Also known as International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day, National Dog Biscuit Day is always celebrated on February 23^rd each year. Whether the origin for the “holiday” was created by a dog biscuit manufacturer, a dog lover or perhaps a dog loving organization is unknown. One thing is definite about National Dog Biscuit Day: this is a day for chrerishing the dogs at Have A Heart Animal Hospital: bring in your pooch on February 23^rd for a special dog biscuit treat! Visit Kids Corner for a “Dog Biscuit Day Craft”!

The winning photograph will be featured in the lobby of our hospital as well as on our Facebook page, our hospital newsletter, and our website home page. Don’t have a photo you want to submit? Then participate by voting! Just make sure you’re our “Fan” on Facebook and vote on our “Spring Fever Contest” page for all the photos you like! The pet with the most votes by April 16, 2012 wins! So, tell all your friends, neighbors, co-workers and family to catch “Spring Fever” with us.

Photo entries should be submitted between February 15th – March 15th. by using the entry form on our Facebook page.

Here’s how it works on our Facebook page:

1. Become our Facebook fan (just click “Like” under the first posting on our Facebook wall)
2. Go to the “Spring Fever Contest” page (contest button is on the left side of our Facebook page)
3. Submit your pet’s photo—ANY photo you think other fans will adore—February 15, 2012-March 15, 2012.
4. VOTE! March 16, 2012-April 16, 2012.

Over the past 2-3 years, hospital owner, David McGrath DVM, has been watching the trends as new companies have emerged, in some cases overshadowing the “old timers” of the pet insurance industry. There are so many different features to each insurance company’s plans, that it is almost impossible to compare “apples” to “apples” in order for clients to make an informed decision. Some won’t cover certain breeds; some will only cover dogs or only cats; some will only cover puppies and kittens; and others will only cover a pet under age 7. It is a huge challenge for anyone trying to find a good plan for his/her pet(s) AND also be able to understand what is included!

In an attempt to rescue our clients from this maze of information, after extensive research and consideration Have A Heart Animal Hospital are pleased to announce Trupanion as the insurance of choice. The decision is based on many things, including the expeditious manner in which Trupanion reimburses policyholders based on actual veterinary cost. The Trupanion Policy Overview states “Trupanion covers 90% of the actual costs of veterinary care should a pet become sick or injured. This includes diagnostic testing, surgeries, medications, supplements, therapeutic food, orthotic devices, prosthetic devices, and carts. Pet owners can choose any veterinarian, including emergency veterinary clinics and veterinary specialists.” Trupanion provides free online and phone customer service support 24/7 and we feel this is very important for our clients. If you have an insurance question, you need help now—not tomorrow after 9am!

As a Have A Heart Animal Hospital client, you are eligible for a 30 Day Trial of Trupanion at no obligation. The special 30 Day Trial Registration Forms are available only at the hospital. Clients are strongly encouraged to contact Trupanion directly as soon as the 30 Day Trial is initiated, in order to learn as much information as possible by speaking with a Trupanion Customer Service Representative. Click here for an overview of Trupanion coverage, or visit them online at Truanion.com.

To obtain your no cost Trupanion 30 Day Trial Registration Form, contact Have A Heart Animal Hospital (978-373-4422 or info@haveaheartanimal.com

February 2nd – Groundhog Day

February 20th – Love your pet day

Love Your Pet Day is the official day to pamper your pet with a little extra love! Your pet brings a smile to your face when you’re having a rough day, curls up next to you on the couch when you’re feeling lonely, and loves you unconditionally. They certainly deserve a whole day of love and attention!

Pets provide excellent social support, stress relief, and many other health benefits to their owners — even more so than human companions! Research shows that when people had to perform a stressful task, they experienced less stress when their pets were with them than when a supportive friend or even their spouse was present. So whether you have a cat, dog, hamster, or goldfish, make sure they get lots of extra love from you today!

Here are some ideas you can try to make Love Your Pet Day a special day:

• Take your pet to do his favorite activity, whether it be running around the park or taking a drive in the car.
• Try cooking up a tasty treat made from meat, rice and/or vegetables. (Just stay away from onions, peppers, garlic, and spices which may upset your pet’s stomach).
• Bring home a new toy or treat.
• Sign your pet up for a day of grooming or do it yourself. If you really want to go all out, you can book him in a pet spa.
• Don’t forget the pets that are still looking for homes. Adopt a pet or donate a bag of pet food to your local shelter.
• Single out your pet owner friends by sending them a card (or e-card) reminding them to celebrate the day.
• If you don’t know your pet’s birthday (and many of us don’t), make Feb. 20th the day to celebrate his arrival into the world.

