Open House Recap
Thanks to everyone who joined us during our first Open House event. Despite some rain, we enjoyed a great afternoon. Visitors were able to tour the practice facility, learn about parasites, Fear Free and the importance of the physical exam. They were also able to visit with some of the less common companion animals that we treat at CAVA, including rabbits, ferrets, hedgehogs, and bearded dragons.
We appreciate the support of the following businesses – Pinewood Kennels, Veterinary Specialty Center of DE, Concord Pets, Bow Tie Atticus, and Saveway Compounding Pharmacy. We were able to raise $102 to support Tanner’s Endless Love Rescue through ticket sales from our gift basket raffles. Frenzy and Rogue, guided by their handler Laura, were a big hit as they demonstrated the sport of disc dog.
Fear Free at CAVA
We treat patients of all life stages at CAVA. Often, our senior patients require some special considerations. Older cats often benefit from more comfortable surfaces, so we have a variety of cat beds to utilize during our outpatient appointments. Calming music specific for our feline friends as well as our Feliway pheromone products also help to produce a more relaxed visit.
Senior dogs often have mobility limitations. Our front exam room is equipped with an exterior door which provides an opportunity for these dogs to come directly into the exam room without having to walk across the length of the waiting area. Some of our senior patients have trouble sitting still for prolonged periods of time. Often we will perform the physical exam in multiple small sections, allowing our patients to take frequent breaks during their visits.
In addition, we provide a variety of non slip surfaces to facilitate comfort on the scales, on the exam tables, as well as on the floor. Our goal is to have each patient experience a comfortable and stress free visit with us.
Senior Pets and Osteoarthritis
Many of our senior pets are affected by osteoarthritis, a degenerative condition that affects the joints. This condition can affect the knees, hips, elbows and spine of patients of all breeds and sizes. Osteoarthritis is a painful condition, but signs of discomfort can be more difficult to assess in our canine and feline companions. Our pets are generally much more compensatory about painful conditions and do not vocalize or verbalize their discomfort. If your pet holds a limb up off the ground, is slow to rise or lay down, hesitates with steps, paces before laying down to sleep, generally pants more heavily, or has trouble getting into and out of the litter box, then they are likely experiencing some level of discomfort.
Often, changes need to be made in the home environment to help address this degenerative disease. Feeding dishes and stations may need to be modified so that pets can reach them more easily. Non skid rugs and area carpets can be placed near feeding dishes, at the bottom of steps, and on non carpeted surfaces to help improve footing. The long hairs on the feet of dogs can be trimmed from in between the pads to help improve general traction. Ramps and small portable steps can be used to assist dogs with getting into vehicles, into and out of the house, and onto and off of furniture.
Body harnesses can be utilized in older pets to help assist with stability as well as mobility. Especially for our larger canine patients, these body harnesses can greatly facilitate mobility and overall quality of life. We recommend the Help Em up Harness- click the link for more information! https://helpemup.com/
Luckily we have a wide array of treatment options to help manage our patients with osteoarthritis. There are a variety of pain medications available and for use in both dogs and cats. Physical therapy can be utilized to help strengthen muscles and improve normal range of motion. Neutraceutical joint supplements can improve the health of the joint fluid and cartilage within the joints. Non conventional therapies such as acupuncture can also be beneficial for some patients.
If we haven’t seen your senior pet recently to discuss osteoarthritis, schedule an appointment today.
World Rabies Day
September 28th is World Rabies Day which aims to raise awareness about the prevention of this deadly disease for people and pets. As a pet owner the best thing you can do is maintain current Rabies vaccinations for your companions. By Delaware law all dogs, cats and ferrets are required to have a current rabies vaccination. Having your pets vaccinated not only helps to prevent them from contracting rabies; it also helps to protect you and your family from this life threatening disease.
Rabies Facts:
- Rabies is a deadly virus that can be prevented with appropriate vaccination
- Rabies is most common among wild animals such as raccoons, bats, skunks and foxes.
- Among domestic animals, feral cats are most frequently diagnosed with rabies in Delaware
- There were 19 confirmed cases of rabies in DE in 2018 and 14 confirmed cases in DE in 2017
Do You Know an Animal Hero?
The Delaware Veterinary Medical Association (DVMA) is looking for nominations for their 7th Annual Animal Hero Awards. These awards are presented to animals (and their owners) that have demonstrated exemplary behavior in at least one of four main categories. Nominees may be any companion animal and not limited to dogs.
- Hero – has saved or preserved a life/lives
- Service/Working – has demonstrated extraordinary deeds as a private or public service/working animal
- Companion – has provided a benefit to their human companions or community
- Therapy – has demonstrated significantly impressive work as a therapy animal
All applicants MUST have a letter of recommendation from their veterinarian. Every applicant must have a Delaware connection but it is not required that they live in Delaware.
Please find application materials on the DVMA webpage: devma.org/page/Awards
Accepting New Patients
One of the best compliments that we can receive is the personal referral of your friends and family. If you have had a positive visit with us, please take the time to share your experience with others. There are several easy ways that you can help spread the word about Companion Animal Veterinary Associates.
On Facebook: http://facebook.com/CAVAvet
- Check in when you arrive for a visit
- Leave a review or recommendation
- Like and follow our page
On Google: Search for our business and leave a review
On Yelp: Search for our business and leave a review
