MPV Newsletter August/September 2019 p

In this issue Immunizations: required & recommended

What does “holistic” mean? Daycare Photo Contest Winner

Recognizing Pet Pain Bird Care

Tips for a Good Dog Walk

August

September

2019

www.millpondvetclinic.com

215-536-4443

reception@mpvclinic.com

MPV Newsletter August/September 2019 p2

Immunizations play a crucial role in the healthcare

of your pets. Diseases like rabies, distemper, lyme,

and many others can be prevented with a simple

vaccine, administered every 1 to 3 years

(depending upon the disease). Several of these

diseases are zoonotic, which means you can get

them from your pets. Rabies, a deadly neurologi-

cal disease, is the most well-known of these, and

the vaccine is required by law.

The following vaccines are recommended for

each species:

Dogs

Rabies

DHLPP

• Distemper

• Hepatitis

• Leptospirosis (annual)

• Parvovirus

• Parainfluenza

Lyme

Bordetella** annual

Canine Influenza** annual ** Recommended for dogs who go to daycare, dog parks, or are otherwise around other dogs.

Cats

Rabies

FVRCP

• Rhinotracheitis

• Calicivirus

• Panleukopenia

Feline Leukemia

Other Species that are recommended to have

the Rabies vaccine, or for whom it may be re-

quired for show/exhibition:

Ferrets Horses

Cattle Sheep

MPV Newsletter August/September 2019 p3

Holistic Medicine is all the rage right now. What is it?

How long has it been around? Does it make sense?

Holistic Medicine is the practice of treating the

whole person (or pet!), taking into account mental

and social factors, rather than just the symptoms of a

disease.

It’s not a type of medication, but a way of providing

medical care. In other words, holistics means looking

at the whole body, whole person, whole life

situation, and digging deeply to find the way to best

help the patient.

There are three ancient medical traditions in holistic

health:

Ayurveda – the ancient medical tradition of India.

Ayurveda traces its origins to a text written by

Sushruta, the “father of Surgery,” in the 6th century

B.C. Using a system of eight treatment

disciplines, Ayurvedic holistic health

practitioners guide their patients to balance and

moderation.

Herbal medicine – emphasizes holistic balance and

is the oldest form of health care known to man-

kind. Indigenous people all over the world and

throughout history have drawn on the medicinal

properties of plants. Herbalism is a critical element

of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda.

Western herbalism – originated in ancient Greece

and Rome, then spread throughout the rest of

Europe and eventually to North and South

America, focusing on the medicinal attributes of

plants and herbs.

Holistics and Modern Medicine

The discovery of germs and antibiotics in the 19th

century led the western world to focus on interven-

tion vs whole body support. We are currently in the

process of developing a more balanced approach,

combining varied methods of intervention for issues

that have developed with whole body support to

prevent issues from developing.

MPV Newsletter August/September 2019 p4

None of us wants our pets to be in pain, regardless of the reason. Unfortunately, for both veterinary profes-

sionals and pet owners, the ability to recognize pain is limited because dogs, cats, rabbits and other ani-

mals often mask overt signs of discomfort. Untreated pain may be indirectly demonstrated by weight loss,

change in eating habits, lethargy, and change in behavior, and reluctance to engage in the human–

animal bond.

Pain is both a condition and a symptom. It needs to be dealt with in its own right, and the underlying cause

needs to be discovered and dealt with. Sometimes, it’s a chronic issue that needs continued pain man-

agement (ie: arthritis).

Here are some of the things to watch for:

QuickTakes Know the Signs

Find the Source

Deal with the issues

Behavior Change in normal behavior or development of new behaviors (hiding, avoidance)

Activity Less general activity Reduced social interaction Unwillingness to play Hesitation or unwilling to go up/down stairs

Potty Habits Less frequent defecation House soiling Difficulty accessing litter box

Grooming Decreased self-grooming, matted fur Overgrooming or licking of painful areas

Posture Difficulty standing Hunched, lowered head Sitting or lying differently/abnormally Body language or facial expression indicating discomfort

Response to handling Avoidance of manipulation during exam Aversion to petting or grooming Vocalization when painful area is touched

Pain-response actions Scooting, licking or chewing painful area Aggression or irritability when approached or touched Difficulty finding comfortable position

Mobility Limping, bilateral stiffness, gait abnormalities Difficulty standing, walking, taking stairs or getting up Diminished running and jumping Reluctance to walk on slippery surfaces

Vocalization Whimpering, yelping or hissing when painful area touched or manipulated Decreased greetings

Sleeping Habits Disruption in sleep patterns Constant shifting to change limb and joint angles

Facial Expression (acute

pain)

Ears drawn back Brow furrowed Lips drawn back Squinting

MPV Newsletter August/September 2019 p5

It's not true that pet birds are easier to take care

of than dogs and most cats. A cage for a para-

keet doesn't take up much room, but an

adequate macaw cage can take up most of your

living room, and ideally a cage should only be

viewed as a bird's bedroom (like a dog crate);

birds needs a lot of exercise outside of a cage.

