The Many Benefits Of Acupuncture

Acupuncture for my pet? Why would I do that and what is it?

Acupuncture is the treatment of disease that involves the stimulation of specific points along affected channels to reopen "blocked" energy flow and re-establish normal functioning. Diagnostic acupuncture uses these same meridians to detect an energy blockage. Precision in selecting the proper points, inserting needles (if used) to the proper depth, and maintaining treatment for the proper length of time, all are critical for successful acupuncture.

Acupuncture can potentially be used for all problems in animals. For small animals, the following are some of the general conditions which may be treated with acupuncture:

• Any type of muscle soreness, particularly of the neck, shoulders, back and hindquarters.
• Arthritis
• Sacroiliac pain
• Digestive problems including poor appetite and diarrhea
• Respiratory ailments
• Reproduction
• Skin problems
• Immune system stimulation
• Recovery from surgery

Acupuncture needles are incredibly thin; inserting them is a relatively painless process. Your pet may feel a minor prick, but it is not uncomfortable. In fact, some pets that struggle with chronic pain have actually fallen asleep during treatment sessions thanks to acupuncture’s pain relief!

Whether for overall improved health or to treat a specific condition, acupuncture does a body good!

Feline Scratching Behavior

Recently I have answered several questions from pet owners about their cat's scratching behavior. Many people get frustrated by their cat's scratching because it ruins their furniture, carpet, or drapes. Understanding why our cats scratch and finding ways to overcome the behavior helps to decrease the frustration associated with it.

·         Cats scratch as a means of claw conditioning. A cat’s claw has a husk that surrounds the claws and must be shed on a regular basis. Scratching provides a mechanism for cats to routinely shed their husks.

·         Cats are very flexible animals. They sleep curled up, which can affect the alignment of the spine. Scratching allows your cat to stretch either vertically or horizontally and realign their spine.

·         Cats are territorial, yet social, animals. Marking is an important part of a cat’s social behavior. They scratch to mark their territory both visually and with scent. Cats have scent glands in their paws and leave olfactory clues, which tell others "I have been here."

 What Can I Do to Stop My Cat from Scratching?

Routine Nail Trimming

Regular nail trimming can reduce the destruction your cat may cause when scratching. It is a simple procedure, but must be done properly and routinely. Have your veterinarian show you how to trim your cat’s nails.

Training

Cats can be trained to scratch only on objects of your choice, so as not to destroy furniture, curtains or other household items. Examples are scratching posts, carpet remnants, cardboard, and wood. It may be necessary to try different things before finding what your cat likes. The location of such an item is critical. If your cat has selected a particular location he likes to scratch, try placing an acceptable item in that location. For example, if your cat is scratching the couch, try putting a scratching post near the couch as an alternative. If that location is not acceptable to you, gradually move the item to the desired location. This may take several weeks. Keep in mind that if a cat is scratching primarily for marking purposes, moving the item may be unsuccessful and you may have to settle for a scratching post in a less-than desirable location. Remember, this is still better than replacing furniture and curtains! Cats should be positively reinforced when they use the correct scratching implements. Punishment strategies, like spray from a water bottle, tend to be ineffective in discouraging cats from scratching.

 Nail Coverings

Destruction from scratching can be eliminated with nontoxic adhesive nail coverings. The covering provides a blunt tip that does not cause damage when a cat "scratches". The coverings must be replaced about once a month following a nail trim. Ask your veterinarian to show you how to trim nails and apply them at home.

Declawing

Declawing is an irreversible surgical procedure performed by a veterinarian while the cat is under general anesthesia. In declawing, the end of each digit is amputated along with the nail. Declawed cats require special care and may experience tenderness or even pain for several days. It’s best to declaw cats at a young age as they recover more quickly and adapt more easily to the loss of their claws. New Hartford Animal Hospital does not recommend declawing cats, but considers each case individually. Once the cat has fully recovered, the cat must remain indoors as he has lost an important means of defense. It is important to note that since a declawed cat has lost a major line of defense, they will now be more likely to bite when frightened or threatened. A bite is also a defensive response and can be far more dangerous to the recipient than a scratch.

Cats use their claws to climb, scratch, hunt and defend themselves. These are all perfectly normal feline behaviors. There may be times when your cat scratches something inappropriate, such as a couch or curtains. Your cat doesn’t understand that this behavior is undesirable. He’s simply doing what comes naturally to him.

Adult Dog and Cat Care

Dr. Abby Regner with Tilly

From the desk of Dr. Abby Regner...

