The summer heat is upon us. Which if you are like me, you're excited for the sun and warmth.  And as the temps start to rise, we have to be very careful and mindful about not only ourselves but also our animals. 
 Overheating can and will happen very quickly. Make sure you do NOT leave your dogs or cats in locked cars, even for a quick trip inside the store. Temps inside a car, even with the windows cracked can rise very quickly. 

• In the first 10 minutes after the car is parked and locked up can rise 19 degrees above what the temps are outside.  Say it's 80 degrees outside, inside the car that's been parked for 20 minutes will raise to 109 degrees.
  

  we want to always provide shade, lots of clean, cool water to drink. We might need to change that water out throughout the day, and if possible, air conditioning or fans.  Important note to remember, brachiocephalic dogs (short nose dogs), obese and those under 6 months old will overheat even faster.  Stay cool friends. 

 The Easter Bunny is coming!  As you and your family are preparing for the Easter celebrations, don't forget to remember how you will keep your family pets safe and happy as well.
​ This Is My Food Not Yours 
  Many of our Easter treats and traditions can be dangerous to animals. Some of our favorite foods can be toxic, such as chocolate, onions, garlic, and xylitol.  Other favorite foods can upset their stomachs and aren't healthy for them to eat. 
  Some common Easter foods you should keep away from your pets include:

• Deviled eggs
• Ham
• Cookies
• Cakes
• Chocolates
• Candy
• Mashed/twice-baked potatoes
• Green beans, if prepared with butter, or bacon grease (plain green beans are safe to share with your dogs and are a great treat)
• Alcohol

House Rules
 Having friends and family over for Easter dinner has always been a fun tradition in our home as I'm sure the same for a lot of you as well.  Setting some house rules for your guests is a good idea to help your animals from getting "treats" they shouldn't have. 
 Examples are....​

• No feeding them from the table
• No candy
• Don't leave the door/gate open
• Don't leave your plate unattended 
• Don't leave your drink where they can get into it

 Egg Hunting Time 
 Finding Easter Eggs is so much fun for kids and families. For some dogs it can overstimulating with the kids running, laughing, yelling and racing around finding the eggs. If this is the case for your dog, it might be a good idea to put them up or on a leash to keep them safe. Dogs might starts running, nipping, or gripping the eggs themselves and not wanting to release them. 
 Make sure you know exactly how many eggs were hidden and found to ensure that none have been left where your dog can find them later, and check your yard for candy wrappers. 
Easter Lilies and other toxic plants
 Easter Lilies are beautiful but they are highly toxic to cats and dogs and ingested can lead to kidney failure. 
Some other beautiful but toxic Easter plants are

• Daffodils
• Tulips
• Lilies
• Hyacinth
• Gladiolus
• Chrysanthemum
• Iris
• Hydrangea
• Amaryllis
• Azalea

 Pet Safe Alternatives

• Roses
• Sunflowers
• Zinnia
• Petunia
• Tickseed
• African Violets
• Gerber Daisy
• Snapdragon
• Alstroemeria(dogs only)

Dog/Cat safe Easter Basket 
 A great alternative and a way to refocus your dogs attention, is to give them their own pet safe Easter basket. Filling it with treats and toys just for them. 
Have you heard of a Snuffle Mat? It's a great toy that you can sprinkle their food in or hide their treats in, that stimulates their minds, That would be awesome to put in their Easter Basket.  You can find them on Amazon for dogs and cats. 
  
  Fun and safe time for everyone in the family 
We hope you have a wonderful holiday with your whole family, no matter how many legs they have.  If you do find that your dog or cat had gotten into food they shouldn't of plants, please don't wait for your regular vet to open back up during their normal business hours, contact your local emergency clinics and get them help and relief as soon as possible. If you are here in the Lakeway area you can contact Five Rivers Pet Emergency Hospital at (423)581-9492 or Animal Emergency and Specialty Center of Knoxville at (865)693-4440  

Say "Cheese Please!" 
  Many of our fluffy friends not only share our homes and hearts with us; they also sleep with us and snuggle on the couch with us, give us kisses when we get back home or want to lick you after you get out of the shower.  Of course we love the affection ....unless their breath smells horrible. Its hard to get love'n when they smell like they've been eating garbage or  worse!
​

 Contrary to popular belief, "doggy breath" is not normal. In fact, it could be one of the first signs that your furry pal is developing dental disease.   Dental disease is the most common chronic disease in our dog and cat patients. Most animals suffer without complaint, but there are some outward signs that can help clue you in that dental disease is becoming a problem. One of the first signs might be reluctant to eat dry food, possibly pawing at the mouth, licking the air, drooling. More subtle changes such as hiding, decreased playfulness, or weight loss.
 By the age of three, most dogs and cats have some degree of dental disease. Early detection of your pet's dental disease is vital. If left untreated, it will progress to cause chronic pain and inflammation.  To detect dental disease before it becomes a problem for your pets health we recommend yearly preventive exams, from nose to toes.   

