“We will strive to provide high quality care, and medical information for our clients and their pets by

making their concerns our top priority.”

N4415 A Hwy 45 Eden, WI 53019

(920) 477-3003

www.countryhillspets.com

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2

Congratulations!

On the new addition to your family.

We understand that bringing a new pet into your life can be both exciting and stressful. We are here to help! Like you, we want your pet to live a happy and healthy pet. This includes vaccines, spaying or neutering, routine annual and bi-annual health visits and any health concerns along the way, all in conjunction with excellent home care and nutrition.

Depending on the age of your pet and his or her medical history, (s)he may need to receive the entire vaccine series or just one or two vaccines to complete the core series. Wherever (s)he is we will ensure your pet is set up on the appropriate vaccination schedule. If your pet is sick or not feeling well at any time, please let the doctors know so they can proceed accordingly.

We present a lot of information in your first appointment relating to services and products available to keep your puppy/dog healthy, including heartworm prevention, flea and tick control, training, housetraining and socialization, diet, and dental hygiene. We know it’s a lot of information and have created this book as a resource for you to understand what we do and why.

We are very excited to meet you and your new family member and be a part of your life!

The Doctors and Health Care Team at Country Hills Pet Hospital

When quality medical care matters, clients take their pets to AAHA accredited hospitals. There are 3,000 accredited hospitals in North America, and Country Hills Pet Hospital is one of them.

Superior care is clearly a priority for you and your family, so it should be reassuring to know that our hospital made the grade. We continually exceed rigorous reviews that include more than 900 standards created by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) which evaluate quality care and client service.

AAHA accreditation is a trusted sign of excellence. It shows that veterinary professionals are

knowledgeable, equipment is well maintained and updated, medical procedures are cutting-edge, and facilities deliver high quality veterinary care.

To maintain accredited status, we voluntarily undergo comprehensive on-site evaluations about every three years.

AAHA accreditation keeps us at the front of the veterinary pack. We are dedicated to providing your pet with the best health care possible.

Take pride in the knowledge that your pets are in great hands.

AAHA Accreditation Counts

3

Physical Exam

A physical exam is completed each time you see the veterinarian This is a nose to tail exam of your pet.

The doctor will:

• inspect the ears, eyes, nose, mouth, teeth, gums, trunk, legs and paws

• take a temperature, pulse rate and respiratory rate

• listen for any heart or lung abnormalities

• examine the abdomen by palpating the internal organs

• check the skin and perianal area for any sign of disease, parasites or discharge

The physical exam can alert the doctor to any congenital defects or causes of concern.

Immunizations

After birth a puppy will receive immunoglobulins through its mother’s milk, however this immunity does not last long. It takes time for a puppy’s immune system to mature, which is why a puppy receives a series of vaccinations between 8-16 weeks of age and then boosters a year later, followed by annual boosters as a adult. These vaccines protect your pet from potential life threatening diseases.

A COMBINATION VACCINE TO PROTECT AGAINST:

Distemper: A highly contagious airborne viral disease that attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal and nervous system. Distemper usually terminates in convulsions or death.

Adenovirus: A highly infectious airborne virus affecting the respiratory system, and one of the causes of tracheobronchitis, also known as kennel cough. The vaccine also protects against the hepatitis virus type 1 and 2, which can be fatal diseases that attack the liver.

Parainfluenza: A contagious airborne virus which produces a respiratory tract infection, also one of the causes of tracheobronchitis.

Parvovirus: A highly infectious disease, potentially fatal that is spread through ingestion of contaminated feces. The virus predominantly affects the intestines and white blood cells.

This is a combination vaccine administered at 3-4 week intervals with the first given at 8-10 weeks old. The second is given at 10-12 weeks and the third at 12-15 weeks of age.

Rabies Vaccine – Required by Law One vaccine is given between 12-16 weeks old and a booster is given one year later. Then again every three years thereafter to maintain immunity.

Rabies: A deadly virus transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal. In North America this could be a skunk, raccoon, bat or any number of infected mammalian vectors. Rabies exposure does pose a significant health risk to humans.

TIP: To ensure you and your pet have great visits at the vet, play with their ears, mouth and paws every day. Allowing others to handle your pet in the same way will increase their comfort level.

3

Physical Exam

A physical exam is completed each time you see the veterinarian This is a nose to tail exam of your pet.

The doctor will:

• inspect the ears, eyes, nose, mouth, teeth, gums, trunk, legs and paws

• take a temperature, pulse rate and respiratory rate

• listen for any heart or lung abnormalities

• examine the abdomen by palpating the internal organs

• check the skin and perianal area for any sign of disease, parasites or discharge

The physical exam can alert the doctor to any congenital defects or causes of concern.

Immunizations

After birth a puppy will receive immunoglobulins through its mother’s milk, however this immunity does not last long. It takes time for a puppy’s immune system to mature, which is why a puppy receives a series of vaccinations between 8-16 weeks of age and then boosters a year later, followed by annual boosters as a adult. These vaccines protect your pet from potential life threatening diseases.

A COMBINATION VACCINE TO PROTECT AGAINST:

Distemper: A highly contagious airborne viral disease that attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal and nervous system. Distemper usually terminates in convulsions or death.

Adenovirus: A highly infectious airborne virus affecting the respiratory system, and one of the causes of tracheobronchitis, also known as kennel cough. The vaccine also protects against the hepatitis virus type 1 and 2, which can be fatal diseases that attack the liver.

Parainfluenza: A contagious airborne virus which produces a respiratory tract infection, also one of the causes of tracheobronchitis.

Parvovirus: A highly infectious disease, potentially fatal that is spread through ingestion of contaminated feces. The virus predominantly affects the intestines and white blood cells.

This is a combination vaccine administered at 3-4 week intervals with the first given at 8-10 weeks old. The second is given at 10-12 weeks and the third at 12-15 weeks of age.

Rabies Vaccine – Required by Law One vaccine is given between 12-16 weeks old and a booster is given one year later. Then again every three years thereafter to maintain immunity.

Rabies: A deadly virus transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal. In North America this could be a skunk, raccoon, bat or any number of infected mammalian vectors. Rabies exposure does pose a significant health risk to humans.

TIP: To ensure you and your pet have great visits at the vet, play with their ears, mouth and paws every day. Allowing others to handle your pet in the same way will increase their comfort level.

4

Bordetella VaccineThe first vaccine is typically administered intra-nasally around 11 weeks, the second vaccine is given 3 weeks later as an injection. A booster vaccine is given yearly to assist in the maintenance of immunity. Some boarding/daycare and grooming facilities require Bordetella boosters every 6 months.

Bordetella: A highly contagious airborne bacterial infection of the upper respiratory tract, and the significant component of tracheobronchitis. Other components are the Adenovirus-2 and the parainfluenza previously mentioned. Tracheobronchitis generally presents with an on-going dry, harsh, hacking cough and is commonly known as kennel cough.

Additional VaccinationsThe veterinarian may recommend these additional vaccinations depending on the lifestyle of your pet.

Lyme Disease: A bacterial disease transmitted through the bite of a tick infected with the Borrelia bacteria. Lyme Disease can cause limping, swollen lymph nodes, joint and muscular pain, loss of appetite, weight loss, fever and in extreme cases can affect the kidneys and nervous system. It can take anywhere from one month to one year for symptoms to appear after a bite by an infected tick. If you plan to take your pet to a heavily wooded area or high tick area talk to your veterinarian about the Lyme vaccine or other preventative measures available. Lyme disease is a zoonotic disease, which means it can be transmitted to people.

Leptospirosis: A bacterial disease often leading to liver or kidney failure. The disease is carried by rodents, “carrier” dogs or other wildlife and is transmitted through infected urine. If you plan to take your pet swimming in streams, lakes or other bodies of standing water, talk to your veterinarian about the Leptospirosis vaccine. Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease, which means it can be transferred to people.

Antibody Titers

If vaccine use is restricted because of your pet’s health, after two years of age we are able to run antibody titers to help prevent over-vaccinating your pet. These are blood tests that measure the amount of antibodies to a particular disease in the blood. If the titer shows a low level of immunity, added protection is necessary, and we will administer a booster vaccination. Protective titer levels indicate average response to the vaccination, not the level of protection.

MAX’S VET ISCOUNTRY HILLSPET HOSPITAL920-477-3003

“MAX”ANDY KOPP

920-999-12341234 ANY ST

EDEN, WI

PET SAFETY TIP: Add our phone number or the phone number of a friend to the BACKSIDE of your pet’s ID Tag. If injured or lost and the person finding your pet is unable to contact you they can call your friend or our hospital. Always have a current tag on your pet.

6

Single-cell organisms –

Coccidia: A microscopic parasite affecting the intestine. It can cause severe watery diarrhea, dehydration, abdominal distress and vomiting. Infection is spread through the ingestion of cysts found in the feces of an infected dog. A coccidia diagnosis is made from performing a microscopic examination of the feces. Some strains of coccidia can be transferred to people. Giardia: A parasitic infection affecting the small intestine. It can cause mucousy diarrhea. Infection is spread though ingesting the cyst form of the parasite from infected fecal matter of other dogs. Giardia requires a special fecal test, and can be hard to treat. In some instances your pet may need multiple courses of treatment. Giardia is a zoonotic disease, which means it can be transferred to people.

Fecal ExaminationA fecal exam is a microscopic assessment of feces used to detect the presence of a number of parasites. If a test is positive for a parasitic infection, your veterinarian will start your pet on a course of medication. To determine if the treatment was effective we will retest the feces at the end of the course of medication. Fecal exams are recommended twice per year as part of the annual or bi-annual health check and anytime your pet has on-going diarrhea or soft stools.

According to the Companion Animal Parasite Council, “Veterinarians should conduct fecal examinations two to four times a year in adult pets, depending on patient health and lifestyle factors, and treat with appropriate medications.”

DewormerOften used to treat some of the more common parasites. A dewormer can be given at the time of the appointment and consequently again in 14 days later as directed by your veterinarian. This follows the lifecycle of the parasite. The first treatment will treat parasites currently in the adult stage, and the second treatment will treat parasites that have developed into the adult stage.

What is a zoonotic disease?Zoonoses, or zoonotic diseases, are those diseases that can be transmitted directly or indirectly from animals to humans.

- Companion Animal Parasite Council

Reducing risks for your family

You can reduce the risk of

parasitic infection to your

family by restricting access

to frequently contaminated

areas such as sidewalk flower

beds, parks, sandboxes, pet

“walk areas,” and other high-

traffic areas; and practicing

good personal hygiene. You

should thoroughly clean

your pet’s rear end and paws

before and after a visit to a

dog run/park; and always

before entering your home.

Unscented baby wipes

work well, are portable, pet

friendly and convenient.

7

Tick Control

Ticks live in tall grasses and heavily wooded areas, and can survive cold fall temperatures. It is important that anytime you or your pets are in these environments a tick check be performed when you return home. Don’t forget to check between the toes and behind the ears where ticks love to hang out.