Dogs and cats need regular veterinary care to help them enjoy their adult years to the fullest. Industry experts recommend adult dogs and cats visit their veterinarian once or twice a year depending on health related concerns. I recommend this to all my clients for a number of reasons.

1. Preventive visits assess the overall health of your pet. My comprehensive examination screens your pet’s weight, body condition, and dental grade, and evaluates every major body system. Evaluation includes:

Temperature
Coat and skin quality
Teeth and gums
Eyes, Ears, Nose, and Throat
Lymphatic System
Respiratory System
Cardiovascular function
Abdominal palpation for kidney, liver,and spleen size
Neurological System
Musculoskeletal System

2. During my patient's comprehensive visit, I make sure to discuss all apsects of preventive care and provide counseling and information on various topics.  Along with the physical examination, the  assessment include: 

• Tick-borne and Heartworm screening for dogs which includes tests for Lyme disease, Ehrlichiosis, and Anaplasmosis
• Ova and Parasite analysis (stool analysis)
• Feline Leukemia Virus, Feline Immunoficiency Virus and Heartworm testing for outdoor cats
• Individualized flea and tick control treatments and recommendations
• Risk assessment to determine if any of your pet’s risk factors have changed
• Vaccinations based on your pet’s unique risks
• Behavioral and lifestyle counseling
• Nutritional counseling and weight management advice

3. Assessment of my patient's behavior and any changes to it is also an important part of the annual or biannual visit because differences in behavior often indicate underlying health issues. Early detection can greatly impact the treatment and recovery from any illness or disease.

4. Finally, forming a close working relationship with my clients, along with open and honest communication, is critical in making sure my patient's are receiving the care they need and deserve. Don't be afraid to ask questions or let your veterinarian know what your needs are. Afterall, we are here to make sure you and your pet continue to enjoy a healthy and rewarding relationship with each other!



Dr Abby Regner is an associate veterinarian at New Hartford Animal  Hospital who is also certified in canine, feline and equine acupuncture and herbal medicine.

Puppies and Kittens!

Getting a new puppy or kitten is exciting! Most new pet owners have many questions. From proper diet, housetraining, appropriate vaccinations, and other health concerns, your veterinarian can help you learn about each aspect of pet health care and design a program that fits your pet’s needs.

Expect your new puppy or kitten’s first veterinary visit to be slightly longer than a normal health exam. This first visit gives your veterinarian time to pass along important information about caring for your new family member and answer any questions you may have. It is important to bring in a fresh stool sample as well as any medical information that you have received from your breeder or shelter. Your pet will visit their veterinarian every 3 to 4 weeks until he or she is about 5 months old.

Regular Veterinary Visits will include vaccinations and de-worming according to a schedule determined by your veterinarian. Your pet’s lifestyle should be discussed and a recommendation made about the right vaccines for your kitten or puppy. At approximately 5-6 months of age, your puppy or kitten should be spayed or neutered and microchipped. After this visit, annual or bi-annual examinations along with vaccination boosters are needed.

Spaying and neutering— Spaying or neutering is recommended for most pets. Electing the procedure is not only socially responsible, it also provides many health benefits for your pet. For most pets, the best time to perform the spay or neuter procedure is when your pet is approximately 6 months old. For your pet’s safety and comfort, New Hartford Animal Hospital takes a multi-modal approach to safety and pain management during spay and neuter procedures. As an AAHA accredited hospital,our approach includes IV fluids throughout the procedure and recovery, preemptive and post operative pain management, vital sign monitoring and body temperature support, and a dedicated recovery technician who monitors and comforts your pet throughout their recovery. It is important to check with your veterinarian to see what their standard of care is for this important surgery.

Microchip—Microchip identification will help ensure that your puppy or kitten can find his or her way home if he or she is ever lost. We use and recommend the Home Again® microchip identification and registration. While microchips can be implanted anytime and do not require anesthesia, we often perform the service at the same time as the spay or neuter procedure.

By establishing a good relationship with your pet at an early age, your veterinarian will be able to create an individual plan for a lifetime of good health and happiness.

When Disaster Strikes

Although we always want to believe it will never happen to us, when disaster strikes it is best to be prepared. It is important for pet owners to be prepared for natural disasters so that they and their animals make it through alive and well. FEMA has outlined several steps that all pet owners should be aware of when and if they need to evacuate their homes in a hurry.