February 22nd – Spay Day

Spaying or neutering your pet is an important decision for pet owners. As animal lovers who value our pets, it is important to understand the impact of this decision.

Spaying is a general term used to describe the ovariohysterectomy (removal of uterus and ovaries) of a female animal. Neutering is a general term used to describe the castration (removal of the testicles) of a male animal. The surgical procedure, performed by a veterinarian, renders the animal unable to reproduce. Through spaying/neutering, you can help your dog or cat live a happier, healthier, longer life.

Better Health

• Spaying eliminates the constant crying and nervous pacing of a female cat in heat.
• Spaying a female dog also eliminates the messiness associated with the heat cycle.
• Spaying females prior to their first heat cycle nearly eliminates the risk of mammary cancer and totally prevents uterine cancer and uterine infections, such as pyometra.
• Neutering of male dogs and cats can prevent certain undesirable sexual behaviors, such as urine marking, humping, male aggression and the urge to roam. If you have more than one pet in your household, all the pets will generally get along better if they are neutered.
• Neutering males prevents testicular cancer and enlargement of the prostate gland, and greatly reduces their risk for perianal tumors.

Overpopulation

Whether you own a pet or not, everyone is affected by animal overpopulation. Millions of tax dollars are spent annually to shelter and care for stray, abandoned and unwanted pets. Much of that money is spent to euthanize these animals when homes cannot be found.

In the United States alone, there are an estimated 6-8 million homeless animals entering animal shelters every year. Approximately 3.7 million animals are euthanized at shelters each year, due to the sheer fact that there are not enough willing adopters. Many of these animals are young, healthy pets who would have made great companions. They are not the offspring of homeless “street” animals—these are the puppies and kittens of cherished family pets and even purebreds. In fact, 25 percent of shelter dogs are purebreds.

Many people believe that their pet’s puppies or kittens would never become homeless shelter animals. But the reality is that even if they are placed into homes, it is still possible for them to end up in shelters once they become “hard to handle,” or for them to reproduce further and for the next generation of puppies or kittens to wind up homeless. Spaying and neutering is the only permanent, 100-percent effective method of birth control for dogs and cats.

www.americanhumane.org

February 23rd – Dog Biscuit Day

February 27th – International Polar Bear Day

Coming up in March…

3/5 – Iditarod Sled Dog Race Begins

3/6-12 – National Professional Pet Sitters Week

3/23 – National Puppy Day

The overall benefits of y/d Prescription Diet are:

• Limit the iodine intake of hyperthyroid cats in order to control thyroid hormone production
• Improve thyroid health in 3 weeks
• Restore thyroid health , with no pilling necessary!
• Provide complete daily nutrition that tastes good to cats

For more information, go to HillsVet.com or call us today at 978-373-4422 to speak to your veterinarian. 

When is a Pet Considered "Senior"?

We generally consider dogs to be "seniors" at age 7 and cats after age 10.  Keep in mind, smaller breeds of dogs tend to live longer than larger breeds, and cats live longer than dogs.  Beyond that, the life span will vary with each individual, and your veterinarian is your best source for more information to determine when your pet reaches the golden years.

Senior Health Exams

Scheduling regular veterinary examinations is one of the most important steps pet owners can take to keep their pets in tip-top shape.  When dogs and cats enter their senior years, these health examinations are more important than ever.  Senior care, which starts with the regular veterinary exam, is needed to catch and delay the onset or progress of disease.  We recommend that healthy senior dogs over the age of 10 and cats over the age of 14 visit the veterinarian every six months for a complete exam and laboratory testing.  Keep in mind that every year for a dog or cat is equivalent to 5-7 human years.  During the senior health exam, your veterinarian will ask you a series of questions regarding any changes in your pet’s activity and behavior. The veterinarian will also conduct a complete examination of all of your pet’s body systems along with blood work that is comprised of several diagnostic screens.

Testing

Laboratory testing is also a key component of the senior exam.  Physical examinations can only detect diseases that produce clinical signs. However, recent advances in diagnostic blood screening, urinalysis and EKG screening now make it possible to detect many "aging conditions" long before clinical signs are present. When problems such as kidney disease, liver disease, heart disease, thyroid abnormalities, anemia, diabetes, and glaucoma can be caught early, the appropriate steps can be taken (such as dietary changes or medications) to either reverse the problem or at least slow down the progression. These diagnostic tools, allow us to be proactive rather than reactive, to provide more customized recommendations to provide the best life possible for your pet.