Ticks burrow their heads into the skin of your pet and gorge on the blood. The bites can cause skin irritations, and spread diseases including the Borrelia Burgdorferi bacterium, better known as Lyme Disease. It takes one complete day for the Borreliosis bacteria to pass from an infected deer tick into your pet, so removing a tick within 24 hours is critical in Lyme Disease Prevention. The safest way to remove a tick is to lightly pull a tick’s body with tweezers and wait for the tick to let go. Complete removal of the tick is important. If a head remains imbedded in your pet’s skin or you are in doubt about how to remove ticks, make an appointment with one of our veterinarians to remove them for you.

If a tick has been on your pet more than 24 hours, we recommend running a blood test 3 weeks after exposure to determine if your pet has contracted Lyme Disease. If the test is positive the veterinarian will prescribe a course of treatment. If you plan to travel to heavily wooded areas, or known tick infested areas, talk to your veterinarian about tick control and whether the Lyme Vaccination would be appropriate for your pet.

Heartworm Disease

Heartworms are transmitted by mosquitoes, and it is a very preventable disease. To make a long story short, mosquitoes bite a dog that is heartworm positive. The baby heartworms, called microfilaria, move to the next larval stage within the mosquito, then the mosquito flies over to your dog, bites her, and injects the microfilaria into your dog. These baby heartworms then travel to the heart, where they reside in the pulmonary artery. As the heartworms grow or multiply, numerous complications arise that generally result in death. Therefore, it is important to take responsibility for your dog’s health and remember to give heartworm prevention on a monthly basis.

This monthly pill is proven to be effective in killing microfilaria and preventing heartworm disease.

Heartworm testing should be performed on an annual basis, even if you are not likely to miss giving your dog’s monthly pill. Puppies begin heartworm prevention at their first visit, at 6 to 8 weeks, and their first test will be performed at the next yearly exam. Our heartworm antigen ELISA test will also check for ehrlichia, anaplasmosis, and lyme’s disease – both transmitted by ticks.

Life Cycleof the

Heartworm

Mosquito bitesdog or cat and

injects microfilariae

Larvae develop into adult heartworms and live in the heart and adjacent vessels

Over a period of a few weeks the micofilariae

develop into larvae

■ Heartworm is carried by mosquitoes.

■ Mosquitoes and Heartworm Disease are found in all 50 states.

■ A mosquito becomes infected when it bites an infected dog or cat, then the mosquito bites and infects an uninfected dog or cat.

■ Pets that do not receive consistent monthly preventative measures for heartworm disease may only live 2-5 years after being infected.

■ Keeping your pet inside will not guarantee that it will not get heartworm disease. Mosquitoes can and do get inside the house.

Heartworm Facts...

8

Flea saliva is considered one of the most irritating substances on Earth.

Fleas are capable of transmitting disease to humans and pets.

Fleas have changed history. As carriers of bubonic plague, fleas were responsible for killing one third of the population of Europe in the 14th Century.

A female flea consumes 15 times her body weight in blood daily.

More than 2,400 flea species exist worldwide.

Relative to their body size, fleas accelerate the equivalent of 50 times faster than the space shuttle’s speed after liftoff.

Great jumpers – fleas can jump 150 times the length of their bodies, the equivalent to a man jumping 1,000 feet.

Fleas reproduce rapidly at room temperature, making your home, pet and carpet the perfect year-round breeding environment.

You may not see fleas but they can be on your pet and in your environment. Check for flea fecal matter – black flakes at the base of your pet's tail. Flea fecal matter contains blood, which turns red when placed on amoist paper towel.

FLEA FACTSFlea Control

Fleas can cause a range of problems, including skin redness, excessive scratching, anemia in puppies, allergic reactions to the flea saliva or contraction of diseases carried by fleas.

Adult fleas are dark brown, about the size of a sesame seed. They live their entire adult lives on your pet and feed on their blood. Fleas can be picked up in the environment or through contact with an infected pet.

The adult female flea will start laying eggs daily (up to 50 a day). These eggs fall from your pet, landing on the carpet, furniture, dog bedding, and anywhere your pet goes. The eggs hatch within 4 weeks into worm-like larvae that burrow deeper into soft furnishings, carpet, and the nooks and crannies of your home. There the pupae produce a silk-like cocoon and take 10 days to become adult fleas which only emerge when they sense pressure, carbon-dioxide (from breathing) or body heat. Once a flea emerges from a cocoon it can only survive a few days without feeding. However, cocooned fleas can survive up to 9 months in the environment! An adult flea with an ideal host can have a lifespan of a few weeks. Fleas can also bite people.

Preventing Fleas and TicksIt is much easier to prevent flea infestations than to treat them. We recommend flea and tick preventative for your pet beginning as early as 8 weeks old. If you find fleas on your pet, make an appointment with your veterinarian, who will recommend a course of treatment for your pet and your home. Remember for every flea you see on your pet there are hundreds more in your environment. Successful flea control means treating both your pet and your home.

50% Eggs

35% Larvae

10% Pupae

5% Adults

STRUCTURE OF FLEA POPULATION

9

Spaying or Neutering

We highly recommend spaying or an ovarianhysterectomy (surgical removal of the ovaries and uterus) for female dogs and castration (surgical removal of the testicles) of male dogs when they reach 6 months of age. For female dogs, spaying greatly reduces the risk of uterine infections and breast cancer and eliminates unwanted pregnancies and puppies as well as eliminate heat cycles. For male dogs, neutering eliminates the risk of testicular cancer and reduces the risk of prostate cancer and behavioral problems. Spaying or neutering at 6-8 months does not cause a change in personality, guarding instincts, intelligence, playfulness, affection or weight.

Spaying and neutering are major surgical procedures and as such require a pre-operative consultation with your veterinarian. This consultation could reveal a variety of health concerns that may need to be addressed prior to undergoing anesthesia. During the consultation your pet will receive a full physical exam, and a pre-operative blood screen is recommended. The blood test will provide information necessary to verify that the liver and kidneys can process the anesthesia, and may also alert the surgeon to any underlying infection or blood problems. If all goes well with the pre-operative consultation you will then be ready for your pet to have surgery.

On the day of the procedure, we will admit your pet between 8:00-10:00 am. One of our Licensed Veterinary Technicians will provide your pet with personalized care throughout your pet’s stay. Prior to the procedure we administer a pre-operative sedative and place a catheter intravenously. This allows us to efficiently deliver medicines and fluids throughout the day. During the procedure, we use the highest

quality human-grade anesthesia, and monitor your pet’s temperature, heart rate, and the oxygen level in the blood; while delivering IV fluids to help keep the core temperature stable and to expedite recovery. During recovery one of our Licensed Veterinary Technicians remains with your pet ensuring (s)he is provided with warm blankets and kept pain free. After a routine recovery, the attending technician will call you with an update and will schedule a discharge time. Pets that are neutered or spayed go home the same day.

Microchipping

Microchips are often injected at the time of spay or neuter. We encourage the use of microchips to give your pet an additional source of identification in the event of being lost, and is often required for international travel. The microchip is a tiny electronic chip about the size of a grain of rice placed just under your pet’s skin between the shoulder blades. The number on the chip, along with your personal contact information is then entered into a national database for easy retrieval. Should your pet be lost and found, you’ll be promptly contacted and reunited. Many international travel scenarios require your pet have an ISO (International Organization for Standardization) compatible chip like the ones we use.Country Hills Pet Hospital recommends and uses the Homeagain Microchip. Homeagain offer many money saving benefits with its registration.

How to Recognize Pain in Your PetPain in animals causes distress, delays healing and impairs the immune system, among other changes in the animal’s body and how it functions.

Here are some of the general signs of pain in animals:

• Objecting to touch/weight bearing

• Decrease in appetite

• Decrease in activity level

• Shivering

• Panting

• Restlessness or not moving

• Inability to relax

• Squinting

• Irritability

• Fixed stare/glazed appearance

• Failure in litterbox usage or in housetraining

• Withdrawal or increased comfort seeking

• Loss of sheen in hair coat (dog) or failure to groom (cat)

• Licking/biting/scratching/rubbing/rubbing affected site

• Vocalizing (rare)

If you feel you pet is painful or you feel the pain is not well controlled, please let us know immediately. We consider the treatment of pain to be paramount importance.

* Note: Some of the above signs may be caused by other problems (for example, anxiety, medications side effects, etc.)

10

Dental Care

It is important to start early with your pet’s dental health. We recommend brushing daily using a toothbrush and specially formulated enzymatic toothpaste for dogs to prevent the build up of plaque. If you find brushing difficult, dental rinses, wipes or chews are a better alternative in the fight against periodontal disease.

Baby TeethPuppies have 28 deciduous teeth that usually fall out by 6 months of age. If at the time of spay or neuter they have not fallen out, they should be surgically removed so as not to impede the eruption of the adult teeth.

Adult TeethAs your pet gets older it is important to have regular dental health check ups. This can be done at your annual appointment, or can be assessed at anytime.

Plaque: Develops when bacteria attach to the teeth.

Tartar / Calculus: Develops when minerals in the saliva combine with the plaque and harden.

Gingivitis: Develops when the tartar irritates the gums, causing inflammation (redness) along the gum line as well as bad breath.

Periodontal disease: Develops when tartar is not removed. Tartar begins to build up under the gums, and separates the gums from the teeth creating multiple pockets, which in turn allows more bacteria to grow. This can lead to loose teeth, abscesses, infection, bone loss and health problems affecting the heart, lung and kidneys, which can all be quite painful.

If your pet has tartar it will be necessary for him or her to undergo an anesthetic procedure, where an ultrasonic scaling can be performed above and below the gum line to remove the tartar build up, followed by a thorough polishing. In some instances teeth extractions may be a necessary part of your pet’s dental health.

Brushing Your Pet’s TeethFor the first few days, simply hold your pet as you normally do when petting him. For a minute or two, gently stroke the outside of his cheeks with your finger and praise him. As your pet becomes more comfortable with this activity, place a small amount of pet toothpaste

on your fingers and let him sample the flavor. Soon, he will consider it a treat.

Next, introduce your pet to an animal toothbrush or finger brush. Gently raise his upper lip and place the brush against an upper tooth and the adjoining gum line.

Gradually increase the number of teeth you brush each day, but go slowly and not beyond your pet’s comfort level. Build up to approximately 30 seconds of brushing each side of your pet’s mouth.

Progression ofPeriodontal DiseaseSTAGE 1 Gingivitis:The margin of attached gum is inflamed and swollen. Plaque can be seen on the teeth.

Dental cleaning is needed within the next month to remove plaque buildup and prevent progression of dental disease. Home dental care is needed.

STAGE 2 Mild Periodontitis:The entire gum is inflamed and swollen. The mouth is painful and odor is noticeable; tooth roots have lost up to 25% of their attachment. Bacteria begin to impact other body organs.