 

1. FEMA encourages all pet owners not to leave their pets behind as there is no way to predict how long you will be away, and pets do not survive well on their own in these scenarios.
   
2. Many human shelters will not accept pets when there is an evacuation, and you need to be prepared for this in advance. Also consider that if you are evacuated and you have a local boarding facility or your veterinarian is in the same neighborhood, they too might be evacuated. If they do accept your pets, ask them if they are evacuated, what is their plan, and where they will go so you will know where the pets have been taken can worry a little less over their well-being.
   
3. Create a pet survival kit that includes an extra leash and collar (with an extra set of ID tags on the collar), bowls, cat pan, and litter, and bottled water, and pet food with a manual can opener if the food is canned. You should also take up-to-date medical records including vaccine history, a recent photo of your pet, and any medications your pet may be taking. While ID tags on the collars are good identification systems, also consider having your pet microchipped and recorded with the microchip company. Keep a copy of the microchip certificate in your pet survival kit.
   
4. What if disaster or an immediate evacuation strikes when you are not at home? Develop a buddy system with neighbors, friends, and relatives to make sure that someone is available to care for or evacuate your pets if you are unable to do so. Consider creating a phone list of pet-friendly hotels and facilities as well as identify pet-friendly shelters in your region. Share all of this with your neighbors and have a phone tree setup for contacting each other and identifying where you will meet.

Pre-planning and practicing is always helpful for those “what if” scenarios and can help make a very stressful situation less traumatic for all.

For more information, visit http://www.ready.gov/caring-animals

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.aahanet.org/blog/NewStat/post/2012/08/29/155099/Emergency-disaster-planning.aspx

 

Ticks, ticks and more ticks!

From the deep woods to urban parks to right in your own backyard, ticks are common parasites that can be found anywhere!  These pesky arthropods are a potential danger to you and your pet. We had 3 positive cases of Lyme Disease this past week alone!

 

New York State has several species of ticks; two of the most important are deer ticks (Ixodes scapularis) and brown dog ticks (Rhipicephalus sanguineus).  

Deer ticks transmit Lyme disease which is caused by a bacterium called Borrelia burgdorferis.  Lyme disease is zoonotic which means it can be transmitted from pets to humans.  Symptoms in pets can be difficult to detect and may not appear until several months after infection. Also, symptoms may come and go and can mimic other health conditions.

Deer ticks also spread anaplasmosis (Anaplasma phagocytophilum).  This form of anaplasmosis targets white blood cells and can difficult to diagnose.  This is also a zoonotic disease and must be considered for both pet and human health.

The brown dog tick transmits another form this disease caused by Anaplasma platys. It is spread by brown dog ticks and leads to infection of platelets which can cause bleeding disorders in pets.  Brown dog ticks also carry Ehrlichia canis which is similar to anaplasmosis in that it is zoonotic and attacks white blood cells.
 

In our area of New York State, Lyme disease is the most common tick borne disease.  The best way to protect yourself and your pet is to test and vaccinate your dog annually for Lyme Disease and to use veterinarian recommended monthly preventatives on your dog and cat year round! The importance of using veterinarian recommended parasite prevention is stressed because of the severe complications and side effects of over-the-counter products, including Frontline and Heartgard. Although Frontline and Heartgard are veterinarian recommended products, unless purchased directly from your veterinarian, you cannot be certain that the product was made in the United States and subject to US federal safety guidelines. Counterfeit product is out there and unfortunately, we have seen it affect our patients.

 

It is important to check yourself and pets periodically for ticks and promptly remove them. Use tweezers (or a tick remover) to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull gently and slowly away from the skin. Do not twist, jerk, or pull hard.  Once the tick is removed, put it in rubbing alcohol. This will kill the tick. Remember to disinfect the bite wound to prevent secondary infections. 

Yard maintenance is also essential to protect against ticks. Keep brush picked up, wood stacked, and bird feeders away from high traffic areas.   Tick control should be a comprehensive effort.

 

Vaccinating for Lyme disease, using monthly preventative, maintaining your yard, and testing your pet for early detection and treatment if necessary will give your pet the greatest chance against ticks and the diseases they carry.   

We love our pets and want to reward them with loving gestures. We shower them with hugs and kisses, treats, clothes, toys and bones. Yet sometimes those well meant, loving gestures can mean tragedy. This past weekend we lost a young and otherwise healthy patient because he ate bones which caused a blockage in his intestines. Unfortunately, it could not be repaired. While not all instances result in death, you certainly don't want to take the chance with your pet.