A bird, more than any other type of pet, requires

you to make some changes in your life. As a result,

far too many people wind up relinquishing their

birds. Here are ten things you should know about

keeping a bird as a pet.

Birds can live a looong time! Be prepared for a

lifetime commitment with some species.

Birds like to wake with the sunrise, bright & early.

Birds have a very sensitive respiratory system.

Scents that can make your bird ill, or even kill

him, include: cigarette smoke (even on your

hands after you smoked), chemical cleaners,

the odorless fumes from non-stick cookware.

Air Fresheners, Scented Oils & Candles.

Birds require special diets, with research for

your bird’s particular requirements.

A Bird Can Be a Noisy Pet. A bird chirps,

tweets, and chatters all day long.

Birds Aren’t Social Pets, But They Can Be. A

bird is not a domesticated pet. It will take a lot

of work as you handle your bird and socialize

her in order to finally get her to view you as a

friend.

A Bird Needs to Be Monitored When Out of Her

Cage. She can damage everything from your

curtains to your couch and pillows - and any-

thing else she can get her beak on.

Daily cage cleaning is a chore, plus you'll end

up having to wash the walls and floors around

the cage regularly.

Birds require a tremendous amount of environ-

mental enrichment to prevent boredom and

destructive behaviors (which can manifest as

behavior problems or physically self-destructive

behaviors). Toys, training sessions, and playtime

with you are essential.

Be sure to talk

to your vet

about avian

first aid for

some of the

most common

emergencies

such as

bleeding,

animal bites,

burns,

fractures,

seizures, and

respiratory

distress

Keep a first aid

kit on hand.

Photos are rescued birds at AJ’s Monkeys & Sloths in Hondorus, February 2019

MPV Newsletter August/September 2019 p6

Veterinary Care by Appointment Only

Medical & Wellness Surgery Dental

Diagnostic Imaging PennHip Testing

2255 Mill Pond Road, Quakertown, PA 18951 215.536.4443 reception@mpvclinic.com www.millpondvetclinic.com

Small Animal Rehab by Appointment Only

Exercise, Massage Underwater Treadmill

Stem Cell Therapy

Chiropractic Care & more!

Boarding by Appointment Only

Drop-off/Pick up

Mon - Sat 9:00 - 12 noon or

3:00-6:00 pm

Sun 4:00 - 6:00 pm

Training by Appointment Only

Puppy Training

Private Lessons Group Obedience Classes

Agility Training

Daycare by Appointment Only

Mon-Sat 8:00 am-6:00 pm

Walking your dog can be a relaxing, enjoyable activity for both of you!

Begin with Good, Consistent Training. Your dog will be happier if he knows what is expected, and you will

be happier if he’s not pulling you down the sidewalk. Begin your walk in calm state

Don’t open the door or leave the house until dog is calmly sitting.

Go through the door before your dog.

Controlled Walks: Your dog walking calmly on loose leash by your side, not out in front/pulling. (The

use of a controlled walk provides leadership, safety, and comfort to a dog. A walk with the dog

reacting, overly excited, out in front, pulling … does not help a dog achieve or maintain stability)

Always Ask Before allowing your dog to approach a person or another dog. Sometimes they say no

because their dog is protective and they don’t want your dog to get hurt.

Make sure your dog is comfortable before allowing someone or another dog to approach. Pay attention

to your dog’s body language: Tail wagging? Cringing? Relaxed? Stressed?

Request others to abide by your dog rules, such as waiting until your pup sits to reward her with petting

(which is a great way to help keep your dog from jumping on people).

When you get a chance, and if your dog is behaving well, relax and enjoy a long walk. Give your dog time

for important canine activities, such as bathroom breaks and sniffing to see who’s been around. Walks can

also be a good time for bonding with your dog, as you enjoy meandering around the neighborhood park

together.

At Mill Pond, we offer puppy and private training year round, and group classes in the spring, summer and

fall. Until you’re able to start officially training, be consistent and calm. Everyone should be using the same

commands, or your pup will be confused over what is expected.

Advanced

Class Trip to the

Bethlehem

Steel Stacks

August 2019