Dental cleaning to remove calculus is needed as soon as possible. Home dental care is needed for future prevention.

STAGE 3 Moderate Periodontitis:The gums are red and sometimes bleeding, damaged by infection and calculus. A sore mouth and or bad breath are evident. Heart valves and kidneys are exposed to bacteria and may be experiencing inflammation and damage.

Dental cleaning is needed immediately to remove calculus, along with antibiotics and pain medications. Extractions are likely. Home dental care is needed for future prevention.

STAGE 4 Severe Periodontitis:Chronic infection is destroying the gums, teeth and bone. Many teeth are loose. Bacteria are spreading through the body and heart, liver and kidneys are compromised. Pain is constant.

Dental cleaning to remove calculus is needed immediately. Extractions, antibiotics, and pain medications will be necessary. Home dental care is needed for future prevention.

11

Nutrition

Picking out a Pet Food for Your New Dog

Choosing a diet for your beloved pet can be a very confusing thing to have to do. With all of the new food choices and mixed reviews on ingredient and nutrient selection,you may have trouble deciding which diet is best for your pet. We recommend choosing a food that is formulated by a reputable company with strict quality control measures. The food should be deemed complete and balanced for the appropriate life stage of your pet, as outlined by the AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) Statement. A pet food that states that it supports “all life stages” for example, simply means that it meets the more stringent needs for growth and reproduction,and may not necessarily be an appropriate choice for your pet.

Reading the Label on Your Pet’s Food

You can find a great deal of information about your pet’s food just by closely reading the label. You will be able to identify the product name, brand, weight, intended species, life stage, ingredient list, guaranteed analysis, feeding instructions, and nutritional adequacy claim. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and AAFCO regulate pet food labeling,and there are certain guidelines to follow that will help you pick out the right diet. For example, if a protein source, (like ‘chicken’,’beef, or ‘lamb’) is in the name of the food, that diet must contain at least 95% of that ingredient. If the name of the food contains phrases like ‘chicken dinner’,or ‘beef entree’ that diet only has to contain 25% of that protein source. If it says ‘with chicken’ or ‘with lamb’ the diet only has to contain 3% of that ingredient. It is important to remember that the ingredients in the pet

food should be chosen for their nutrient content and their flavor. The ingredients need to supply an appropriate balance of protein, fat, carbohydrate, vitamins, and minerals, and no single ingredient makes a food better or worse than another. A pet food is only as good as the sum of all of its parts. The ingredient list will show the content by weight in descending order, with the first 5 ingredients making up the majority of the food. Keep in mind that ‘meat’ can be made up of around 75% moisture, making it higher in weight, but not necessarily denser in nutrient content.

How Much Food to Feed to Your Pet

Your pet’s food package will have feeding instructions listed on it. These instructions will usually be listed as cups or cans per pounds of body weight. This will be a good starting point for your pet, but it is important to closely monitor their weight and body condition, and to make adjustments as necessary. The Country Hill Care Team will be able to assist you with this,and will also be able to provide a calculated appropriate calorie count to stay within. It is important to avoid feeding human foods to your pet, unless specifically recommended by your veterinarian.

Weight Loss or Gain

It is very important to help your pet maintain a good body condition for his or her breed, age, and activity level. The Country Hills Team Members can assist you in determining an appropriate healthy weight and body condition for your beloved pet. Please note that sudden weight loss or weight gain can be indicative of a serious health problem, and should be addressed by your veterinarian.

TIP: To prevent your pet from having many intestinal upsets; choose one brand of food and stick to it. Avoid feeding human food.

Transitioning to a New Food

When a new food is suddenly introduced to your pet it can adversely affect their digestion, leading to gastrointestinal upset. We recommend when transitioning to a new food to introduce it slowly over the span of 14 days. Start by adding a small percentage of the new diet into the old one for a couple of days, and slowly add in a higher percentage of the new food, working up to 100% of the new diet. If at any point during the transition your pet has any digestive upset, talk to your veterinarian about what to do.

12

Housetraining

It is important to manage your puppy or adult dog’s schedule and their access around your home. Until your pet is fully housetrained (s)he should not be left unattended in an unconfined area. The best place to start is by creating a schedule. Your pet should go outdoors every 30 minutes to 1 hour when (s)he is first brought home and after every meal. This ensures that the dog knows they have access to outdoors frequently. Be prepared by having a few high value treats on you before going outdoors. As your pet urinates or defecates, say the word “potty” as they are eliminating, and then give your pet their reward when they are finished eliminating. This helps to build a positive association to going outdoors, and the behavior becomes even more reinforcing for them. As your puppy or dog is successful, extend the time in between going outdoors for elimination.

It is important to remember that your pet should never be punished, in any way, for having an accident inside the house. Punishments will not provide your pet with the information they need to be successful in potty training.Potty pads are a useful tool in the crate when your pet is unsupervised (for easy clean up), but they are not recommended to be used near doorways or around the house “in case of an accident”, this will confuse your pet and teach them that they may go both indoors and outdoor.

If you want your puppy or adult dog to go outdoors only, it is best to avoid potty pads. If you want your pet to go indoors only, then place the potty pads in the same place every day so your pet has a specific place they know they are allowed to go.

Crate Training

A crate can be a great tool for many reasons. Crate training can aid in housetraining as well as preventing destructive behaviors and providing them with a safe place they can retreat to if they are tired or scared. The crate you choose for your pet should be big enough for them to stand up, turn around, and lay down comfortably.

Use your crate to help with housetraining your puppy or adult dog. Whenever your pet cannot be supervised, perhaps when you leave for an errand or when you are sleeping overnight, your puppy should be in their crate. This will help prevent them from learning to eliminate in various areas of the house and making a habit out of it.

The crate should be a safe place for your pet. It is recommended to set up your pet’s crate in an area where they can always have access to it. Place a nice blanket and a few good indestructible toys inside of the crate to make it more enjoyable. Keep the door open to allow them to explore, and offer treats inside the crate. Praise your pet when they willingly go inside the crate. If your pet is a destructive chewer, do not leave any items in the crate that could be harmful when left unattended.

Pet Proofing Your HomePuppies are toddlers in a four-legged body. Keep this in mind when bringing your new family member into your household. Some dangers include:

• ELECTRICAL CORDS – Keep all electrical wires out of your puppy’s reach. These can be particularly dangerous when he’s teething.

• CHOCOLATE – We all like to give our pets “treats” but please don’t put chocolate on your pet’s treat list. The toxic element in chocolate is theobromine which depending on how much the pet has eaten can cause vomiting, diarrhea, urination, hyperactivity, panting, muscle tremors, seizures and even death.

• DANGEROUS HOUSEHOLD ITEMS – These items include ammonia, antifreeze, bleach, disinfectants, drain and oven cleaner, gasoline, medications (your prescription and over the counter varieties), paint and rat poison.

• GREEN STUFF – The following plants are toxic: azalea, caladium, Christmas rose, clematis, delphinium, dieffenbachia, ivy, lupine, mistletoe, oleander, philodendron, poinsettia, cherry laurel, rhododendron, solanum and sweet pea.

• COLLARS – Make sure your puppy’s collar fits appropriately. Too tight collars are a strangulation hazard and can also cause some nasty wounds. We aren’t too fond of choke collars.

13

❑ Examine teeth (and touch them!), paws, tail and ears. This is called gentling.

❑ Put your puppy on a table until she’s relaxed, then put her down. This will help her get use to doctor visits and grooming.

❑ Get her used to mailboxes, especially decorative ones that may look strange.

❑ If she is going to be around horses, get her used to them early. Keep her on a leash, though, so she doesn’t get injured.

❑ Walk her around wheelchairs and baby strollers, as she’s likely to encounter these regularly.

❑ Take her to the park where people are rollerblading and bicycling.

❑ If she is around cats, introduce her with careful supervision to a tolerant cat.

❑ Get her used to firm hugs and lots of handling.

❑ If you plan on taking her camping, be sure to get her used to campfires. Keep her on a leash so she doesn’t burn herself accidentally.

❑ And finally, take her to a dog obediences class. She’ll learn to play well with others, encounter crowded areas, and she may learn a few commands while she’s there!

Puppy Socialization Checklist

Socialization is a very crucial part of a puppy’s life. Socialization does not just refer to something you do with your puppy, it is also a period in their lifetime. Prior to 4 months of age, all puppies are impressionable and things that scare them during this period of time may scare them for the rest of their life. It is important to make sure that all experiences in a puppy’s lifetime are positive experiences, not neutral ones or negative ones. High praise, food treats, and toys are all great ways to help your puppy make positive associations to new things. Expose your puppy to other animals and people as well as various sounds, textures, objects, and environments. The more exposure your puppy has, the better socialized they will be during their lifetime. A good puppy class that promotes positive reinforcement training is a great way to socialize your puppy with other dogs and people in a new environment. Always make sure your puppy and animals they interact with, are up to date on their vaccinations and free of infectious disease.

Play BitingThis is a very common phase for puppies and young adult dogs. Dogs play and explore with their mouths, they do not have hands like we do to explore. Not only do they explore and play with their mouths, but between 3-5 months of age, puppies lose their baby teeth and get in their adult teeth causing them to need to chew. Whenever your pet becomes so stimulated that they begin play biting, it is best to stop giving attention immediately and walk away from your pet. After about 20-30 seconds, return attention and offer your puppy a toy to chew on and play with. If your pet tries to play bite again, continue stopping all attention and walking away. This teaches your pet that they only get to play when they play with their toy and not with your hand. Avoid scolding or punishing your puppy or young adult dog for this behavior, as it is a natural

and unavoidable part of being a puppy or young adult.

Introducing Older DogsIf you have an older dog,he may have a hard time adjusting to sharing his space with your new dog or puppy. He may not like seeing new people and may growl ,bark or try to hurt the new dog. Or, your older dog may be easy going and friendly. Until you know how the interaction is going to play out, you should take precautions so that your new dog doesn’t get hurt or scared. Try introducing the dogs in a neutral area that is not your home. A friend’s yard or a nearby park are good choices .Make sure both dogs are on leashes and can be controlled by you. Let them sniff and investigate each other. Do not yell or scold the older dog if he/she doesn’t react the way you want. Give him/her plenty of time to get used to the new dog. Dogs have their own rules, and your older dog will certainly let the new dog know the rules, sometimes by growling. Try and make the experience as positive as you can for both dogs.

Introducing Children to the New Puppy / New DogChildren often don’t realize the need to be very careful with a puppy or new dog. A responsible adult should always be there to supervise when children are playing with or meeting a puppy or adult dog. When you bring your pet home, it’s always a good idea to have the children sit down and let the pet come to them. Explain that they should not scare the pet by moving quickly or making loud noises. They shouldn’t rush at the pet or try to pick the puppy or dog up. Explain that ,while sitting on the floor, your pet will probably climb on them anyway. Always remember to keep the interaction positive for both the pet and the children. Praise, food rewards, and toys are a good way to do this.