Here are 10 reasons why it’s a bad idea to give your dog a bone:

1. Broken teeth. This results in expensive veterinary dentistry.
2. Mouth or tongue injuries. These are bloody and messy and often require a trip to your veterinarian.
3. Bone gets looped around your dog’s lower jaw. This can be frightening or painful for your dog and potentially costly to you as it can mean a trip to your veterinarian for sedation and removal of the bone. 
4. Bone gets stuck in esophagus, the tube that food travels through to reach the stomach. Your dog may gag, trying to bring the bone back up, and it could get lodged in his throat.
5. Bone gets stuck in windpipe. This may happen if your dog accidentally inhales a small enough piece of bone. This is an emergency because your dog will have trouble breathing and should get to the veterinarian immediately.
6. Bone gets stuck in stomach. It went down just fine, but the bone may be too big to pass out of the stomach and into the intestines. Depending on the bone’s size, your dog may need surgery or upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, a procedure in which your veterinarian uses a long tube with a built-in camera and grabbing tools to try to remove the stuck bone from the stomach.
7. Bone gets stuck in intestines and causes a blockage resulting in surgery.
8. Constipation due to bone fragments. Your dog may have a hard time passing the bone fragments because they’re very sharp and they scrape the inside of the large intestine or rectum as they move along. This causes severe pain. 
9. Severe bleeding from the rectum. This is very messy and can be dangerous.
10. Peritonitis. This nasty, difficult-to-treat bacterial infection of the abdomen is caused when bone fragments poke holes in your dog’s stomach or intestines. Your dog needs an emergency visit to your veterinarian because peritonitis can result in death.

Talk with your veterinarian about alternatives to giving bones to your dog. There are many bone-like products made with materials that are safe for dogs to chew on. Just be sure to always supervise your dog with any chew product, especially one your dog hasn’t had before.

Brush those teeth!

It's dental health month so of course we need to talk about teeth. Yes, your pet's teeth. They need to be examined and brushed just like our teeth do. Regular oral hygiene can add as many as 2 years to your pet's life. It is actually a nice way to bond with your pet. So how exactly do you brush your pet's teeth?

Here are step by step instructions:

1. Select an appropriate time
Find a quiet, convenient time when you and your pet are both relaxed.

2. Acquaint your pet with the process

For the first few sessions, don’t even use a toothbrush. Hold your pet the same as when you are cuddling her. Gently stroke the outside of her cheeks with your finger. After she becomes comfortable with that, place a dab of toothpaste on a washcloth wrapped around your finger and use it like a toothbrush on the pet’s teeth. Wipe all the teeth with strokes from the gum line to the tip of the tooth. Do this for one to two weeks until your pet is familiar with having their gums and teeth rubbed. We usually suggest starting with Enzadent poultry flavored toothpaste because pets like the taste.

3. Introduce the toothbrush

Place a small amount of toothpaste on a soft bristled toothbrush. Never use human toothpaste as it may irritate your pet’s stomach. The bristles should be held at a 45-degree angle to the tooth surface and be moved in an oval motion. Brush one or two teeth and the adjoining gum line. The purpose of this step is to get your pet accustomed to the feel of the brush.

4. Begin Brushing
Over the next several days, gradually increase the number of teeth brushed. It is important to eventually brush near the rear teeth where plaque and tartar have a greater tendency to accumulate. Go slowly and gently. Stop brushing before your pet begins to fuss. If she learns to dislike the procedure and finds out that more fussing makes you stop quicker, then brushing is going to get harder, not easier. Build up to about 30 seconds per side. Pets don’t get much tartar on the inside surfaces of their teeth, so you only need to worry about the outside surfaces. Be sure to brush the big teeth way in the back.

5. Make tooth brushing pleasurable

Proceed slowly and gently. Stop each session while it is still fun and lavishly praise your pet afterwards. She will soon start looking forward to tooth brushing and it will become a pleasant activity for both of you.

Filling Your Pet's Prescriptions

In the January edition of DVM 360, there was a disturbing story: Oregon Veterinarians Tally Retail Pharmacists’ Mistakes. The article was about how the Oregon Veterinary Medical Association recently conducted a survey to determine how often mistakes are being madehappening when retail pharmacies fill veterinarian prescriptions. The alarming results show that these mistakes are not isolated incidents and have been observed by more than a third of veterinarians in the state.

