THE WOOFINGTON POST MEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER EDITION WELCOME

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1 THE WOOFINGTON POST MEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER EDITION South 31 Vet Clinic 5911 U.S. 31 South Indianapolis, IN Phone # Fax # Visit us at: south31veterinaryclinic.com CLINIC HOURS Monday 7am-7pm Tuesday-Friday 7am-6pm Saturday 8am-Noon Outside of our regular business hours we refer hospital care to Airport Animal Emergency on West Washington St. Phone # If you would like to leave a message or put in an order for food or medications, please feel free to make use of our address: south31vetclinic@gmail.com and we will get back to you once we return to the office. WELCOME Welcome to South 31 Vet Clinic s September edition of The Woofington Post Mewsletter. Dr Bruce will be discussing Deciding When To Euthanize in Dr. Bruce s Paw s For Thought. Dr. Jeff will be covering Separation Anxiety in Dr. Jeff s Mewsings. Mr. Ed will of course be filling you in on the behind the scenes workings of the clinic in his Blog and The Little Critter Corner is full of fun and games for your Little Critter. FACEBOOK & PINTEREST We Would like to thank you all for your continued support of our Facebook & Pinterest pages. We are a family oriented clinic and we are all excited to share these pages with you. While we consider these pages to be a strong link between us, our clients and your pets, there is nothing like the one to one connection we will always furnish you and your pet.

2 DR. BRUCE S PAW S FOR THOUGHT Deciding When To Euthanize Most of us have been in the situation with an older pet in regard to the quality of the pet s life and how we should handle the situation. Pets suffer from arthritis, cancer, kidney and liver failure, heart disease, diabetes and many other illnesses that humans too suffer from. First, let me say that many conditions in pets that cause suffering and pain can be dealt with for a period of time with pain medications and anti-inflammatory drugs. However, in many cases the point comes where drugs are no longer of much help. At this point we are often faced with the prospect of euthanasia for our pet. I personally have had to deal with this with my own beloved pets. It is a very difficult and heart wrenching situation to go through. Let me explain first what the process of euthanasia involves. It typically is an intravenous injection of a drug that previously was used as an anesthetic. For anyone that has had an anesthetic, you know it is a very peaceful feeling as you drift off into sleep. If you did not wake up you would not know. This is what happens during the euthanasia of a pet because the dose is basically a double dose from what would have been administered as an anesthetic. The process is typically painless and once the drug is administered it takes about 10 seconds. There are a few pets that are very agitated and afraid in a vets office. For these pets we administer a subcutaneous injection of a different drug prior to the IV drug. This calms them totally and allows us to administer the IV drug. How does someone decide when the time has come? This is very difficult. We want our pets to live longer and longer but with a better and better quality of life. When a pet is suffering with pain, starving due to not eating, etc. and there is no effective cure then it may be time to take other measures. Ultimately the decision is up to the pet owner. However, we try to help you make the right decision, give you information to help you decide, and sometimes I can even honestly say: if this were my pet I would and sometimes that is to do further testing and sometimes it is that I believe we ve exhausted all we can do at this point. Our staff is extremely aware of how difficult the situation can be with an elderly and beloved pet. The human/pet bond is something unequaled in many ways. We care about your pet, we care about you and we are always there to help you during difficult times like these.

3 DR. JEFF S MEWSINGS Separation Anxiety Leaving your pet alone can be a scary and stressful experience for them. Separation anxiety can be a big concern for many dog owners. Damaged walls or furniture and endless barking are a couple of the things that can happen when your loved pet is dealing with this condition. There are several things you can do to help control your pet s anxiety when you are not there. Burn that extra energy. Exercise and play games to get rid of some of that built up energy. Going for a hike or playing fetch will keep your dogs minds stimulated and alleviate boredom that can come from just staying in the home all of the time. Not only will they be less inclined to be desperate for something to do all of the time, but will hopefully be willing to take a well needed rest from all of that activity. Modify your routine for leaving and returning home. It is best that you do not make either event a big deal. The more you excite your pet at either time. The more revved up for attention they will become. Your arrival and departures should be unannounced and should not contain an energetic greeting or farewell. You can do some practice runs. After doing the above recommendation, go outside for 5 minutes so that you appear to have gone. See how things go. If all is well, you can gradually increase the duration of the tests. In no time at all, you will be at the point to leave, for real, with no problems. If all else fails, there are medications that you use to treat separation anxiety. These are not miracle drugs. They are only an additional tool to be used with the other recommendations. Giving these medications will allow separation training to be easier, but they do not work by themselves. Drugs are definitely not the first choice, but they are a good tool when needed. Remember that you and your dog are a team and must work together to keep everyone happy and healthy.

4 MR ED S BLOG Reading up on Hairballs! Oh no Wilbur look what you have got started! Ever since you did all that vomiting the girls are going to make us eat that brown looking stuff. Quit complaining Mr. Ed! When you can t pass a hairball it can be very serious. Sometimes requiring surgical removal. Well you better Mmmmmmm get ready, they tuna flavor are loading up today. the syringe as we speak! Sometimes the girls Oh no here she comes! MUST KEEP Hmmmm, I will put some on my guess this paw and I just lick it isn t so off. bad, and it MOUTH is some- CLOSED!!! what tasty. Better than having surgery! Hey I want some too! I can save this for later when I m on a grooming binge.

5 THE LITTLE CRITTER CORNER Somewhere in this Mewsletter is this special pencil Can you find it?