Socialization In Puppies

14

First Aid for Dogs

It is important that you be prepared in the event of an accident or injury to your pet. In all cases the best idea is to call our hospital right away for guidance on how to proceed, or come in immediately if it is obviously life threatening. If you think your pet has ingested a poisonous substance contact Country Hills Pet Hospital immediately. NEVER induce vomiting in your pet unless you are under the guidance of a Veterinarian. When taking your pet into the hospital, be sure to bring whatever packaging you have on the toxic substance, so the Veterinarian has the exact information on what was ingested by your pet.

Poisonous SubstancesVomiting is commonly caused by the ingestion of harmful substances. Listed below are some of the most common poisonous substances. This is just a small list through, please consult ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control at 1-800-548-2423 (fee charged for certain services) or visit their website.

PoisonSymptoms

• Vomiting• Diarrhea• Difficulty Breathing• Abnormal Urine• Salivation• Weakness

If any of these symptoms occur seek immediate medical attention for your pet.

Toxic Foods• Almonds• Apricots• Avocados• Balsam Pears• Chocolate• Coffee Grounds• Fatty Foods• Grapes• Japanese Plums• Macadamia Nuts• Moldy or Spoiled Food• Mushrooms• Onions I Onion Powder• Pear and Peach Kernels• Raisins• Yeast Dough

Toxic Household Substances• Alcohol• Acetaminophen• Antifreeze /Car fluids• Bleach• Boric Acid• Cleaning Products• Compost Piles• Deodorants• De-icing Salts• Detergents• Disinfectants• Drain Cleaners• Flea Products• Fertilizers• Furniture Polish• Gasoline• Hair Colorings• Insecticides

• Matches• Kerosene• Mothballs• Nail Polish and Remover• Paint• Prescription medication• Non Prescription meds• Potpourri I Liquid• Rat Poison• Rubbing Alcohol• Shoe Polish• Sleeping pills• Snail or Slug Bait• Turpentine• Vitamins• Weed Killers• Windshield Wiper Fluids• Xylitol Sweetened Product

Toxic Plants• Azaleas• Diffenbachia• Lilies• Rhododendrons• Rhubarb• Spinach• Tulip and Narcissus Bulbs• Tomato I Potato Leaves & Stems

• Mushrooms and Toadstools• Wild Cherry• Ivy• Oleander• Pointsettia• Holly• Mistletoe

Pet insurance is health insurance for your cat or dog. Pet insurance pays a large part of your veterinary bills when your pet gets sick or injured, at any veterinarian you choose.

Pet insurance is simple and flexible. You can visit any general, specialist, or emergency veterinary hospital in the United States, there are no networks of any kind.

You pay your bill at the time of service, have

your veterinarian sign a simple form, and send it in to your pet insurance company. You’ll usually receive a reimbursement within 10 business days.

There are lots of pet insurance plans available, ask us for a brochure. You can also visit PetInsuranceReview.com and read customer comments and testimonials about the different plans.

Pet Health Insurance

13

Emergency Action Planning

Emergency action plans for your family should include your pets. For information on disaster planning and emergency actions to take for your dogs, cats, livestock, horses, birds, rabbits, reptiles or other small animals, please visit RedCross.org, the Humane Society of the United States (www.HSUS.org) or Ready.gov.

Protect Your Pet From Heat StrokeMost people know not to keep their pet in a locked car on a hot day but even a seemingly mild day can be dangerous. A car’s interior temperature can rise almost 45 degrees in less than 30 minutes, even with the windows cracked. Consider also that your pet can get over heated when jogging and exercising on a mild to hot day as well. And for those pets kept outdoors on a regular basis, make sure that they always have access to shade, cool shelter and cold water.

HEAT STROKE SIGNS: Increased body temperature, excessive panting, dark or bright red tongue or gums, staggering, stupor, seizures, bloody diarrhea or vomiting, coma, death.

Pet Travel Tips

The key to an enjoyable trip with your dog is to have everything with you that your dog might need. Here are some Travel Tips that will help make your next trip as smooth as possible.

Prior to the trip, consider making a checklist of items that you will need en route and at your destination.

Before you leave for your trip, visit your veterinarian to address any travel concerns, refill necessary prescriptions, and make sure your dog is up-to-date on all vaccinations.

Bring along the contact information for a local veterinarian where you are staying. Its always a good idea to be prepared.

Its important that all traveling dogs have an ID tag on their collar. Keep a photo of your dog on hand as well. Another useful idea is to put a piece of tape that includes a cell phone or local number over your dogs tags. If your dog gets lost while traveling, your home phone might not be much help. In the event that your dog gets loose during the trip, you want to make it as easy as possible for him to be returned to you.

Take a Break! Plan for some extra stops during the trip. This gives you and your dog a chance to exercise and take a break.

Did you remember to pack food and water? Pet stores carry a wide variety of collapsible and disposable dog bowls created just for traveling. For extended road trips or even trips lasting only a couple of hours, don’t forget to bring extra food and water.

Enjoy the Ride!

Your Dog’s Motion SicknessMotion sickness affects as many as 1 in 5 dogs, according to a recent dog owner survey, making it under-reported to veterinarians and more common than you might imagine.

Dogs with motion sickness may show a variety of signs, including:

• Drooling• Dry heaving• Excessive lip licking• Inactivity• Pacing• Rapid panting• Restlessness• Shaking• Whining• Yawning• Vomiting

Your dog’s motion sickness is caused when the vestibular system in the ear (which controls balance and helps dogs process motion) isn’t fully developed or doesn’t function properly.

Motion sickness can also be associated with the stress and anxiety some dogs experience during a car ride, and can sometimes be linked to a previous bad travel experience.

Although some dogs outgrow motion sickness, others may be affected for the rest of their lives.

CERENIA (maropitant citrate) tablets might be a solution to your dog’s motion sickness. If you believe your dog suffers from motion sickness, let our staff know and we can discuss the details about this product.

We Want You To Know

Hospital Hours Doctors’ hours by appointment Mon-Fri: 8:00am - 6:00pm Sat: 8:00am - 3:00pm Sun: Closed

Appointment Policy We highly recommend scheduling an appointment with a Doctor. We can usually accommodate same day or next day appointments. When necessary, we will do our best to accommodate walk-ins and urgent care cases.

Treatment Plans We are happy to provide you with a written treatment plan for any services to be performed.

Country Hills Pet Hospital Website Our website (www.countryhillspets.com) has further details on the services we provide, along with many informative medical articles for your pet along with a blog you can follow. Please check back often for up-to-date information. Remember to follow us on Facebook as well.

Payment and Fees It is our policy that payment is made in full at the time services are rendered. We accept VISA, MasterCard, Discover, CareCredit®, Check and Cash.

PetPortalsCountry HIlls Pet Hospital’s PetPortals lets you view your pet’s record any time, from any place with Internet access. It’s updated each business day, so the information displayed on your pet is always current.

Each time you sign into PetPortals you can:

• View your pet’s calendar

• Keep track of scheduled appointments

• Create reminders to help track your pet’s medication

• Review previous health services and medication history

• Request medication refills online

• Update account information

• Use mail for non-urgent communication with your veterinarian

Activate PetPortalsGive us your e-mail address to get your password.

Visit our website to log in.

Start managing your pet’s health online.

www.countryhillspets.com

Consolidate your pamphlets, fliers and handouts into one convenient and easy-to-read client resource. Your 16-page Canine Care Guide Booklet will educate pet owners and answer many of their questions on a range of topics important for raising a happy and healthy pet. You can edit any copy to meet your unique practice requirements and incorporate your own practice photos into this distinctive saddle-stitch booklet.

Topics include: (16 page Canine Care Guide is the most popular choice with these topics)• Congratulations on Your New Pet• Physical Exams and Immunizations• Your Pet’s Disease Risk Assessment• Pet Dental Care and Dental Disease• House/Crate Training and Pet Socialization• Let’s Eat – Pet Nutrition – New Food Transition• Pet Poisons – Pet-Proof Your Home

• Zoonotic Awareness & How to Protect My Family• Parasites Pet Owners Must Be Aware Of• Pet Travel Tips and Motion Sickness• Heartworm Disease and Understanding Fleas/Ticks• Spay/Neuter and Microchipping• Our Website – Learn More – Pet Health Resource• Pet Health Insurance and Emergency Services

NEW

Client take-home brochures are IMPORTANT because the average person remembers only 20 PERCENT of what he or she hears.The Why!

q Canine Care q Feline Care

Select Booklet Size and Quantity

“We will strive to provide high quality care, and medical information for our clients and their pets by

making their concerns our top priority.”

N4415 A Hwy 45 Eden, WI 53019

(920) 477-3003

www.countryhillspets.com

2

Congratulations!

On the new

addition to your family.

We understand that bringing a new

pet into your life can be both exciting and stressful. W

e are here to help! Like you, we w

ant your pet to live a happy and healthy pet. This includes vaccines, spaying or neutering, routine annual and bi-annual health visits and any health concerns along the w

ay, all in conjunction with excellent hom

e care and nutrition.

Depending on the age of your pet and his or her m

edical history, (s)he may

need to receive the entire vaccine series or just one or two vaccines to com

plete the core series. W

herever (s)he is we w

ill ensure your pet is set up on the appropriate vaccination schedule. If your pet is sick or not feeling w

ell at any tim

e, please let the doctors know so they can proceed accordingly.

We present a lot of inform

ation in your first appointment relating to services

and products available to keep your puppy/dog healthy, including heartworm

prevention, flea and tick control, training, housetraining and socialization, diet, and dental hygiene. W

e know it’s a lot of inform

ation and have created this book as a resource for you to understand w

hat we do and w

hy.

We are very excited to m

eet you and your new fam

ily mem

ber and be a part of your life!

The Doctors and H

ealth Care Team at Country H

ills Pet Hospital

When quality m

edical care matters, clients take

their pets to AA

HA

accredited hospitals. There are 3,000 accredited hospitals in N

orth Am

erica, and Country H

ills Pet Hospital is one of them

.

Superior care is clearly a priority for you and your fam

ily, so it should be reassuring to know that

our hospital made the grade. W

e continually exceed rigorous review

s that include more

than 900 standards created by the Am

erican A

nimal H

ospital Association (A

AH

A) w

hich evaluate quality care and client service.

AA

HA

accreditation is a trusted sign of excellence. It show

s that veterinary professionals are

knowledgeable, equipm

ent is well

maintained and updated, m

edical procedures are cutting-edge, and facilities deliver high quality veterinary care.

To maintain accredited status, w

e voluntarily undergo com

prehensive on-site evaluations about every three years.

AA

HA

accreditation keeps us at the front of the veterinary pack. W

e are dedicated to providing your pet w

ith the best health care possible.

