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MPV Newsletter August/September 2019 p
In this issue Immunizations: required & recommended
What does “holistic” mean? Daycare Photo Contest Winner
Recognizing Pet Pain Bird Care
Tips for a Good Dog Walk
August
September
2019
www.millpondvetclinic.com
215-536-4443
MPV Newsletter August/September 2019 p2
Immunizations play a crucial role in the healthcare
of your pets. Diseases like rabies, distemper, lyme,
and many others can be prevented with a simple
vaccine, administered every 1 to 3 years
(depending upon the disease). Several of these
diseases are zoonotic, which means you can get
them from your pets. Rabies, a deadly neurologi-
cal disease, is the most well-known of these, and
the vaccine is required by law.
The following vaccines are recommended for
each species:
Dogs
Rabies
DHLPP
• Distemper
• Hepatitis
• Leptospirosis (annual)
• Parvovirus
• Parainfluenza
Lyme
Bordetella** annual
Canine Influenza** annual ** Recommended for dogs who go to daycare, dog parks, or are otherwise around other dogs.
Cats
Rabies
FVRCP
• Rhinotracheitis
• Calicivirus
• Panleukopenia
Feline Leukemia
Other Species that are recommended to have
the Rabies vaccine, or for whom it may be re-
quired for show/exhibition:
Ferrets Horses
Cattle Sheep
MPV Newsletter August/September 2019 p3
Holistic Medicine is all the rage right now. What is it?
How long has it been around? Does it make sense?
Holistic Medicine is the practice of treating the
whole person (or pet!), taking into account mental
and social factors, rather than just the symptoms of a
disease.
It’s not a type of medication, but a way of providing
medical care. In other words, holistics means looking
at the whole body, whole person, whole life
situation, and digging deeply to find the way to best
help the patient.
There are three ancient medical traditions in holistic
health:
Ayurveda – the ancient medical tradition of India.
Ayurveda traces its origins to a text written by
Sushruta, the “father of Surgery,” in the 6th century
B.C. Using a system of eight treatment
disciplines, Ayurvedic holistic health
practitioners guide their patients to balance and
moderation.
Herbal medicine – emphasizes holistic balance and
is the oldest form of health care known to man-
kind. Indigenous people all over the world and
throughout history have drawn on the medicinal
properties of plants. Herbalism is a critical element
of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda.
Western herbalism – originated in ancient Greece
and Rome, then spread throughout the rest of
Europe and eventually to North and South
America, focusing on the medicinal attributes of
plants and herbs.
Holistics and Modern Medicine
The discovery of germs and antibiotics in the 19th
century led the western world to focus on interven-
tion vs whole body support. We are currently in the
process of developing a more balanced approach,
combining varied methods of intervention for issues
that have developed with whole body support to
prevent issues from developing.
MPV Newsletter August/September 2019 p4
None of us wants our pets to be in pain, regardless of the reason. Unfortunately, for both veterinary profes-
sionals and pet owners, the ability to recognize pain is limited because dogs, cats, rabbits and other ani-
mals often mask overt signs of discomfort. Untreated pain may be indirectly demonstrated by weight loss,
change in eating habits, lethargy, and change in behavior, and reluctance to engage in the human–
animal bond.
Pain is both a condition and a symptom. It needs to be dealt with in its own right, and the underlying cause
needs to be discovered and dealt with. Sometimes, it’s a chronic issue that needs continued pain man-
agement (ie: arthritis).
Here are some of the things to watch for:
QuickTakes Know the Signs
Find the Source
Deal with the issues
Behavior Change in normal behavior or development of new behaviors (hiding, avoidance)
Activity Less general activity Reduced social interaction Unwillingness to play Hesitation or unwilling to go up/down stairs
Potty Habits Less frequent defecation House soiling Difficulty accessing litter box
Grooming Decreased self-grooming, matted fur Overgrooming or licking of painful areas
Posture Difficulty standing Hunched, lowered head Sitting or lying differently/abnormally Body language or facial expression indicating discomfort
Response to handling Avoidance of manipulation during exam Aversion to petting or grooming Vocalization when painful area is touched
Pain-response actions Scooting, licking or chewing painful area Aggression or irritability when approached or touched Difficulty finding comfortable position
Mobility Limping, bilateral stiffness, gait abnormalities Difficulty standing, walking, taking stairs or getting up Diminished running and jumping Reluctance to walk on slippery surfaces
Vocalization Whimpering, yelping or hissing when painful area touched or manipulated Decreased greetings
Sleeping Habits Disruption in sleep patterns Constant shifting to change limb and joint angles
Facial Expression (acute
pain)
Ears drawn back Brow furrowed Lips drawn back Squinting
MPV Newsletter August/September 2019 p5
It's not true that pet birds are easier to take care
of than dogs and most cats. A cage for a para-
keet doesn't take up much room, but an
adequate macaw cage can take up most of your
living room, and ideally a cage should only be
viewed as a bird's bedroom (like a dog crate);
birds needs a lot of exercise outside of a cage.
