Lights, Camera, Action! (part 2)
By Bill Stork, DVM
After much ado (see part 1), Lisa Steffl asked: What should we do to prepare our pets for warm weather?
I was grateful for the question, as it brought up a vital talking point that had previously been underserved.
As I write, the wind chill is -14, making it hard to imagine that the first ticks are less than a month away. Retired teachers overwinter in Arizona, Texas and Florida; ticks hunker down under pine bark, needles, dander and leaves. As soon as the snow shrinks away, they are literally out for blood. Mosquitoes won't be too far behind, carrying heartworm larvae far and wide. In order to ensure your pets were not exposed to heartworm disease or Lyme and other tick-borne diseases, last spring through November, it is important for them to be tested yearly, and protected against new exposures.
One of the splendors yet to be realized of winter 2014 is the first short-sleeve day. Every man, woman, child and dog will be outside from dawn 'til dusk. A parent's dream; a vet’s fret.
Mike McCarthy would not gather the Green Bay Packers on Sunday morning, and then suit up and play the Chicago Bears that afternoon. It is equally concerning for Leon the Labrador to go from couch to dog park, overnight. Our associate, Dr. Deanna Clark, CCRT, points out that during a two mile walk for mom and dad, an off-leash Lassie following her nose will travel a marathon, 26.2 miles.
We have a tendency to assume they will know when to quit. Not so much. A high-drive Jack Russell Terrier will chase a ball until Aaron Rodgers' right arm falls off his shoulder. Those first outings of spring our canine athletes are at their peak weight and least fitness. We see an abundance of knee, hip and shoulder injuries just as the grass turns green.
The injuries that take place under the dog's own power are painful for your pet and expensive for the owner, but carry the best prognosis for return to the field. HBCs (hit by car), HBDB (dune-buggies), HBATV (you get the drift) are much less likely to make it back to the starting lineup, over-represented in the spring, and for the most part, preventable.
I hope to ride the Wright Stuff Century this year on Labor Day Weekend. A winter of writing, watching Olympics and splitting firewood would leave me at war with my saddle if I were to ride farther than the Sentry store this afternoon. If Henry will chase a hundred balls in July, throw twenty for him in March. Think of what would be a normal summer outing, and cut it in fourths.
Be sure and feed several hours before exercise. Don’t forget hydration. Most dogs, with the exception of select Schnauzers, have yet to master the valves on Camelback hydration units. Unlike a horse, you can lead a dog to water and get him to drink. Mix a little low-sodium gravy, tuna juice or canned food with a bowl of water an hour before exercise. In order to avoid gastric bloats and torsions, don’t allow your dog to tank up when they are in the throes of panting.
If all goes well, we will see another 10 days below zero. In doing so, a few more Lyme-infected ticks lying under your pine trees will die, and we will set a 144-year record for days below zero. When this awesome winter relents, we will celebrate green grass and sunshine like it’s 1999.
In the weeks to follow, let the veterinarians and technicians at the Lake Mills Veterinary Clinic fashion a breed and lifestyle dependent vaccination protection plan for your pets. Let Mittsy, our behaviorist, help you with spring challenges from thunderstorm anxiety to leash pulling. We are more than happy to make calorie intake and weight loss suggestions, and Dr. Clark is a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist and sled dog enthusiast, who can make specific recommendations for injury prevention, stretching (yes, stretching), and treatment of injuries.
See you in the sunshine!