Take pride in the knowledge that

your pets are in great hands.

AAHA Accreditation Counts

3

Physical Exam

A physical exam

is completed each tim

e you see the veterinarian This is a nose to tail exam

of your pet.

The doctor will:

• inspect the ears, eyes, nose, m

outh, teeth, gums, trunk, legs and paw

s

• take a tem

perature, pulse rate and respiratory rate

• listen for any heart or lung abnorm

alities

• exam

ine the abdomen by palpating the internal organs

• check the skin and perianal area for any sign of disease, parasites or discharge

The physical exam can alert the doctor to any congenital defects

or causes of concern.

Imm

unizations

After birth a puppy w

ill receive imm

unoglobulins through its mother’s m

ilk, how

ever this imm

unity does not last long. It takes time for a puppy’s im

mune

system to m

ature, which is w

hy a puppy receives a series of vaccinations between

8-16 weeks of age and then boosters a year later, follow

ed by annual boosters as a adult. These vaccines protect your pet from

potential life threatening diseases.

A CO

MBIN

ATION

VACCIN

E TO PRO

TECT AG

AIN

ST:

Distem

per: A highly contagious airborne viral disease that

attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal and nervous system.

Distem

per usually terminates in convulsions or death.

Adenovirus: A

highly infectious airborne virus affecting the respiratory system

, and one of the causes of tracheobronchitis, also known as

kennel cough. The vaccine also protects against the hepatitis virus type 1 and 2, w

hich can be fatal diseases that attack the liver.

Parainfluenza: A contagious airborne virus w

hich produces a respiratory tract infection, also one of the causes of tracheobronchitis.

Parvovirus: A highly infectious disease, potentially fatal that

is spread through ingestion of contaminated feces. The virus

predominantly affects the intestines and w

hite blood cells.

This is a combination vaccine adm

inistered at 3-4 week intervals

with the first given at 8-10 w

eeks old. The second is given at 10-12 w

eeks and the third at 12-15 weeks of age.

Rabies Vaccine – Required by Law

One vaccine is given betw

een 12-16 weeks old and a booster is given one

year later. Then again every three years thereafter to maintain im

munity.

Rabies: A deadly virus transm

itted through the saliva of an infected anim

al. In North A

merica this could be a skunk, raccoon,

bat or any number of infected m

amm

alian vectors. Rabies exposure does pose a significant health risk to hum

ans.

TIP: To ensure you and your pet have great visits at the vet, play w

ith their ears, m

outh and paw

s every day. Allow

ing others to handle your pet in the sam

e way w

ill increase their com

fort level.

3

Physical Exam

A physical exam

is completed each tim

e you see the veterinarian This is a nose to tail exam

of your pet.

The doctor will:

• inspect the ears, eyes, nose, m

outh, teeth, gums, trunk, legs and paw

s

• take a tem

perature, pulse rate and respiratory rate

• listen for any heart or lung abnorm

alities

• exam

ine the abdomen by palpating the internal organs

• check the skin and perianal area for any sign of disease, parasites or discharge

The physical exam can alert the doctor to any congenital defects

or causes of concern.

Imm

unizations

After birth a puppy w

ill receive imm

unoglobulins through its mother’s m

ilk, how

ever this imm

unity does not last long. It takes time for a puppy’s im

mune

system to m

ature, which is w

hy a puppy receives a series of vaccinations between

8-16 weeks of age and then boosters a year later, follow

ed by annual boosters as a adult. These vaccines protect your pet from

potential life threatening diseases.

A CO

MBIN

ATION

VACCIN

E TO PRO

TECT AG

AIN

ST:

Distem

per: A highly contagious airborne viral disease that

attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal and nervous system.

Distem

per usually terminates in convulsions or death.

Adenovirus: A

highly infectious airborne virus affecting the respiratory system

, and one of the causes of tracheobronchitis, also known as

kennel cough. The vaccine also protects against the hepatitis virus type 1 and 2, w

hich can be fatal diseases that attack the liver.

Parainfluenza: A contagious airborne virus w

hich produces a respiratory tract infection, also one of the causes of tracheobronchitis.

Parvovirus: A highly infectious disease, potentially fatal that

is spread through ingestion of contaminated feces. The virus

predominantly affects the intestines and w

hite blood cells.

This is a combination vaccine adm

inistered at 3-4 week intervals

with the first given at 8-10 w

eeks old. The second is given at 10-12 w

eeks and the third at 12-15 weeks of age.

Rabies Vaccine – Required by Law

One vaccine is given betw

een 12-16 weeks old and a booster is given one

year later. Then again every three years thereafter to maintain im

munity.

Rabies: A deadly virus transm

itted through the saliva of an infected anim

al. In North A

merica this could be a skunk, raccoon,

bat or any number of infected m

amm

alian vectors. Rabies exposure does pose a significant health risk to hum

ans.

TIP: To ensure you and your pet have great visits at the vet, play w

ith their ears, m

outh and paw

s every day. Allow

ing others to handle your pet in the sam

e way w

ill increase their com

fort level.

4

Bordetella VaccineThe first vaccine is typically adm

inistered intra-nasally around 11 weeks, the second

vaccine is given 3 weeks later as an injection. A

booster vaccine is given yearly to assist in the m

aintenance of imm

unity. Some boarding/daycare and groom

ing facilities require Bordetella boosters every 6 m

onths.

Bordetella: A highly contagious airborne bacterial infection of the upper

respiratory tract, and the significant component of tracheobronchitis.

Other com

ponents are the Adenovirus-2 and the parainfluenza previously m

entioned. Tracheobronchitis generally presents with an on-going dry,

harsh, hacking cough and is comm

only known as kennel cough.

Additional Vaccinations

The veterinarian may recom

mend these additional vaccinations depending on the

lifestyle of your pet.

Lyme D

isease: A bacterial disease transm

itted through the bite of a tick infected w

ith the Borrelia bacteria. Lyme D

isease can cause limping,

swollen lym

ph nodes, joint and muscular pain, loss of appetite, w

eight loss, fever and in extrem

e cases can affect the kidneys and nervous system

. It can take anywhere from

one month to one year for sym

ptoms

to appear after a bite by an infected tick. If you plan to take your pet to a heavily w

ooded area or high tick area talk to your veterinarian about the Lym

e vaccine or other preventative measures available. Lym

e disease is a zoonotic disease, w

hich means it can be transm

itted to people.

Leptospirosis: A bacterial disease often leading to liver or kidney

failure. The disease is carried by rodents, “carrier” dogs or other wildlife

and is transmitted through infected urine. If you plan to take your

pet swim

ming in stream

s, lakes or other bodies of standing water, talk

to your veterinarian about the Leptospirosis vaccine. Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease, w

hich means it can be transferred to people.

Antibody Titers

If vaccine use is restricted because of your pet’s health, after two years of age w

e are able to run antibody titers to help prevent over-vaccinating your pet. These are blood tests that m

easure the amount of antibodies to a particular disease

in the blood. If the titer shows a low

level of imm

unity, added protection is necessary, and w

e will adm

inister a booster vaccination. Protective titer levels indicate average response to the vaccination, not the level of protection.M

AX’S VET ISCOUNTRY HILLSPET HOSPITAL920-477-3003

“MAX”

ANDY KOPP920-999-12341234 ANY ST

EDEN, WI

PET SAFETY TIP: Add our phone number or

the phone number of a friend to the BACKSID

E of your pet’s ID

Tag. If injured or lost and the person finding your pet is unable to contact you they can call your friend or our hospital. Alw

ays have a current tag on your pet.

6

Single-cell organisms –

Coccidia: A m

icroscopic parasite affecting the intestine. It can cause severe w

atery diarrhea, dehydration, abdom

inal distress and vomiting. Infection is spread

through the ingestion of cysts found in the feces of an infected dog. A

coccidia diagnosis is made from

perform

ing a microscopic exam

ination of the feces. Som

e strains of coccidia can be transferred to people. G

iardia: A parasitic infection affecting the sm

all intestine. It can cause m

ucousy diarrhea. Infection is spread though ingesting the cyst form

of the parasite from infected fecal

matter of other dogs. G

iardia requires a special fecal test, and can be hard to treat. In som

e instances your pet may

need multiple courses of treatm

ent. Giardia is a zoonotic

disease, which m

eans it can be transferred to people.

Fecal Examination

A fecal exam

is a microscopic assessm

ent of feces used to detect the presence of a num

ber of parasites. If a test is positive for a parasitic infection, your veterinarian w

ill start your pet on a course of m

edication. To determine if the

treatment w

as effective we w

ill retest the feces at the end of the course of m

edication. Fecal exams are recom

mended

twice per year as part of the annual or bi-annual health check

and anytime your pet has on-going diarrhea or soft stools.

According to the Companion A

nimal Parasite Council,

“Veterinarians should conduct fecal examinations tw

o to four tim

es a year in adult pets, depending on patient health and lifestyle factors, and treat w

ith appropriate medications.”

Dew

ormer

Often used to treat som

e of the more com

mon parasites.

A dew

ormer can be given at the tim

e of the appointment

and consequently again in 14 days later as directed by your veterinarian. This follow

s the lifecycle of the parasite. The first treatm

ent will treat parasites currently

in the adult stage, and the second treatment w

ill treat parasites that have developed into the adult stage.

What is a zoonotic disease?

Zoonoses, or zoonotic diseases, are those diseases that can be transm

itted directly or indirectly from anim

als to humans.

- Companion A

nimal Parasite Council

Reducing risks for your fam

ily

You can reduce the risk of

parasitic infection to your

family by restricting access

to frequently contaminated

areas such as sidewalk flow

er

beds, parks, sandboxes, pet

“walk areas,” and other high-

traffic areas; and practicing

good personal hygiene. You

should thoroughly clean

your pet’s rear end and paws

before and after a visit to a

dog run/park; and always

before entering your home.

Unscented baby w

ipes

work w

ell, are portable, pet

friendly and convenient.

7

Tick Control

Ticks live in tall grasses and heavily wooded

areas, and can survive cold fall temperatures. It is

important that anytim

e you or your pets are in these environm

ents a tick check be performed w

hen you return hom

e. Don’t forget to check betw

een the toes and behind the ears w

here ticks love to hang out.

Ticks burrow their heads into the skin of your pet and gorge on the blood.

The bites can cause skin irritations, and spread diseases including the Borrelia Burgdorferi bacterium

, better known as Lym

e Disease. It takes one com

plete day for the Borreliosis bacteria to pass from

an infected deer tick into your pet, so rem

oving a tick within 24 hours is critical in Lym

e Disease Prevention. The

safest way to rem

ove a tick is to lightly pull a tick’s body with tw

eezers and wait

for the tick to let go. Complete rem

oval of the tick is important. If a head rem

ains im

bedded in your pet’s skin or you are in doubt about how to rem

ove ticks, m

ake an appointment w

ith one of our veterinarians to remove them

for you.