Below is a list of some areas that were listed where veterinarians in Oregon are seeing problems:

1. Insulin substitutions
2. Thyroid drug dosage changes
3. Phenobarbital dosage changes
4. Ringworm treatment substitutions
5. Propylene glycol misinformation
6. Wrong drug dispensed
7. Incorrect dosages
8. Disregard for veterinarians’ instructions- no substitution means NO substitution for a reason!
9. Inappropriate client counseling (some side effects that people experience in human medicine do not apply to animals)

In one case, a vet prescribed propylene glycol for a dog with a hyperkeratotic nose problem. The pharmacist told the owner of the dog that the vet prescribed ethylene glycol (anitfreeze) and that it would kill her dog.

Obviously the owner didn’t get the medication and the dog went untreated until the vet called to check up on the dog.

The key to this post is not to knock retail pharmacists but to provide education to pet owners as more and more of them choose to have their pet's medication filled at retail stores over their veterinary office for various reasons.

• Educate yourself on your pet's medication.
• Be aware of what your pet's prescription is.
• If your veterinarian hand writes a prescription, write it down or make a copy of it so that you can compare it to the prescription of what was filled by the pharmacist. If your veterinarian calls it in for you, ask them what the prescription is and write it down.
• When you pick up your pet's medication, always double check it. Is it the same brand name of medication? Is it the same dose that your veterinarian prescribed?

Ideally, fill your prescriptions at your veterinarian's office. Not only will you be filling the prescription at a "pharmacy" that is educated about pets and medications, you will supporting your veterinary office as well. However if you do fill your prescriptions at a big box pharmacy and ever doubt anything, have questions, or the pharmacist wants to change your pet's prescription, please call your veterinarian and ask.

http://mybrownnewfies.com/2013/01/29/9-mistakes-that-are-being-made-when-retail-pharmacists-fill-veterinary-prescriptions/

All Vaccinations Are Not Created Equal

Vaccinations are a critical component of protecting animal health. This includes our cats and dogs as well as livestock and poultry in the food industry.

As a pet owner, you may think that all vaccinations are the same but this is not the case.  Today, vaccines are not created equal even when they offer protection against the same infectious disease. 

Cost is often a factor when veterinarians choose which vaccine brand and type to use. This often accounts for the difference in vaccination prices between veterinary hospitals.  At New Hartford Animal Hospital we only use the most effective vaccinations with state of the art technology.  Our vaccines may sometimes be more costly than other available vaccines, but at New Hartford Animal Hospital, we will not compromise when it concerns your pet’s health.  Our vaccination decisions are based on infectious disease risks for our specific upstate New York region.  Dogs in this area are at an increased risk for contracting lyme disease and leptospirosis.

Vaccinations given by breeders and in pet stores are often purchased by mail order or from farm stores not directly from the manufacturer like your veterinarian.  Many times they can be ineffective because they have not been properly handled, stored at the correct temperatures or administered properly.  Vaccinations need constant temperature refrigeration from the time they are manufactured until delivery into the animal.  They also must be administered properly.  Non-veterinary individuals are not always aware of these issues.

We’re proud to be able to offer our clients a guarantee on many of the vaccines we use at New Hartford Animal Hospital. This helps ensure that our patients are properly vaccinated and allows us to provide the best possible care—all at no additional charge. This guarantee reimburses you for diagnostic testing and treatment if we’ve currently vaccinated your pet for distemper, rabies, leptospirosis or lyme disease and your pet contracts one these diseases.

At New Hartford Animal Hospital, we understand the importance of providing high quality medicine for your pets. We are honored to help you keep your pet in good health and we take that very seriously.

              A healthy pet is a happy pet!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

by Abby Regner, DVM, CVA

 

Deciding When to Say Good Bye

Euthanasia is something that most pet owners will face at some point in their lives. For many pets, their passing will be decided upon by their human caretaker. The time and date will be chosen in advance, not decided by “nature” or some higher power.       

Euthanasia is typically thought of as a choice between suffering and death and it can offer relief from pain that doesn't end. The level of pain is often used to assess whether an animal should be euthanized. Fortunately for many pets, palliative treatment is often exercised prior to euthanasia. Untreated or undertreated pain is epidemic among companion animals. Kevin Stafford, an authority on veterinary ethics, estimates that 10 million dogs in the United States suffer from osteoarthritis but that only a small fraction get treatment. The only treatment many arthritic dogs receive is euthanasia.

