WHAT'S NEW

Periodically we'll alert you to new products available to improve your pet's health, special events, or animal news we think may be of interest. If you have any upcoming events you would like to share, please contact us.

Royal Canin (IVD & Waltham) offer a complete line of limited antigen diets for your pet food allergies.  This company has recently branched out with great prescription diets for both cats and dogs.

Springtime Safety Tips for Pet Owners
Check before you plant!  Many flowers and plants can be poisonous – even deadly – to pets.  Lilies, daffodils and hyacinths are just a few common plants that are toxic to pets.  For a list of non-toxic plants and flowers, go to ASPCA: Animal Poison Control Center: Nontoxic Plants

Commercial mulch sometimes contains cocoa bean shells, which many dogs can’t seem to resist.  The chemicals and caffeine that are naturally present in cocoa can be very dangerous to pets if ingested.  Make sure that any mulch you buy is safe for pets.

Fertilizers and pesticides can be deadly to pets.  Always check the label to be sure that anything you apply to your plants is also safe for your pets.  When in doubt, don’t use it!

Did you know that pets can suffer from seasonal allergies too?  The effects range from skin irritation and hair loss to ear infections, excessive sneezing and runny nose.  If your pet displays any of these symptoms, give us a call at 703-528-9001 to make an appointment.

WEIGHT MANAGEMENT AND OBESITY
Today, 35% of adult pets and 50% of pets over age 7 are overweight!  Pet obesity can be caused by genetics, high-fat diets, overeating, lack of exercise and health problems such as hypothyroidism. 

Some of the health risks of obesity include diabetes, arthritis and other joint disorders, heart disease, high blood pressure, and skin problems.  Avoid unhealthy snacks and table scraps, especially if you’re trying to help your pet maintain a healthy weight. 
If you’re trying to reduce your cat’s weight or help your cat maintain a healthy weight, you can use commercial or homemade cat toys to encourage active play (such as a feather, cat fishing pole, foil balls and paper balls.)  Or, shine a flashlight on the wall and let your cat chase it.  You can also let your cat play in a box or paper bag.   

If you’re trying to reduce your dog’s weight or help your dog maintain a healthy weight, you can create an obstacle course with benches, trees, ditches, or anything you encounter along the way that your dog can jump over, crawl under or balance on.  Try taking a 30-minute walk around your neighborhood.  Of course, playing fetch with a ball or toy (never use a stick, as these can splinter and cause injury to your dog) is always a great option too. 

Introducing Wisdom Panel MX Mixed Breed Analysis, the most comprehensive DNA-based mixed breed test for dogs.  It identifies more than 130 AKC-recognized breeds that may be present in mixed  breed dogs and will allow veterinarians to answer one of the most  frequently asked questions by pet owners, “What is my dog’s breed mix?”  Ask Cherrydale Veterinary Clinic if you’re interested in testing your dog. www.wisdompanel.com