If a tick has been on your pet more than 24 hours, w

e recomm

end running a blood test 3 w

eeks after exposure to determine if your pet has contracted

Lyme D

isease. If the test is positive the veterinarian will prescribe a

course of treatment. If you plan to travel to heavily w

ooded areas, or know

n tick infested areas, talk to your veterinarian about tick control and w

hether the Lyme Vaccination w

ould be appropriate for your pet.

Heartw

orm D

isease

Heartw

orms are transm

itted by mosquitoes, and it is a

very preventable disease. To make a long story short,

mosquitoes bite a dog that is heartw

orm positive. The

baby heartworm

s, called microfilaria, m

ove to the next larval stage w

ithin the mosquito, then the m

osquito flies over to your dog, bites her, and injects the m

icrofilaria into your dog. These baby heartworm

s then travel to the heart, w

here they reside in the pulmonary artery. A

s the heartw

orms grow

or multiply, num

erous complications arise that generally

result in death. Therefore, it is important to take responsibility for your dog’s

health and remem

ber to give heartworm

prevention on a monthly basis.

This monthly pill is proven to be

effective in killing microfilaria and

preventing heartworm

disease.

Heartw

orm testing should be

performed on an annual basis, even

if you are not likely to miss giving

your dog’s monthly pill. Puppies

begin heartworm

prevention at their first visit, at 6 to 8 w

eeks, and their first test w

ill be performed at the

next yearly exam. O

ur heartworm

antigen ELISA

test will also check for

ehrlichia, anaplasmosis, and lym

e’s disease – both transm

itted by ticks.

Life C

ycleof the

Heartw

orm

Mosquito bites

dog or cat andinjects m

icrofilariae

Larvae develop into adult

heartworm

s and live in the heart and adjacent vessels

Over a period of a few

w

eeks the micofilariae

develop into larvae

■

Heartworm is carried

by mosquitoes.

■

Mosquitoes

and Heartworm

Disease are found in all 50 states.

■

A mosquito becom

es infected when it bites an infected dog or cat, then the m

osquito bites and infects an uninfected dog or cat.

■

Pets that do not receive consistent m

onthly preventative m

easures for heartworm

disease m

ay only live 2-5 years after being infected.

■

Keeping your pet inside will not guarantee that it will not get heartworm

disease. M

osquitoes can and do get inside the house.

Heartw

orm

Facts...

8

Flea saliva is considered one of the m

ost irritating substances on Earth.

Fleas are capable of transmitting

disease to humans and pets.

Fleas have changed history. As carriers of bubonic plague, fleas were responsible for killing one third of the population of Europe in the 14th Century.

A female flea consum

es 15 times

her body weight in blood daily.

More than 2,400 flea

species exist worldwide.

Relative to their body size, fleas accelerate the equivalent of 50 tim

es faster than the space shuttle’s speed after liftoff.

Great jumpers – fleas can

jump 150 tim

es the length of their bodies, the equivalent to a m

an jumping 1,000 feet.

Fleas reproduce rapidly at room

temperature, m

aking your home,

pet and carpet the perfect year-round breeding environm

ent.

You may not see fleas but they

can be on your pet and in your environm

ent. Check for flea fecal m

atter – black flakes at the base of your pet's tail. Flea fecal m

atter contains blood, which turns red when placed on am

oist paper towel.

FLEA FA

CTSFlea Control

Fleas can cause a range of problems, including skin redness,

excessive scratching, anemia in puppies, allergic reactions

to the flea saliva or contraction of diseases carried by fleas.

Adult fleas are dark brown, about the size of a sesam

e seed. They live their entire adult lives on your pet and feed on their blood. Fleas can be picked up in the environm

ent or through contact with an infected pet.

The adult female flea w

ill start laying eggs daily (up to 50 a day). These eggs fall from

your pet, landing on the carpet, furniture, dog bedding, and anyw

here your pet goes. The eggs hatch w

ithin 4 weeks into w

orm-like larvae that burrow

deeper into soft furnishings, carpet, and the nooks and crannies of your hom

e. There the pupae produce a silk-like cocoon and take 10 days to becom

e adult fleas which

only emerge w

hen they sense pressure, carbon-dioxide (from

breathing) or body heat. Once a flea em

erges from

a cocoon it can only survive a few days w

ithout feeding. H

owever, cocooned fleas can survive up to 9 m

onths in the environm

ent! An adult flea w

ith an ideal host can have a lifespan of a few

weeks. Fleas can also bite people.

Preventing Fleas and TicksIt is m

uch easier to prevent flea infestations than to treat them

. We recom

mend flea and tick preventative for your

pet beginning as early as 8 weeks old. If you find fleas on

your pet, make an appointm

ent with your veterinarian, w

ho w

ill recomm

end a course of treatment for your pet and

your home. Rem

ember for every flea you see on your pet

there are hundreds more in your environm

ent. Successful flea control m

eans treating both your pet and your home.

50% Eggs

35% Larvae

10% Pupae

5% Adults STRUCTURE OF FLEA POPULATION

9

Spaying or Neutering

We highly recom

mend spaying or

an ovarianhysterectomy (surgical

removal of the ovaries and uterus) for

female dogs and castration (surgical

removal of the testicles) of m

ale dogs w

hen they reach 6 months of

age. For female dogs, spaying greatly

reduces the risk of uterine infections and breast cancer and elim

inates unw

anted pregnancies and puppies as w

ell as eliminate heat cycles. For

male dogs, neutering elim

inates the risk of testicular cancer and reduces the risk of prostate cancer and behavioral problem

s. Spaying or neutering at 6-8 m

onths does not cause a change in personality, guarding instincts, intelligence, playfulness, affection or w

eight.

Spaying and neutering are major

surgical procedures and as such require a pre-operative consultation w

ith your veterinarian. This consultation could reveal a variety of health concerns that m

ay need to be addressed prior to undergoing anesthesia. D

uring the consultation your pet w

ill receive a full physical exam

, and a pre-operative blood screen is recom

mended. The blood

test will provide inform

ation necessary to verify that the liver and kidneys can process the anesthesia, and m

ay also alert the surgeon to any underlying infection or blood problem

s. If all goes w

ell with the pre-operative

consultation you will then be ready

for your pet to have surgery.

On the day of the procedure, w

e w

ill admit your pet betw

een 8:00-10:00 am

. One of our Licensed

Veterinary Technicians will provide

your pet with personalized care

throughout your pet’s stay. Prior to the procedure w

e administer a

pre-operative sedative and place a catheter intravenously. This allow

s us to effi

ciently deliver medicines and

fluids throughout the day. During

the procedure, we use the highest

quality human-grade anesthesia,

and monitor your pet’s tem

perature, heart rate, and the oxygen level in the blood; w

hile delivering IV fluids to help keep the core tem

perature stable and to expedite recovery. D

uring recovery one of our Licensed Veterinary Technicians rem

ains with

your pet ensuring (s)he is provided w

ith warm

blankets and kept pain free. A

fter a routine recovery, the attending technician w

ill call you w

ith an update and will schedule a

discharge time. Pets that are neutered

or spayed go home the sam

e day.

Microchipping

Microchips are often injected at the

time of spay or neuter. W

e encourage the use of m

icrochips to give your pet an additional source of identification in the event of being lost, and is often required for international travel. The m

icrochip is a tiny electronic chip about the size of a grain of rice placed just under your pet’s skin betw

een the shoulder blades. The num

ber on the chip, along with your

personal contact information is then

entered into a national database for easy retrieval. Should your pet be lost and found, you’ll be prom

ptly contacted and reunited. M

any international travel scenarios require your pet have an ISO

(International O

rganization for Standardization) com

patible chip like the ones we use.

Country Hills Pet H

ospital recom

mends and uses the

Hom

eagain Microchip. H

omeagain

offer many m

oney saving benefits w

ith its registration.

How

to Recognize Pain in Your PetPain in anim

als causes distress, delays healing and im

pairs the im

mune system

, among

other changes in the animal’s

body and how it functions.

Here are some of the general

signs of pain in animals:

• Objecting to touch/weight bearing

• Decrease in appetite

• Decrease in activity level

• Shivering

• Panting

• Restlessness or not m

oving

• Inability to relax

• Squinting

• Irritability

• Fixed stare/glazed appearance

• Failure in litterbox usage or in housetraining

• W

ithdrawal or increased com

fort seeking

• Loss of sheen in hair coat (dog) or failure to groom

(cat)

• Licking/biting/scratching/rubbing/rubbing affected site

• Vocalizing (rare)

If you feel you pet is painful or you feel the pain is not well controlled, please let us know im

mediately. W

e consider the treatm

ent of pain to be param

ount importance.

* Note: Some of the above

signs may be caused by other

problems (for exam

ple, anxiety, m

edications side effects, etc.)

10

Dental Care

It is important to start early w

ith your pet’s dental health. We

recomm

end brushing daily using a toothbrush and specially form

ulated enzymatic toothpaste for dogs to prevent the build up of

plaque. If you find brushing difficult, dental rinses, w

ipes or chews

are a better alternative in the fight against periodontal disease.

Baby TeethPuppies have 28 deciduous teeth that usually fall out by 6 m

onths of age. If at the time of spay or neuter they

have not fallen out, they should be surgically removed

so as not to impede the eruption of the adult teeth.

Adult Teeth

As your pet gets older it is im

portant to have regular dental health check ups. This can be done at your annual appointm

ent, or can be assessed at anytime.

Plaque: Develops w

hen bacteria attach to the teeth.

Tartar / Calculus: Develops w

hen minerals in the

saliva combine w

ith the plaque and harden.

Gingivitis: D

evelops when the tartar irritates the gum

s, causing inflam

mation (redness) along the gum

line as well as bad breath.

Periodontal disease: Develops w

hen tartar is not removed.

Tartar begins to build up under the gums, and separates the

gums from

the teeth creating multiple pockets, w

hich in turn allow

s more bacteria to grow

. This can lead to loose teeth, abscesses, infection, bone loss and health problem

s affecting the heart, lung and kidneys, w

hich can all be quite painful.

If your pet has tartar it will be necessary for him

or her to undergo an anesthetic procedure, w

here an ultrasonic scaling can be perform

ed above and below the gum

line to remove the tartar build

up, followed by a thorough polishing. In som

e instances teeth extractions m

ay be a necessary part of your pet’s dental health.

Brushing Your Pet’s TeethFor the first few

days, simply hold your pet

as you normally do w

hen petting him. For a

minute or tw

o, gently stroke the outside of his cheeks w

ith your finger and praise him. A

s your pet becom

es more com

fortable with this

activity, place a small am

ount of pet toothpaste on your fingers and let him

sample the flavor. Soon, he w

ill consider it a treat.

Next, introduce your pet to an anim

al toothbrush or finger brush. G

ently raise his upper lip and place the brush against an upper tooth and the adjoining gum

line.

