems emergency preparedness is on everyone’s mind. The CVMA (Colorado Veterinary Medical Association) recently recommended the following website be distributed to the general public. It is a collection of educational webinars regarding dealing with disasters. Of particular interest to us, of course, is the Pet Emergency Preparedness webinar. Just to give you a heads up- the webinar, in its entirety, is an hour long. However, there is a very informative video for animal owners just two minutes in; please at least watch this segment. It reminds us of all the items animals may require in the case of an evacuation, as well as points out what actions are best in an emergency. For example, if one saw horses in a corral, that person may want to open the gate and release them. However, those horses are likely microchipped and registered to be at that address; making their rescue much quicker. There may also be an unknown public health issue if numerous animals are released.

It is comforting to know that Weld County has its own local Animal Response Team (as discussed in a recent post), but it is also important to educate ourselves as individuals. In the case of a disaster, the reactions and helpful efforts of the citizens is crucial. To this end, the FEMA website has many free webinars concerning all aspects of emergency preparedness, as well as connections to federal and local councils, that may be of interest to you.

High temperatures dangerous for our pets

With outdoor temperatures steadily rising; it's time to remind everyone of the dangers posed by heat stroke...

We all know how uncomfortable we can get in the heat, but even so, we sometimes forget that dogs may hit this point, and worse, long before we humans do. After all, dogs are not only wearing a fur coat, but their bodies handle heat differently than ours. Instead of all-over sweating to cool themselves, dogs must rely on panting and sweating from their paws and nose only.

Hyperthermia (also known as heat stroke) is a serious issue that, if not caught in time, can cause irreversible damage to organs and possibly even death. While the best way to determine hyperthermia is through the use of a rectal thermometer (anything above 104), owners must be ever-vigilant in watching for these signs:
- Vigorous panting
- Tacky or dry mucous membranes (gums)
- Dark red or purple gums
- Restlessness/ pacing
- Excessive drooling
- Unsteadiness/ dizziness
- Disorientation
- Lethargy/ unwillingness to move

As soon as you notice any of these symptoms, it is important to move your pet to a shady, cool location and direct a fan on him/her. To help speed cooling, you can place cool wet cloths on him/her; the most efficient areas would the back of the neck, armpits, feet, and groin. Then call or transport your pet to your veterinarian immediately.

Contrary to what one might think, do not use cold water or ice, but instead use tepid tap water. Make sure a bowl of cool water is available for your dog; but do NOT force water into your pet's mouth, as your dog may inhale it accidentally.

Of course, the best way to "treat" hyperthermia is to prevent it in the first place. Some situations that can cause hyperthermia include:
- Leaving pets outside on a hot day without shade and water
- Leaving pets (or any living thing) in a vehicle without adequate ventilation, even on a temperate day
- Exercising in the heat.

Please have a safe, fun, not-too-hot summer!

Consumer Lab

Because the FDA does not currently test or regulate nutritional supplements, an independent lab, Consumer Lab has taken on the responsibility of keeping the public informed. It is surprising just how many nutraceuticals do not contain the level of active ingredients listed on the label. There is a small fee, but it is worth it when you think of all the supplements you buy without knowing their safety or efficacy. Check yours out today!

Just how old is YOUR pet?

Use this chart to determine just how old YOUR pet is; you might be surprised...