For the month of August, Martin Downs Animal Hospital is offering a 15% discount on all nonanesthetic dental procedures.  Remember-Pet Dental Services' 7-step professional teeth cleaning offers an alternative method for maintaining your pet's teeth.

GROOMING CORNER
This month's choice for Groom of the Month is a cute 14 year old Terrier named Girlie. She has been coming to Martin Downs Animal Hospital's Resort & Spa for several years. As you can see by her Before and After photos, Girlie has a whole new look thanks to our professional bathing and grooming staff.  If your pet is in need of a makeover, please call us today and schedule an appointment.  They will feel and look better and you'll feel better, too.  
    

                Before                                    After

PRINCESS'S PROGRESS 

                                                        STORM PHOBIA

           Storm Defender Cape                                          

August is usually the month where we see tropical storm activity begin to build up.  There have been quite a few discussions between veterinarians and pet owners about the best way to help their best friends cope.  What coping aids are available for our pets now versus what we had to offer even a few years ago is much different.  We have compiled a list and created a Storm Calming Center kiosk in our front lobby.  Don't delay-if you know your pet gets anxious early, medicate early.  Anxieties build up quickly.  It is harder to get a pet to relax once they have achieved a certain level of anxiety.

• Daily medications for the storm season are now available.  It is difficult to know when a storm will appear, much less get home swiftly to medicate your pet.  Daily meds are helpful in this situation.  You can also consider this approach for the pet with general anxiety.
• Fast acting medications are for the pet that really only shows anxiety once an individual storm is apparent.  These meds are usually effective within 30 minutes.  This type of treatment can also be used in addition to the daily meds if the pet needs a little more support.
• DAP products which we have highlighted before are synthetic pheromones.  These pheromones mimic the effect of a dog's nursing mother to help the pet relax.  DAP comes in three forms:  a diffuser, a collar or a spray.  We have all three varieties in use in our Resort and feel it helps to create a more relaxing atmosphere.  You can always purchase a collar for your pet's stay to help them feel more at home.  We have had very good positive feedback on the collars.
• We now know that some dogs are capable of building up static electricity in their hair when a storm is coming.  Can you imagine having yourself shocked multiple times over and over again?  There is now a Storm Defender Cape that has a metallic lining to discharge or "ground" the static charge.  For dogs that suffer from this, the cape works wonders at relaxing them.  A typical behavioral characteristic of a pet that has static electricity is hiding a lot in the bathroom where fixtures such as the bathtubs and toilets can ground them.
• Many of you are already familiar with the thundershirt.  This is a shirt that bears a resemblance to a "onesie".  It is a snug fitting body shirt that applies pressure to the body to calm the pet.  Think of bundling a baby.
• Some veterinary behaviorists suggest using the classical conditioning technique.  The goal is to change the behavior during the storm to show your pet a really great time during the storm.  For example, have the Thundershirt or Storm Defender Cape on and then give your pet special treats you would not ordinarily offer such as hot dogs, liver or cheese.  You could have a new and special toy on the ready.  Make the storm a pleasurable event.
• For those pets who have only mild symptoms during a storm, you may only need an herbal or natural remedy.  Anxiety TFLN (thunderstorm, fireworks and loud noises) is available for them.

If you feel your pet needs regular medication or anti-anxiety drugs for just the moments of panic, please call us and a staff member will help advise you as to what your pet's individual needs may be.  Some dispensing of anxiolytic drugs will require a visit to the veterinarian and they will be able to fully inform you as to how the medication works and what type of behavior to expect. The bottom line is:  there is help for your pet so they will be able to cope better in stormy weather. 

  

                                                                        Thundershirts