[12] June 24, 2011
www.redmond-reporter.com
...WONDERFUL WORLD OF PETS
Regular checkups key to your pet’s health
redmond-reporter.com
Here are some answers to commonly asked questions.
DR. CRAIG MILLER Loyal Companion Animal Care
OBEDIENCE and AGILITY CLASSES
How to keep our loyal companions healthy? What are the basic preventative health tips and some common mistakes?
• Seminars • Behavior Modification • Private Consultations and Training • Doggy Daycare
425-488-0923 206-367-8071
Dogs age approximately seven years for every one
Professional Pet Sitter & Dog Walker Because they like to stay, even when you’re away.
(425) 638-3825 www.whiskersathome.com
LOW COST!
Online updates will be provided after each visit with your pet. Licensed Bonded Insured
455230
No appointment necessary! (Walk-In)
FREE Office Exam
No limit on Spays & Neuters. Offer limited to one Office Exam for first-time clients only. Not to be combined with any other offer. Only with this ad until 6/30/2011.
447346
14504 NE 20th Street, Suite 100 • Bellevue 425-644-7002 | www.valuepetclinic.com
Hospital of Redmond
• convenient Totem Lake location
Open 24-hours a day 365 days a year
• joint-friendly rubber flooring indoors • canine pack management trained
425-821-9100 scampersdogs.com
• as many tummy rubs as your pooch can handle!! 493104
Expert Care. With a passion.
FREE
Initial Exam
Complete Wellness Care
• New Customer Only • Not valid for Travel Certificates • Used for initial physical exam for Cats & Dogs Only
✦ Dentistry & Surgery ✦ Boarding and Grooming ✦ Evening and Weekend Hours 455231
One Coupon per Customer. Expires 7/31/11
Dental Cleaning
• $40 Off Dental Cleaning for Cats & Dogs Only • $50 additional mail-in rebate with purchase of prescription Purina Dental Health Diet
425-250-7090
501665
• pet first aid trained
12532 NE 124th Street Kirkland, WA 98034
Up to $90 Off
One of the leading health problems our pets face is obesity. Similar to us, obesity can lead to joint problems, urinary disease, breathing complications, and diabetes. Recent veterinary studies have shown that fat actually sends out cellular signals that cause inflammation, and chronic inflammation can result in a number of health problems.
Animal Emergency
• over 9000 sq. ft. of supervised indoor and outdoor play space
One Coupon per Customer. Expires 7/31/11
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for New Clients or 25% OFF our already LOW COST SPAYS & NEUTERS
What are common health problems for pets?
17980 NE Union Hill Rd., Redmond, WA 98052 www.vcaredmond.com 425.885.1476
447362
447378
Serving the Greater Seattle area since 1980
Is an annual exam really needed?
calendar year. Large dogs age faster (more like 10 years in one calendar year) and small dogs and cats age slower (approximately 5 years). That means an annual exam is equivalent to us going to the doctor every 5-10 years. Annual exams are probably the most important aspect of preventative care as a thorough physical exam can detect problems that may not be noticed by the owner. Animals, especially cats, hide illness instinctively. Pets 10 and older, especially if they have a chronic illness, should be examined biannually.
Pets kept at their ideal weight range have been shown to live longer than their overweight siblings. Regular exercise and a healthy diet are critical. While there are many “light” foods on the market, there is little regulation of what constitutes a “light” pet food, and nutritional research has found that the calorie content of non-prescription diet foods vary widely. In addition, the type of food fed may matter. For example, cats are strict carnivores and must be fed a meat diet. Dry diets are high in carbohydrates, which cats do not digest very well. Thus, dry cat food tends to contribute to weight gain and increases blood sugar levels. Another common problem is dental disease. Think of everything we do to keep our teeth and gums health: brushing, mouthwashes, flossing, biannual cleanings and exams. What do our pets do? Chew on a dental treat? Dental treats can be helpful, but they are not enough. Training your pet to accept daily teeth brushing is the most effective aspect of at home oral pet care. Train your pet in three steps: First with just rubbing the teeth (outside surfaces) with just your finger (skip this step in cats!), then reward. After your dog becomes used to this, brush with a tooth brush (and reward). Finally, use a pet tooth paste with a tooth brush. Because of the difficulty (some pets just won’t let us brush their teeth) with home oral care, having your veterinarian clean your pets teeth and do a thorough tooth and gum assessment is vital. Keeping your pets mouth healthy will not only prevent tooth loss and make your pet feel better, but also prevent serious complications of oral disease, such as liver or kidney infections. Pets are our loyal companions and bring so much joy to our lives. Taking proactive control in the preventative care of your pet will ensure your pet live a happy and healthy long life! Dr. Craig Miller owns Loyal Companion Animal Care in Redmond. For more information about pet disease and health tip articles by Dr. Miller, go to http:// loyalcompanionanimalcare. com/edu.aspx .