     

Why, then, are so many animals in pain? The reasons are largely cultural. Some veterinarians, particularly older ones, have been taught that animals don’t feel pain. To be sure, animal pain can be tricky to recognize and treat. Cats are notorious for their so-called stoicism, but dogs may not display pain in ways we easily see. As with humans, responses to pain vary. Effective pain management often requires trial and error with various types of drugs, as well as the use of non-drug therapies like weight management, controlled exercise, physical therapy, massage, acupuncture and nutritional supplements.

      

Quality-of-life assessments have been used within human end-of-life care. But this does not routinely exist in the veterinary profession. As it should in every veterinary hospital, we insist on quality of life assessments which include a discussion about lifestyle, behavior, and a thorough physical examination. Some of the things assessed include hurt, hunger, hydration, hygiene, happiness, and mobility.

 

One of the most troublesome moral challenges involves money. We could say that money shouldn’t matter when an animal’s life is in the balance, but this is neither realistic nor fair to pet owners. Beyond necessary pet care, every pet owner has the right to decide what they can afford and what they cannot. And most pet owners do not have pets just for the sake of having them. They truly care about their pets, incorporating them closely into their lives and often treating them as members of the family.   

 

Unfortunately, the love we feel for our animals can prolong their suffering. We may wait for our animal to “tell us they are ready,” but our love can make it hard to hear their cries. We may focus on caregiving, feeling vindicated when our pet shows interest in typical things like special treats. There is nothing wrong with this.

 

As your partner in pet health care, your veterinarian can help you decide when the time is right. No one but you and your family can make this choice. But having a resource, even attending a pet loss support group to prepare for that day, is something that will help with what many say is the one of most difiicult decisions you will have to make.

 

 

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/23/opinion/sunday/deciding-when-a-pet-has-suffered-enough.html?pagewanted=2&_r=0&ref=pets

Welcoming in the New Year!

Who doesn't enjoy the feeling of a "fresh start"? Refocusing on the new year brings hope and resolve to live better in the New Year. Here are some ideas to help enhance you and your pet's health and add some fun to your lives as well.

1) Exercise Regular exercise has the obvious health benefits, but it also is a great time to bond with our pets. A simple daily walk helps a dog learn proper manners, provides some good quality time, and does wonders for the human counterpart, too! Keeping pets at the proper body weight reduces the risk of heart and joint problems, diabetes, and a host of other poor health conditions.

2) Health Check Up A regular visit to your veterinarian is the best way to stay ahead of potential problems. Annual or biannual examinations of teeth, heart/lungs, and body condition overall will be less costly than waiting for a problem to develop.  Having a good "baseline" of information about your pet also gives your veterinarian something to compare against which helps determine more quickly exactly what is wrong with your pet.

3) Good Nutrition Like humans, pets who eat poor quality food just don't have the health reserves that those that eat a good balanced diet do. Poor skin, hair coat, muscle tone, and obesity problems can be a result of a poor diet. Also, pets are not humans -- a diet rich in table scraps is not a healthy one, and can lead to problems such as obesity and pancreatitis.

4) Safety Keeping pets safe is something most pet owners take for granted. However, take a moment to assess the toxic chemicals used in your house and yard. If toxins such as rodent poisons are used, can your pet access the rodents? Think about enclosures for pets -- is the fencing secure? Can your pet get caught or hooked up on the fence, a tree, etc. and choke or be stuck out in the weather when you are away?

5) Information Being informed is the best way to keep track of our pet's health and well being. If possible, keep a medical log of your pet's vet visits, medications, special needs, etc. to help track your pet's medical history. Knowing what is normal and not normal for your particular pet will assist your veterinarian in helping to figure out what is wrong in the case of illness.

The Internet is a wealth of information, but caution is advised when seeking out a diagnosis or medical assistance via the web. Just as in real life, there is good information and bad information out there. The only way to get an answer/diagnosis is through a thorough physical examination, review of medical history, and possible lab work performed by your veterinarian.

6) Volunteer There are thousands of animals in need of help each day. This concept can be overwhelming for many people. Every little bit helps, though. Financial donations, donations of supplies or your time to a local shelter or rescue group is always appreciated and real live animals are being helped by your generosity.

7) Be a Voice Speak up when you notice neglected or abused pets in your neighborhood. This isn't pleasant but if you can help even one animal escape a painful life, it is worth it. Shelters and rescue groups will thank you and most will accept an anonymous tip to help animals in need.

Resolutions may not be easy but they help us live better and more fulfilling lives in the long run. Good luck in 2013!

http://vetmedicine.about.com/od/pethealthinsurance/a/NewYearRes_2.htm