Dogs usually develop periodontal disease from accumulation of dental calculus, as pictured. Food, bacteria, and other debris collect on the surface of the teeth, gradually hardening over time into a cement-like material.  This causes irritation to the gums called gingivitis, which leads to gum recession and even bone loss.  By the time this happens, they have such severe disease that many have loose teeth that have to be extracted surgically. 

 Cats on the other hand, are less commonly affected by periodontal disease from calculus. Instead, they get a variety of cat-specific disease such as resorptive lesions and stomatitis. In these diseases, the teeth and or the gums and painful and inflamed. Cats with these issues often show up with bright red gums or even teeth that are partly eaten away. 

Animals are experts at hiding signs of pain, so when they are hurting it may go unnoticed by you for some time. Instead, you may see that your pet is increasingly irritable and lethargic, decreased appetite. 
 We recommend those yearly exams, and dentals yearly or when your veterinarian recommends. 
 In the meantime there are some things that can be done at home. 

• Start brushing your dog or cat's teeth when they are young! This can be a challenge for older pet but the younger you start it will become routine.  Remember to use pet toothpaste as human toothpaste has xylitol in it and that is toxic to pets. Daily brushing is optimal but three times to once a week would make a big difference. 
• Try some proven treats, supplements, and food that can help to decrease the development of pets dental disease.  The Veterinary Oral Health Council  vohc.org/accepted-products/#dogs  has links to products for dogs and cats that have been studied and shown to be effective. These are veterinary dentist recommended.
•  Feed dry food instead of canned.  Canned food is more likely to stick to teeth, causing the build-up of food material that leads to tartar and plaque. Of course, please! If your pet needs canned food for medical reasons, feed them was your veterinarian recommends.  

    If you have questions, please have that conversation with your veterinarian. Some pets have been blessed by the gods and have excellent oral health, most require dental cleanings under anesthesia. Having your yearly checkups and doing dental cleanings early enough, can actually peep your pet in better health for their lives. 

 Tis the season 
 I love Christmas time! It's one of the best times of the year...in my humble opinion.  Our pets get to be a sweet part of the family gatherings. But for some pets that can be stressful. Cats may need a safe place to go hide and dogs also may need a place where it's calmer for them to decompress.  
Abrupt changes to their normal routine may cause GI issues. So be on the watch out for those signs. Also keep plants such as poinsettias out of reach, as they are toxic. Be extra careful with foods such as raisins, grapes, onions, and chocolate. And with guests coming to your homes, make sure they keep their purses closed or in a closed room, as many people carry aspirin, prescription drugs, snacks, and gum in them.
 And if we've learned anything from National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, keep the dogs out of the trash, and no feeding them under the table HAHA. 
 We wish everyone, no matter if they have two legs, three legs lol, or four and happy and healthy holidays. 

