Valley Vet Supply

Pet Halloween Safety & Fun

Pets and holidays can be very fun especially Halloween. I love dressing up my basset hounds, and taking them along trick or treating. I am fortunate that my dogs love people and are almost overly friendly. To my surprise, there are thousands of costume ideas out there, whether it is on the web or at your local store. Some of my favorites are the homemade ones on the internet. I love the dachshund with the felt costume that looks like a hotdog bun. What is your favorite pet costume?

For those of you pet owners that are not as lucky, Halloween can be a stressful holiday for you and your animal. Here at Valley Vet Supply we have several products to help your pet relax and enjoy the holiday.

One way to help your pet be more relaxed while strangers come to the door dressed in crazy outfits and masks is Rescue Remedy. This is a very simple and effective way to help calm almost any animal. Rescue Remedy is very simple to administer, you just apply the drops to a treat or to their water. This is a great product to help relieve unneeded stress on your animal.

Pet Ease Soft Chew are another great product that I have used with a cat that had anxiety issues when company was over. They are smoke flavored treats for dogs or cats that are just the right blend of chamomile, hops, and ginger. Most pets find these “treats” very palatable.

If your pets are as anxious as mine are to be out and about with the kiddos for Halloween, then safety should be your main goal. To keep your outing safe for both kids and pet, Valley Vet Supply has several products available to help ensure the safety of your pet while out at night. There is a bright orange or yellow reflective parka that will not only reflect the lights of an oncoming car but will keep your pooch warm. We also carry reflective leg bracelets which can be used on a horse for night time riding.

Wishing everyone a safe Halloween, Rachael

America's Most Popular Pet - the Cat!

Their ancestors may have spent all of their time chasing mice, but the cats of today have vaulted into our homes and hearts as the most popular pet. There are now more than 80 million cats in US households!

Many people take a cat’s independence, attitude, and self-sufficient spirit as a sign that they are pretty low maintenance. Actually, the cats of today still have the “fight or flight” instinct of their ancestors. They instinctually hide their illnesses to avoid become dinner for a bigger predator. Owners can often miss the subtle signs that their kitty isn’t feeling well. The unfortunate result of this is that when veterinarians do see cats, they are often faced with advanced problems that are more costly and difficult to treat. Extensive kidney disease, uncontrolled diabetes, and even widespread parasites top the list of feline issues.

Cat owners may need to watch their pets more closely for signs of illness. A veterinarian can help determine an appropriate health care plan, including which vaccines your pet requires. A review of the cat’s risk factors and the overall prevalence of specific diseases in the area are looked at to make the best recommendation.

Cats may have a bit of an attitude, but don’t we all? There really is a lot to admire about these athletic, graceful, and inherently curious animals. Lori H

Treating Diabetes in Cats

Did you know that cats are at risk for diabetes in much the same way as people? Type II, or non-insulin dependent diabetes, accounts for the majority of diabetes cases in both people and cats. In Type II diabetes, the beta cells of the pancreas which produce insulin either become exhausted or fail to respond to the body’s signals to produce insulin.

Insulin helps move glucose from the blood into tissue cells where it is utilized for energy. Insulin is the hormone that signals the cells to take up the glucose. Without insulin, the glucose stays in the blood and results in high blood sugar, called hyperglycemia. Without diagnosis and treatment, diabetes will eventually cause a metabolic condition known as ketoacidosis. This leads to dangerous changes in the blood chemistry, dehydration and eventually, death. Being obese or overweight is a risk factor for Type II diabetes because of the chronic inflammatory state obesity produces. This leads to a reduction in insulin sensitivity. In addition, fat cells in overweight animals stop producing the hormone essential for proper insulin receptor function. Symptoms to watch for include excessive drinking, frequent urination and unexplained weight loss. New evidence shows that high protein, low carbohydrate diets can help cats defeat diabetes. Even though your cat might need insulin initially, you may be able to reduce or even eliminate this medication as you help the cat lose weight. It is possible for a cat to receive treatment and enter remission so that insulin replacement is no longer necessary. Lori H