Have an indoor pet? Most of us do. Whether your cat is strictly indoors and you live in a high rise apartment building, or your dog leads a pampered life and spends most of his day lounging on the sofa, living inside instead of outdoors comes with special benefits and challenges. While indoor cats have a longer life expectancy, they are also more prone to weight gain, stress, and boredom. Ohio State Indoor Pet Initiative is a resource highlighting the of unique behavior and developmental needs of indoor pets and ways to help enrich their lives. Check it out for podcasts, articles, tips and more! 

Fleas, ticks, and the diseases they carry have been out in full force as the weather cools down this fall. Remember that our homes are heated so parasite prevention is important year-round. The Companion Animal Parasite Council has a very comprehensive website where you can learn about common tick-borne diseases and their prevalence in our area. 

Dental disease is the most common condition seen in dogs and cats. As the saying goes, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." The same is true for oral health. Teaching your dog or cat to let you brush their teeth is the single most effective way to decrease the build up of tartar and plaque which can lead to periodontal disease. Here is a link to the American Veterinary Dental College recommendations for home dental care. We emphasize that you do NOT need to open your dog or cat's mouth. Simply lift the lips and gently massage a soft child's toothbrush along the outside surface of the teeth. Use a toothpaste that is formulated for animals (does not contain foaming agents since our pet's cannot spit).  We are happy to discuss this with you or show you how to do this at your pet's next visit. 

A veterinarian demonstrates proper tooth brushing technique in this youtube video. 

Can't brush? Here is a list of products approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council to slow the build up of tartar and/or plaque. 

The new oral flea and tick preventive, Nexgard,  is now labeled for the deer tick and lone star tick!
Please call us to discuss whether this is the right product for your dog and your family.

We found this doctor's take on modern medical care to be an interesting perspective.

Montgomery County Maryland Lost Pets publishes a blog full of valuable information and resources for pet owners that have lost — or found — a pet. It includes places to look, links to recently found shelter animals, and ideas for how to get the word out. Find it at mcmdlostpets.blogspot.com.

Their Facebook page also regularly posts photos and information for recently lost or found animals.