 Spooky season is upon us, and all the fun and treats that goes with it.  You know the saying, "all things in moderation"? Well that doesn't apply to our pets. No matter how much they beg, your dog should NOT get treats out of the Halloween candy. Some types of candy can make your dog very ill and can even be fatal, especially dark chocolate and those containing xylitol. 
 Chocolate
 Chocolate is the more common cause for concern, particularly since it is widely available and smells so yummy and temping. Generally, the darker the chocolate the more toxic it is; milk chocolate is safer than semi-sweet, which is less toxic than dark, which is less toxic than baker's chocolate. But all is still a risk. 
 The amount of chocolate and size of the dog matters too.  If small dog like a chihuahua eats 20 bars of milk chocolate, they are going to be in trouble, but on the same note if a lovable lab eats a fun-sized bar of milk chocolate, he is likely going to be fine. 
 What makes chocolate toxic to dogs anyway.
  Chocolate contains several active chemicals, including theobromine and caffeine. Dogs are not designed to metabolize these as well as humans, meaning that these chemicals are a lot more powerful in dogs.
  What are the signs of toxicity?
 Chocolate toxicity can vary from dog to dog, depending on the type and amount of chocolate ingested. The symptoms may take several hours to develop, so don't assume that just because your dog "looks and acts normal" , that all is well. 
 In minor cases, a dog with chocolate toxicity may only show: 
 * Vomiting
 *Diarrhea
 *Restlessness
 *Panting
 *Excessive Thirst
 *Urination
 *High Heart Rate
 Some dogs will go on to show more severe signs, including muscle tremors, seizures, heart failure, and death.  Even if your dog has eaten a small amount of chocolate, contact your vet. 
  Chocolate-Covered Raisins
 Chocolate-covered raisins unfortunately combine two problems for out pets: the toxicity of the chocolate and the risk associated with eating raisins.  We don't know exactly why, but some dogs will become severely ill- and even die of kidney disease- from eating even one raisin or grape.
 Signs can be very similar to chocolate toxicity, but they often will focus on extreme thirst and urination, poor appetite, vomiting, and lethargy.
 It is important  to have your dog checked out immediately if they have eaten any amount of raisins or grapes, including chocolate-covered raisins.
  Hard Candies
 Hard candies can be problematic for dogs, especially the sugar-free varieties that may contain xylitol. Even a very small amount of xylitol can cause a severe drop in blood sugar in dogs, which can also lead to seizures, coma, and death. If you think your dog has eaten even a single sugar-free hard candy, call your vet. 
 Hard candies can also lead to choking and can result in obstructions if multiple candies "stick together" once they get to the stomach. Because the candy is slippery when wet, it can also easily be inhaled into the windpipe, obstructing breathing.  
​ Dogs that eat just a few hard candies might be fine, might have an upset stomach but if that candy contains xylitol, they may be in for some trouble. Vomiting, diarrhea, can progress to to lethargy, a loss of appetite, restlessness, pain in their abdomen.  Worst case senecio they might develop seizures or other neurological signs. 
 Sugary Candies
 High sugary candies like candy corn, peeps aren't considered toxic, but can certainly make them sick and upset their digestive tract. They can have gas, bloating, diarrhea. Sensitive dogs can have inflammation in their intestinal tract and may lead to pancreatitis.  That can sometimes be fatal and requires treatment. 
 What to do if your dog gets into the candy?
 Call your veterinarian or the emergency veterinary clinic in your area. There are also several hotlines, including those operated by the ASPCA and Connect with a Vet(Chewy)  be sure you are seeking advice from a veterinary-specific hotline. 
Remember don't panic! Your pet can sense your emotions. Stay calm and work through the situation to help your vet help you. 
 Keeping Pets Safe During Halloween
 An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of treatment. Be sure to Keep ALL candy up and out of reach of your pets. It is safest to simply not have anything highly toxic to your pet in the house. Don't buy dark chocolate or xylitol candy. 
  Identification
 *Make sure your pets have identification. Microchip, a collar that's not to loose or to tight, You should be able to fir two fingers in between your pets neck and the collar, not your whole hand. An ID tag that will make it easy for someone to contact you and return them home in case they escape through an open door while you're taking care of trick-or-treaters.
 *Keep lit candles, jack-o-lanterns, and other Halloween decorations out of reach of pets.  
 *Keep glow sticks away from pets, when chewed, glow stick items can release liquid that tastes really bad and can make them drool excessively or act strangely (though it isn't likely to be harmful). 
 *If your pet is wary of strangers or has a tendency to bite, put them in a room away from the front door during trick-or-treating hours, or provide them with a safe hiding place.
​ *keep your pet indoors. 

sources -petmd.com, avma.org

 If you are like me, I love spring and all the flowers that come with this season of new growth. But with that, I love my animals more and we have to be extra careful letting the flowers and animals be together. 
 It's Easter time and Lilies are a favorite but they can pose a serious danger to your cat or dog. 
 Not all lilies are dangerous, and it's important to know the difference. The following lilies are HIGHLY TOXIC to cats and dogs! Even small ingestions of the petals, leaves or even the pollen and water that collects in their container can result in severe, acute kidney failure. Also, dogs who dig up lily tubers can be harmed. 
  List Of Dangerous Lilies 
 The more dangerous, potentially fatal lilies are true lilies of the Lilium or Hemerocallis species. Examples of some of these dangerous lilies include the following:

•  Easter lilies
• Star lilies
• Lily of the Valley
• Glory lilies 
• Tiger lilies 
• Day lilies
• Asiatic hybrid lilies 
• Japanese show lilies 
• Rubrum lilies
• Stargazer lilies
• Red lilies 
• Western lilies
• Wood lilies 

  If you suspect your dog or cat has ingested a dangerous amount of lily, they may start vomiting, foaming at the mouth, hiding, distress or difficulty breathing. Immediate treatment for poisoning from a true lily is essential, so if you suspect lily toxicity, please bring your pet and a portion of the plant to us or the emergency clinic right away. 
  List of Less-Dangerous Lilies
  While not completely harmless, the following lilies pose less threat to a cat:

•  Peace lilies
• Peruvian lilies
• Calla lilies
• Rain lilies
• Cranium lilies

   However, these "benign" types of lilies can cause minor symptoms including tissue irritation to the mouth, tongue, pharynx, and esophagus. If your cat eats a benign lily, have them flush out their mouth with something appetizing such as broth and call us or the emergency clinic if the symptoms persist.
 I've provided a list of plants that you should keep away from animals and a list that is pet friendly plants for you. We want to keep our furry friends safe and also enjoy the beautiful plants this world of ours has to offer.
Happy Easter everyone. 
​                      ~~Wendi 

   Tick season is gearing up now that the weather is getting nicer and our pets want to be outside more just like us.  It is important for to understand the risks ticks. 
  Tick bites on both pets and humans can lead to Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, which cause very dangerous and uncomfortable symptoms such as anemia, arthritis and even paralysis. Understandably ticks are something we want to avoid at all costs.  Let's go over some facts about ticks.
   Ticks are ectoparasites, which means they live by feeding on the blood of mammals, birds and sometimes reptiles and amphibians. They attach by inserting their mouthparts into the skin. Many ticks additionally secrete a sticky substance that keeps them attached.  Where ticks attach themselves, the spots can become red and irritated, but that might be hard to see on animals depending on their fur and skin color.
   Let's talk about prevention
​  The best way to keeps ticks off your pets is with preventions, because even indoor only pets can still come in contact with those creepy crawlers. We recommend a prescription medicine prevent both ticks and fleas. (examples of such are Credelio, Bravecto, or the Seresto collar.  There are many to choose from)
   How do we remove them?
What happens if even after all your attempts to prevent ticks and you still find one on your pet? Don't just pull them off by hand or burn them. Instead, use fine tipped tweezers placed close to the skin. Carefully pinch the tick's head with the tweezers, and without twisting , pull it straight out. Be careful not to crush or squeeze the tick's body. which can accidentally cause the tick's bacteria-filled body to get into your pet's bloodstream. 
  Once the tick has been removed, place it in a jar of insecticide or rubbing alcohol. 
   Don't flush the tick down the toilet or sink, as they can survive water. 
   Because ticks can carry so many diseases, wearing gloves and thoroughly wash your hands after handling ticks. 
  After removing a tick, clean the area with an antiseptic. The bite area may itch, causing your pet to scratch or chew at it, so continue to watch the area to make sure it doesn't become infected or abscessed. 
   Continue to monitor your pet after you remove the tick from the skin because symptoms of tick borne diseases may not show up for several days or even weeks. Watch for fever, loss of appetite, lethargy or any stiffness in the limbs. 
  We have been seeing an increase of Lyme disease in this area the past few years. It is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected backlegged deer tick. 
​  Lyme disease causes a rash looks like a bull's-eye, and causes flu-like symptoms, fatigue, and joint pain and weakness in the limb. 
 Rocky Mountain Spotted fever cause, fever, flu-like symptoms, vomiting, stomach pain, rash, muscles pain, lack of appetite.
   Contact your doctor if you have been bitten and are having any of these symptoms.

 Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever rash                                 Lyme disease rash  

  Welcome to our new blog!  In this section we will share stories and educational information. Dr. Brown and I are very excited to create this new blog for you. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do. 
   We have some exciting new things coming up that we will be offering this summer  for your pets health. We will go into further details soon.
    We love educating our clients, we hope to share posts filled with helpful information regarding pet care.