Obesity
Obesity is a serious disease that has a negative impact on the overall health of the animal and increases their risk of developing chronic health problems including endocrine disorders, cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, orthopedic diseases, metabolic disorders and lowered immunity. New research has shown than 40% of dogs and 46% of cats have problems maintaining a healthy weight and are classified as overweight or obese. Don’t let your pet be one of these statistics! Make an appointment today with one of our vets for advice on a diet tailored to your pet’s needs.
Stress & Anxiety
Loud noises associated with fireworks, firecrackers and storms often cause your animals to become distressed, commonly causing the following symptoms :
- Drooling
- tremors
- Panting
- Hiding behavior
- Howling
- Barking
- Attachment to owner
DAP ® (for dogs) and Feliway (for cats) can help alleviate these symptoms by releasing pheromones through a diffuser in a natural and safe way. It has been shown to be highly effective and can be used as a one-off during the event or in the days leading up to an event.
In addition to using DAP/Feliway you can take the following steps:
- put your pet into a darkened room with his favorite toys
- do not show your concern and act as if nothing has happened
- do not punish your pet if it is frightened as this only confirms that there is something to fear
- do not overly stroke your pet because it will read as a reward , strengthening its stress response
KalmAid is an alternative medication. It is a tasty caramel syrup with an effective fast-acting formula that promotes relaxation and reduces nervous irritability. It is suitable for use in situations provoking fear (eg. thunderstorms, fireworks) but also those that lead to restlessness and anxiety (new surroundings, separation from owner, travel) and to deal with behavioral problems.
For long-term use in animals with a nervous disposition, a change in diet to Royal Canin Calm could be beneficial. The unique formula of Royal Canin Calm provides the body with the ingredients necessary for the synthesis of serotonin – a hormone that regulates mood, affects behavior and is responsible for proper sleep. In addition Calm contains natural substances obtained from milk to act as a mild sedative. The diet is designed for adult dogs weighing up to 15 kg (RC Calm dogs) and adult cats (RC Calm cats).
Behavioral therapy is also a good option for those pets with a strong fear response to stressful situations. Our clinic can recommend several outstanding behavioral therapists for your pet; just give us a call or pop in to see us.
We have all of the above products available for purchase from our clinic.
