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Smoky Air Bad for Pets, Too

As smoke from Canada’s wildfires affects our air quality, we’re not be the only ones feeling the effects. Smoke is hard on pets as well.

Pets with cardiopulmonary conditions are likely to struggle more during poor air quality due to the smoke. Birds are EXTREMELY sensitive. Elderly pets and brachiocephalic (smooshed-face breeds) dogs and cats are also more likely to have problems.

Here are some tips to help your pet.

1. Avoid being outside when the smoke is bad. Your county will issue air quality alerts. Allow only short potty breaks until the air quality conditions are upgraded.

2. Use air conditioners and keep windows closed. You may also need to use quality air filters, as well.

3. Avoid outdoor exercise.

4. Doggy daycare centers with indoor, air-conditioned facilities are a better option than dog parks, right now.

How do you know if your pet is feeling the effect of the smoke? Watch for coughing or gagging, eye irritation and “weepy” appearance, nasal discharge, or asthma-like symptoms. Fatigue and lethargy can be a sign as well. You may also notice that your pet’s appetite for food and water are diminished.

Livestock are particularly vulnerable because they live outside all the time. Avoid “working the herd” until air quality improves. Expect a decrease in egg production from your chickens.

If you feel your pet is experiencing respiratory discomfort to a level that concerns you, please schedule an appointment, or go to a veterinary emergency center, if it’s not during our business hours.

https://www.avma.org/resources/pet-owners/emergencycare/wildfire-smoke-and-animals

Your Pet & Covid-19

Image result for dog with mask on face

Veterinary Medicine, when it formed as an actual profession in the 1800s, was to protect public health, protecting humans from disease by eliminating disease in “food animals”. Today, we view animals very differently, as family members, beloved companions, and “fur-babies”. Public health is still a concern for us, though. We vaccinate pets against diseases, not only to protect THEM, but also to protect YOU!

Our first commitment at LOVH has always been to protect the health and enrich the lives of humans, by securing the blessings to be had from pet ownership and the human bond to animals.

Suggestions & Assurances for our LOVH family during COVID-19

  • According to the information currently available, your dog cannot contract COVID-19. There is a corona virus that dogs and cats can get, but it is not COVID-19, and it is not transmissible to humans.
  • Stay home if you are sick or immune-compromised.
  • DO NOT put the health of your pet out of your mind, at this time. Remember to use monthly heartworm preventatives, and flea and tick preventatives. Fighting a flea infestation is NOT what you want to be doing during a quarantine, and mosquitoes don’t honor quarantines at all, so your pets are as “at risk” as ever!
  • Continue to exercise your dog and get fresh air with them every day. Play games with them. Invent new, safe toys for them. Watch some training videos and learn some new tricks together! Boredom is the greatest cause of behavior problems. (This is true in humans AND in animals!) Teach your kids to teach them tricks, too!
  • Use VetSource! We have our own on-line veterinary pharmacy (www.lovh.com/shop) to get your pet’s medications and prescription diets delivered to your door.
  • Check our web site often for pet related updates.
  • If you do need to come to the clinic for products, medications, etc, and do not want to come in, we can deliver the product to you, curbside, and process a credit card transaction in the parking lot.
  • If you need to bring your pet in, and are concerned about exposure, we can bring you in through our back door and limit (to one or two) the number of people you interact with during your visit. We will wear masks and gloves if, requested.

If you have questions, or have any special need we haven’t addressed in this letter, please give us a call. We will do whatever we can to meet your special need.

Wishing you abundant health and peace,

The Doctors and team members of Lake Orion Veterinary Hospital

You’re going to like this!

HomeDeliveryannounce

LOVH is pleased to add home delivery to our many services.  You can now go on-line and order the products you need, and have them delivered at home. You can even have your pet’s prescriptions refilled! We’re thrilled about this, because so many people like the convenience of an on-line pharmacy, but finding one that is reputable is not easy! It’s really easy–if you are asking for a prescription refill, it has to be approved by Dr. M, for your pet’s safety. Imagine that! That’s just how we do it, if you walk through our door to have prescriptions filled! As soon as he approves it, it is sent right to you.

This is also a great option for some of the pet food products. It will also give you an expanded selection of nutritional products, treats, and flea and tick products that we don’t carry in our “brick & mortar” location, simply because we have limited space for inventory. (I can’t even believe I’m saying that, after our move….”limited space”….wow!)

As always, we strive to offer you all the service you need for your pets.  What services would you like to see added to this incredible line-up?

  • Preventative Medicine
    • Pre-pet counseling to help you choose the right pet for your family
    • Puppy & Kitten Wellness Packages
    • Senior Wellness Packages
    • Nutrition Counseling & Fitness Goals
  • Diagnostics
    • In house laboratory with the latest technology
    • Radiology
    • Ultrasound
  • Surgery
    • Advanced anesthetic techniques
    • Complete cardiac monitoring
  • Dental Services
    • Dental Cleaning
    • Extractions
    • Digital Dental Radiography
  • Palliative Care
  • Euthanasia, Cremation and Burial Services
  • House calls by appointment