A bird, more than any other type of pet, requires
you to make some changes in your life. As a result,
far too many people wind up relinquishing their
birds. Here are ten things you should know about
keeping a bird as a pet.
Birds can live a looong time! Be prepared for a
lifetime commitment with some species.
Birds like to wake with the sunrise, bright & early.
Birds have a very sensitive respiratory system.
Scents that can make your bird ill, or even kill
him, include: cigarette smoke (even on your
hands after you smoked), chemical cleaners,
the odorless fumes from non-stick cookware.
Air Fresheners, Scented Oils & Candles.
Birds require special diets, with research for
your bird’s particular requirements.
A Bird Can Be a Noisy Pet. A bird chirps,
tweets, and chatters all day long.
Birds Aren’t Social Pets, But They Can Be. A
bird is not a domesticated pet. It will take a lot
of work as you handle your bird and socialize
her in order to finally get her to view you as a
friend.
A Bird Needs to Be Monitored When Out of Her
Cage. She can damage everything from your
curtains to your couch and pillows - and any-
thing else she can get her beak on.
Daily cage cleaning is a chore, plus you'll end
up having to wash the walls and floors around
the cage regularly.
Birds require a tremendous amount of environ-
mental enrichment to prevent boredom and
destructive behaviors (which can manifest as
behavior problems or physically self-destructive
behaviors). Toys, training sessions, and playtime
with you are essential.
Be sure to talk
to your vet
about avian
first aid for
some of the
most common
emergencies
such as
bleeding,
animal bites,
burns,
fractures,
seizures, and
respiratory
distress
Keep a first aid
kit on hand.
Photos are rescued birds at AJ’s Monkeys & Sloths in Hondorus, February 2019
MPV Newsletter August/September 2019 p6
Veterinary Care by Appointment Only
Medical & Wellness Surgery Dental
Diagnostic Imaging PennHip Testing
2255 Mill Pond Road, Quakertown, PA 18951 215.536.4443 [email protected] www.millpondvetclinic.com
Small Animal Rehab by Appointment Only
Exercise, Massage Underwater Treadmill
Stem Cell Therapy
Chiropractic Care & more!
Boarding by Appointment Only
Drop-off/Pick up
Mon - Sat 9:00 - 12 noon or
3:00-6:00 pm
Sun 4:00 - 6:00 pm
Training by Appointment Only
Puppy Training
Private Lessons Group Obedience Classes
Agility Training
Daycare by Appointment Only
Mon-Sat 8:00 am-6:00 pm
Walking your dog can be a relaxing, enjoyable activity for both of you!
Begin with Good, Consistent Training. Your dog will be happier if he knows what is expected, and you will
be happier if he’s not pulling you down the sidewalk. Begin your walk in calm state
Don’t open the door or leave the house until dog is calmly sitting.
Go through the door before your dog.
Controlled Walks: Your dog walking calmly on loose leash by your side, not out in front/pulling. (The
use of a controlled walk provides leadership, safety, and comfort to a dog. A walk with the dog
reacting, overly excited, out in front, pulling … does not help a dog achieve or maintain stability)
Always Ask Before allowing your dog to approach a person or another dog. Sometimes they say no
because their dog is protective and they don’t want your dog to get hurt.
Make sure your dog is comfortable before allowing someone or another dog to approach. Pay attention
to your dog’s body language: Tail wagging? Cringing? Relaxed? Stressed?
Request others to abide by your dog rules, such as waiting until your pup sits to reward her with petting
(which is a great way to help keep your dog from jumping on people).
When you get a chance, and if your dog is behaving well, relax and enjoy a long walk. Give your dog time
for important canine activities, such as bathroom breaks and sniffing to see who’s been around. Walks can
also be a good time for bonding with your dog, as you enjoy meandering around the neighborhood park
together.
At Mill Pond, we offer puppy and private training year round, and group classes in the spring, summer and
fall. Until you’re able to start officially training, be consistent and calm. Everyone should be using the same
commands, or your pup will be confused over what is expected.
Advanced
Class Trip to the
Bethlehem
Steel Stacks
August 2019