Gradually increase the num

ber of teeth you brush each day, but go slow

ly and not beyond your pet’s comfort level. Build up to

approximately 30 seconds of brushing each side of your pet’s m

outh.

Progression ofPeriodontal D

iseaseSTA

GE 1 G

ingivitis:The m

argin of attached gum

is inflam

ed and swollen.

Plaque can be seen on the teeth.

Dental cleaning is needed w

ithin the next m

onth to remove plaque buildup

and prevent progression of dental disease. H

ome dental care is needed.

STAG

E 2 Mild

Periodontitis:The entire gum

is inflam

ed and sw

ollen. The m

outh is painful and odor is noticeable; tooth roots have lost up to 25%

of their attachm

ent. Bacteria begin to im

pact other body organs.

Dental cleaning to rem

ove calculus is needed as soon as possible. H

ome dental care is

needed for future prevention.

STAG

E 3 Moderate

Periodontitis:The gum

s are red and som

etimes bleeding,

damaged by infection

and calculus. A

sore mouth and or bad breath are

evident. Heart valves and kidneys

are exposed to bacteria and may be

experiencing inflamm

ation and damage.

Dental cleaning is needed im

mediately

to remove calculus, along w

ith antibiotics and pain m

edications. Extractions are likely. H

ome dental

care is needed for future prevention.

STAG

E 4 Severe Periodontitis:Chronic infection is destroying the gum

s, teeth and bone. M

any teeth are loose. Bacteria are spreading through the body and heart, liver and kidneys are com

promised. Pain is constant.

Dental cleaning to rem

ove calculus is needed im

mediately. Extractions,

antibiotics, and pain medications

will be necessary. H

ome dental care

is needed for future prevention.

11

Nutrition

Picking out a Pet Food for Your N

ew D

og

Choosing a diet for your beloved pet can be a very confusing thing to have to do. W

ith all of the new

food choices and mixed review

s on ingredient and nutrient selection,you m

ay have trouble deciding which diet

is best for your pet. We recom

mend

choosing a food that is formulated by a

reputable company w

ith strict quality control m

easures. The food should be deem

ed complete and balanced for

the appropriate life stage of your pet, as outlined by the A

AFCO

(Association

of Am

erican Feed Control Offi

cials) Statem

ent. A pet food that states that

it supports “all life stages” for example,

simply m

eans that it meets the m

ore stringent needs for grow

th and reproduction,and m

ay not necessarily be an appropriate choice for your pet.

Reading the Label on Your Pet’s Food

You can find a great deal of inform

ation about your pet’s food just by closely reading the label. You w

ill be able to identify the product nam

e, brand, weight,

intended species, life stage, ingredient list, guaranteed analysis, feeding instructions, and nutritional adequacy claim

. The FDA

(Food and D

rug Administration) and A

AFCO

regulate pet food labeling,and there are certain guidelines to follow

that w

ill help you pick out the right diet. For exam

ple, if a protein source, (like ‘chicken’,’beef, or ‘lam

b’) is in the nam

e of the food, that diet m

ust contain at least 95% of

that ingredient. If the name of the

food contains phrases like ‘chicken dinner’,or ‘beef entree’ that diet only has to contain 25%

of that protein source. If it says ‘w

ith chicken’ or ‘w

ith lamb’ the diet only has to

contain 3% of that ingredient.

It is important to rem

ember

that the ingredients in the pet

food should be chosen for their nutrient content and their flavor. The ingredients need to supply an appropriate balance of protein, fat, carbohydrate, vitam

ins, and m

inerals, and no single ingredient m

akes a food better or worse than

another. A pet food is only as good

as the sum of all of its parts. The

ingredient list will show

the content by w

eight in descending order, with

the first 5 ingredients making up

the majority of the food. Keep in

mind that ‘m

eat’ can be made up

of around 75% m

oisture, making it

higher in weight, but not necessarily

denser in nutrient content.

How

Much Food to Feed to Your Pet

Your pet’s food package will have

feeding instructions listed on it. These instructions w

ill usually be listed as cups or cans per pounds of body w

eight. This will be a good

starting point for your pet, but it is im

portant to closely monitor their

weight and body condition, and

to make adjustm

ents as necessary. The Country H

ill Care Team w

ill be able to assist you w

ith this,and will

also be able to provide a calculated appropriate calorie count to stay w

ithin. It is important to avoid

feeding human foods to your pet,

unless specifically recomm

ended by your veterinarian.

Weight Loss or G

ain

It is very important to help

your pet maintain a good body

condition for his or her breed, age, and activity level. The Country H

ills Team M

embers

can assist you in determining

an appropriate healthy weight

and body condition for your beloved pet. Please note that sudden w

eight loss or weight

gain can be indicative of a serious health problem

, and should be addressed by your veterinarian.

TIP: To prevent your pet from having m

any intestinal upsets; choose one brand of food and stick to it. Avoid feeding hum

an food.

Transitioning to a N

ew Food

When a new

food is suddenly introduced to your pet it can adversely affect their digestion, leading to gastrointestinal upset. W

e recomm

end when

transitioning to a new

food to introduce it slow

ly over the span of 14 days. Start by adding a sm

all percentage of the new

diet into the old one for a couple of days, and slow

ly add in a higher percentage of the new

food, working

up to 100% of the new

diet. If at any point during the transition your pet has any digestive upset, talk to your veterinarian about w

hat to do.

12

Housetraining

It is important to m

anage your puppy or adult dog’s schedule and their access around your hom

e. Until

your pet is fully housetrained (s)he should not be left unattended in an unconfined area. The best place to start is by creating a schedule. Your pet should go outdoors every 30 m

inutes to 1 hour when

(s)he is first brought home and

after every meal. This ensures that

the dog knows they have access to

outdoors frequently. Be prepared by having a few

high value treats on you before going outdoors. A

s your pet urinates or defecates, say the w

ord “potty” as they are elim

inating, and then give your pet their rew

ard when they are

finished eliminating. This helps to

build a positive association to going outdoors, and the behavior becom

es even m

ore reinforcing for them. A

s your puppy or dog is successful, extend the tim

e in between

going outdoors for elimination.

It is important to rem

ember that

your pet should never be punished, in any w

ay, for having an accident inside the house. Punishm

ents w

ill not provide your pet with

the information they need to be

successful in potty training.Potty pads are a useful tool in the crate w

hen your pet is unsupervised (for easy clean up), but they are not recom

mended to be used near

doorways or around the house “in

case of an accident”, this will confuse

your pet and teach them that they

may go both indoors and outdoor.

If you want your puppy or adult

dog to go outdoors only, it is best to avoid potty pads. If you w

ant your pet to go indoors only, then place the potty pads in the sam

e place every day so your pet has a specific place they know

they are allowed to go.

Crate Training

A crate can be a great tool for

many reasons. Crate training can

aid in housetraining as well as

preventing destructive behaviors and providing them

with a safe

place they can retreat to if they are tired or scared. The crate you choose for your pet should be big enough for them

to stand up, turn around, and lay dow

n comfortably.

Use your crate to help w

ith housetraining your puppy or adult dog. W

henever your pet cannot be supervised, perhaps w

hen you leave for an errand or w

hen you are sleeping overnight, your puppy should be in their crate. This w

ill help prevent them

from learning

to eliminate in various areas of the

house and making a habit out of it.

The crate should be a safe place for your pet. It is recom

mended to set

up your pet’s crate in an area where

they can always have access to it.

Place a nice blanket and a few good

indestructible toys inside of the crate to m

ake it more enjoyable. Keep the

door open to allow them

to explore, and offer treats inside the crate. Praise your pet w

hen they willingly

go inside the crate. If your pet is a destructive chew

er, do not leave any item

s in the crate that could be harm

ful when left unattended.

Pet Proofing Your H

ome

Puppies are toddlers in a four-legged body. Keep this in m

ind w

hen bringing your new fam

ily m

ember into your household.

Some dangers include:

• ELECTRICA

L CORD

S – Keep all electrical w

ires out of your puppy’s reach. These can be particularly dangerous w

hen he’s teething.

• CH

OCO

LATE – We all like to

give our pets “treats” but please don’t put chocolate on your pet’s treat list. The toxic elem

ent in chocolate is theobrom

ine w

hich depending on how m

uch the pet has eaten can cause vom

iting, diarrhea, urination, hyperactivity, panting, m

uscle trem

ors, seizures and even death.

• D

AN

GERO

US H

OU

SEHO

LD

ITEMS – These item

s include am

monia, antifreeze, bleach,

disinfectants, drain and oven cleaner, gasoline, m

edications (your prescription and over the counter varieties), paint and rat poison.

• G

REEN STU

FF – The following

plants are toxic: azalea, caladium,

Christmas rose, clem

atis, delphinium

, dieffenbachia, ivy, lupine, m

istletoe, oleander, philodendron, poinsettia, cherry laurel, rhododendron, solanum

and sweet pea.

• CO

LLARS – M

ake sure your puppy’s collar fits appropriately. Too tight collars are a strangulation hazard and can also cause som

e nasty wounds. W

e aren’t too fond of choke collars.

13

❑

Examine teeth (and touch

them!), paws, tail and ears.

This is called gentling.

❑

Put your puppy on a table until she’s relaxed, then put her down. This will help her get use to doctor visits and groom

ing.

❑

Get her used to mailboxes,

especially decorative ones that m

ay look strange.

❑

If she is going to be around horses, get her used to them

early. Keep her on a leash, though, so she doesn’t get injured.

❑

Walk her around wheelchairs

and baby strollers, as she’s likely to encounter these regularly.

❑

Take her to the park where people are rollerblading and bicycling.

❑

If she is around cats, introduce her with careful supervision to a tolerant cat.

❑

Get her used to firm hugs

and lots of handling.

❑

If you plan on taking her cam

ping, be sure to get her used to cam

pfires. Keep her on a leash so she doesn’t burn herself accidentally.

❑

And finally, take her to a dog obediences class. She’ll learn to play well with others, encounter crowded areas, and she m

ay learn a few com

mands while she’s there!

Puppy Socialization Checklist

Socialization is a very crucial part of a puppy’s life. Socialization does not just refer to som

ething you do with

your puppy, it is also a period in their lifetim

e. Prior to 4 months of age, all

puppies are impressionable and things

that scare them during this period

of time m

ay scare them for the rest

of their life. It is important to m

ake sure that all experiences in a puppy’s lifetim

e are positive experiences, not neutral ones or negative ones. H

igh praise, food treats, and toys are all great w

ays to help your puppy make

positive associations to new things.

Expose your puppy to other animals

and people as well as various sounds,

textures, objects, and environments.

The more exposure your puppy has,

the better socialized they will be during

their lifetime. A

good puppy class that prom

otes positive reinforcement

training is a great way to socialize your

puppy with other dogs and people in

a new environm

ent. Alw

ays make sure

your puppy and animals they interact

with, are up to date on their vaccinations

and free of infectious disease.

