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Moving?
Whether it is across town or across the country, moving is just as stressful for your pets as it is for you, perhaps more so. But the stress can be greatly reduced with good planning.
An early visit to your veterinarian would be helpful. Get a complete physical including a test for intestinal parasites, update vaccines, get copies of your pet’s records, get an adequate supply of any medications your pet is on, see if they can make a recommendation for a veterinarian near your new home and discuss the potential need for tranquilizers to make the move easier for your pet. If you feel the pet needs to be sedated and the veterinarian has prescribed medication for that purpose, get  enough to try it out prior to the move to be sure the prescribed dosage is enough. Try it out by giving the medication and taking the pet for a trip in the car – and be sure to go somewhere other than your regular route. This will be the only way to see if the medication will help relax your pet during the actual move.
If you will be transporting your pet by plane, try to book a direct flight for your pet. Find out from the airline what type and size of carrier they require for your pet and what paperwork will be needed.
Keep some form of identification on your pet at all times. A microchip is recommended as it is permanent identification and cannot be lost. Keep current pictures and identification information with you at all times in case your pet is lost during the move. Have a contact number available at each end of your move.
Travel with water from home. Take several gallons if it is a long trip. Do not change diets around the time you move either. Diet changes can be difficult even without the added stress of moving.
Where will your pet be the day the moving van arrives? In your home is probably not the best idea. You may find it best to keep your pet at a friend’s house or in a kennel to reduce the risk of losing your pet. That plan too, should be made early and practiced so that the pet becomes comfortable with the situation. If they have to stay at home during the move, put them in a room with a “Do Not Open” sign on the door so the movers won’t inadvertently allow the pet out.
Research pet friendly hotels before you leave home on a long move. Do not keep your pets in your car overnight. Check www.pet-friendly-hotels.net or www.petfriendlyhotel.org. There are lots of other helpful sites available too.
When you arrive, return to your pet’s normal routine as soon as possible. Orient familiar things like their bed or favorite chair much as it was in the old house. Do the same with the food and water bowls, and litter pans. Bring out their old toys, walk them around inside the house and let them get  familiar with the new surroundings. Take the dog for a walk in the neighborhood. Mainly, try to return to your normal routines quickly. Be patient and reassuring with your pets and they should adjust soon to their new home.
Summer Care Tips
Just a few reminders for warmer weather pet care. As the weather warms our pets face new threats. Things like lawn herbicides and common pest poisons certainly need to be avoided. Wash your pet’s feet with soap and water before coming back inside after being out on a treated lawn. Place rat, mouse, snail, and slug poisons where your pet cannot get to them.
Dogs that live outside must have plenty of fresh drinking water at all times. Use non-tippable water bowls or one that can be hung. Check water level multiple times a day and give them fresh water at least once a day. Position the dog house so that it will be well-shaded during the midday sun. And make sure the house is well-ventilated.
Avoid excess exercise during the hot weather. Safe temperature ranges for your dog will vary dependent on breed and size. If you suspect heat stress or stroke, wet your pet thoroughly with cool (not cold) water by immersion, or spray with a hose, and call your veterinarian immediately. And remember the temperature in a parked car climbs rapidly, even if the windows are opened. Never leave your pet unattended inside a vehicle.
Exposure to fleas, heartworm disease, and intestinal parasites increases with warm weather. Use monthly flea, tick, and heartworm preventives. Decrease mosquito breeding areas around your house by draining any standing water. Look for water collection spots such as flower pot saucers or unused flower pots, low spots in gutters, tire swings, etc. To control possible parasite contamination clean  your yard of feces regularly and clean up leaf litter. Ticks are especially abundant from spring to early summer. They can be found in woods and fields so reduce your pet’s exposure to ticks by keeping them in areas where the grass is kept mowed.
Keep your pet well groomed. Mats and tangles in the coat of longhaired dogs and cats decrease the coat’s ability to channel cool air down to the skin of the animal. The coat also protects skin from direct sunlight. If you like to have your long-haired dog or cat shaved for the summer, resist the urge to do a buzz-cut. Groomers can shorten the coat without taking it down so short that you could increase the risk of damage by the sun.
Make sure your pets are up to date on their vaccines. Warm weather months increase animal to animal contact allowing infectious diseases to spread more rapidly.
Welcome a new employee
Jordan Hockett joined the team at East Hilliard Veterinary Services in February, 2008 as a customer service representative. She and her fiancé, Cody Hill, live in Grove City with their son, Easton, who was born in February, 2007. Jordan graduated from Grove City High School in 2003 and had been working in the office at Koorsen Fire and Security. She volunteers at Park West, a residence for people with special needs. Jordan’s cat, Meade, currently lives with her parents, as her fiancé is allergic to cats. A family dog is in their future plans however.
Fun facts
Just a couple of “Hallmark moments” we read about recently.
April 28th is National Hairball Awareness Day. This may seem a little ridiculous. If you have a cat with a hairball problem you are certainly already well aware. But cats aren’t the only animals that get hairballs (also called trichobezoars). Rabbits and cattle get them too, however neither species has the ability to regurgitate them.
April 10th is ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) Day. This, of course, is not a “Hallmark day”. The ASPCA is a legitimate organization, truly deserving of their own day. They are asking everyone to wear orange on the 10th to show support for the work they do. Visit them at www.aspca.org.
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© 2008 East Hilliard Veterinary Services. All rights reserved.
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