Play BitingThis is a very com

mon phase for puppies

and young adult dogs. Dogs play and

explore with their m

ouths, they do not have hands like w

e do to explore. Not

only do they explore and play with their

mouths, but betw

een 3-5 months of age,

puppies lose their baby teeth and get in their adult teeth causing them

to need to chew

. Whenever your pet becom

es so stim

ulated that they begin play biting, it is best to stop giving attention im

mediately and w

alk away from

your pet. A

fter about 20-30 seconds, return attention and offer your puppy a toy to chew

on and play with. If your pet tries

to play bite again, continue stopping all attention and w

alking away. This

teaches your pet that they only get to play w

hen they play with their toy and

not with your hand. Avoid scolding or

punishing your puppy or young adult dog for this behavior, as it is a natural

and unavoidable part of being a puppy or young adult.

Introducing Older D

ogsIf you have an older dog,he m

ay have a hard tim

e adjusting to sharing his space w

ith your new dog

or puppy. He m

ay not like seeing new

people and may grow

l ,bark or try to hurt the new

dog. Or, your older dog

may be easy going and friendly. U

ntil you know

how the interaction is going

to play out, you should take precautions so that your new

dog doesn’t get hurt or scared. Try introducing the dogs in a neutral area that is not your hom

e. A

friend’s yard or a nearby park are good choices .M

ake sure both dogs are on leashes and can be controlled by you. Let them

sniff and investigate each other. D

o not yell or scold the older dog if he/she doesn’t react the w

ay you want. G

ive him/her plenty

of time to get used to the new

dog. D

ogs have their own rules, and your

older dog will certainly let the new

dog know

the rules, sometim

es by grow

ling. Try and make the experience

as positive as you can for both dogs.

Introducing Children to the N

ew Puppy / N

ew D

ogChildren often don’t realize the need to be very careful w

ith a puppy or new

dog. A responsible adult should alw

ays be there to supervise w

hen children are playing w

ith or meeting a puppy

or adult dog. When you bring your pet

home, it’s alw

ays a good idea to have the children sit dow

n and let the pet com

e to them. Explain that they should

not scare the pet by moving quickly

or making loud noises. They shouldn’t

rush at the pet or try to pick the puppy or dog up. Explain that ,w

hile sitting on the floor, your pet w

ill probably climb on

them anyw

ay. Alw

ays remem

ber to keep the interaction positive for both the pet and the children. Praise, food rew

ards, and toys are a good w

ay to do this.

Socialization In Puppies

14

First Aid for D

ogs

It is important that you be prepared in the event of an accident or injury to your

pet. In all cases the best idea is to call our hospital right away for guidance on

how to proceed, or com

e in imm

ediately if it is obviously life threatening. If you think your pet has ingested a poisonous substance contact Country H

ills Pet H

ospital imm

ediately. NEVER induce vom

iting in your pet unless you are under the guidance of a Veterinarian. W

hen taking your pet into the hospital, be sure to bring w

hatever packaging you have on the toxic substance, so the Veterinarian has the exact inform

ation on what w

as ingested by your pet.

Poisonous SubstancesVom

iting is comm

only caused by the ingestion of harmful

substances. Listed below are som

e of the most com

mon

poisonous substances. This is just a small list through,

please consult ASPCA’s A

nimal Poison Control at 1-800-

548-2423 (fee charged for certain services) or visit their website.

PoisonSym

ptoms

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Diffi

culty Breathing• A

bnormal U

rine• Salivation• W

eakness

If any of these sym

ptoms occur seek

imm

ediate medical

attention for your pet.

Toxic Foods•

Alm

onds•

Apricots

• Avocados

• Balsam

Pears•

Chocolate•

Coffee Grounds

• Fatty Foods

• G

rapes•

Japanese Plums

• M

acadamia N

uts•

Moldy or Spoiled Food

• M

ushrooms

• O

nions I Onion Pow

der•

Pear and Peach Kernels•

Raisins•

Yeast Dough

Toxic Household Substances

• A

lcohol•

Acetaminophen

• A

ntifreeze /Car fluids•

Bleach•

Boric Acid•

Cleaning Products•

Compost Piles

• D

eodorants•

De-icing Salts

• D

etergents•

Disinfectants

• D

rain Cleaners•

Flea Products•

Fertilizers•

Furniture Polish•

Gasoline

• H

air Colorings•

Insecticides

• M

atches•

Kerosene•

Mothballs

• N

ail Polish and Remover

• Paint

• Prescription m

edication•

Non Prescription m

eds•

Potpourri I Liquid•

Rat Poison•

Rubbing Alcohol

• Shoe Polish

• Sleeping pills

• Snail or Slug Bait

• Turpentine

• Vitam

ins•

Weed Killers

• W

indshield Wiper Fluids

• Xylitol Sw

eetened ProductToxic Plants

• A

zaleas•

Diffenbachia

• Lilies

• Rhododendrons

• Rhubarb

• Spinach

• Tulip and N

arcissus Bulbs•

Tomato I Potato Leaves &

Stems •

Mushroom

s and Toadstools•

Wild Cherry

• Ivy

• O

leander•

Pointsettia•

Holly

• M

istletoe

Pet insurance is health insurance for your cat or dog. Pet insurance pays a large part of your veterinary bills w

hen your pet gets sick or injured, at any veterinarian you choose.

Pet insurance is simple and flexible. You can

visit any general, specialist, or emergency

veterinary hospital in the United States,

there are no networks of any kind.

You pay your bill at the time of service, have

your veterinarian sign a sim

ple form, and send it in to your pet

insurance company. You’ll usually receive

a reimbursem

ent within 10 business days.

There are lots of pet insurance plans available, ask us for a brochure. You can also visit PetInsuranceReview

.com

and read customer com

ments and

testimonials about the different plans.

Pet Health Insurance

13

Emergency Action Planning

Emergency action plans for your fam

ily should include your pets. For inform

ation on disaster planning and emergency

actions to take for your dogs, cats, livestock, horses, birds, rabbits, reptiles or other sm

all animals, please visit RedCross.org, the H

umane

Society of the United States (w

ww

.HSU

S.org) or Ready.gov.

Protect Your Pet From H

eat StrokeM

ost people know not to keep their pet in a locked car on a hot day

but even a seemingly m

ild day can be dangerous. A car’s interior

temperature can rise alm

ost 45 degrees in less than 30 minutes, even

with the w

indows cracked. Consider also that your pet can get over

heated when jogging and exercising on a m

ild to hot day as well.

And for those pets kept outdoors on a regular basis, m

ake sure that they alw

ays have access to shade, cool shelter and cold water.

HEAT STRO

KE SIGN

S: Increased body temperature, excessive

panting, dark or bright red tongue or gums, staggering, stupor,

seizures, bloody diarrhea or vomiting, com

a, death.

Pet Travel Tips

The key to an enjoyable trip with your dog is to

have everything with you that your dog m

ight need. H

ere are some Travel Tips that w

ill help m

ake your next trip as smooth as possible.

Prior to the trip, consider making a checklist of item

s that you w

ill need en route and at your destination.

Before you leave for your trip, visit your veterinarian to address any travel concerns, refill necessary prescriptions, and m

ake sure your dog is up-to-date on all vaccinations.

Bring along the contact information for a local veterinarian

where you are staying. Its alw

ays a good idea to be prepared.

Its important that all traveling dogs have an ID

tag on their collar. Keep a photo of your dog on hand as w

ell. Another useful idea is to put a

piece of tape that includes a cell phone or local number over your dogs

tags. If your dog gets lost while traveling, your hom

e phone might not

be much help. In the event that your dog gets loose during the trip,

you want to m

ake it as easy as possible for him to be returned to you.

Take a Break! Plan for some extra stops during the trip. This gives

you and your dog a chance to exercise and take a break.

Did you rem

ember to pack food and w

ater? Pet stores carry a w

ide variety of collapsible and disposable dog bowls created just

for traveling. For extended road trips or even trips lasting only a couple of hours, don’t forget to bring extra food and w

ater.

Enjoy the Ride!

Your Dog’s

Motion Sickness

Motion sickness affects as

many as 1 in 5 dogs, according

to a recent dog owner survey,

making it under-reported to

veterinarians and more com

mon

than you might im

agine.

Dogs w

ith motion sickness

may show

a variety of signs, including:

• D

rooling•

Dry heaving

• Excessive lip licking

• Inactivity

• Pacing

• Rapid panting

• Restlessness

• Shaking

• W

hining•

Yawning

• Vom

iting

Your dog’s motion sickness is

caused when the vestibular

system in the ear (w

hich controls balance and helps dogs process m

otion) isn’t fully developed or doesn’t function properly.

Motion sickness can also be

associated with the stress and

anxiety some dogs experience

during a car ride, and can som

etimes be linked to a

previous bad travel experience.

Although som

e dogs outgrow

motion sickness, others m

ay be affected for the rest of their lives.

CERENIA

(maropitant citrate)

tablets might be a solution to

your dog’s motion sickness. If

you believe your dog suffers from

motion sickness, let our

staff know and w

e can discuss the details about this product.

We W

ant You To Know

Hospital H

ours D

octors’ hours by appointment

Mon-Fri: 8:00am

- 6:00pm

Sat: 8:00am - 3:00pm

Sun: Closed

Appointm

ent Policy W

e highly recomm

end scheduling an appointment

with a D

octor. We can usually accom

modate

same day or next day appointm

ents. When

necessary, we w

ill do our best to accomm

odate w

alk-ins and urgent care cases.

Treatment Plans

We are happy to provide you w

ith a written

treatment plan for any services to be perform

ed.

Country Hills Pet H

ospital Website

Our w

ebsite (ww

w.countryhillspets.com

) has further details on the services w

e provide, along w

ith many inform

ative medical articles for your

pet along with a blog you can follow

. Please check back often for up-to-date inform

ation. Rem

ember to follow

us on Facebook as well.

Payment and Fees

It is our policy that payment is m

ade in full at the tim

e services are rendered. We accept VISA

, M

asterCard, Discover, CareCredit®, Check and Cash.

PetPortalsCountry H

Ills Pet H

ospital’s PetPortals lets you view

your pet’s record any tim

e, from

any place with Internet

access. It’s updated each business day, so the inform

ation displayed on your pet is alw

ays current.

Each time you sign into PetPortals you can:

• View your pet’s calendar

• Keep track of scheduled appointments

• Create reminders to help track

your pet’s medication

• Review previous health services

and medication history

• Request medication refills online

• Update account inform

ation

• Use m

ail for non-urgent comm

unication w

ith your veterinarian

Activate PetPortals

Give us your e-m

ail address to get your password.

Visit our website to log in.

Start managing your pet’s health online.

ww

w.countryhillspets.com

Canine Care Guide Bookletphil winter’s marketing communications • www.VetPracticeMarketing.com • phil@philwinter.com • ph. 800-803-8832