Pet Loss: Taking Comfort in Your Pets After Care

Pet Loss:

Taking Comfort in Your Pets After Care 

Sweet Old Dog being comforted by his owner 

                   

                        Losing a pet is very hard.  And what can make it harder is wondering about the "unknown". It can be scary and unnerving not knowing what happens next. What happens after I leave him? Where do they take him? Are they handling him with care?  How do I know the ashes I receive are truly my pets remains? All these question are valid concerns and can make you sick with worry. Your pet has been a constant in your life and loved you unconditionally. And you want to make sure they are being cared for, even after you say goodbye. So we wanted to shed some light on this dark cloud to help our clients with these worrisome thoughts.  And even walk you though the process that you may have been too scared or upset to ask about, to hopefully give you some comfort and closure. 

Faithful Companion Pet Cremation Services Lobby

About Faithful Companion 

We first would like to tell you that we have taken great care in selecting a company for our patients After Care services. There are many companies out there that can provide these services, but we want you to know that the company that we have chosen for our beloved patients "After Life" care is nothing but Top Notch and utterly professional. We wanted to make sure the company we chose was empathetic and treated your pet like it was their own. That is why we are proud to say that Faithful Companion Pet Cremation Services is the company we trust with this delicate process. 

Private room where you can choose a keepsake 

What Happens After You Say Good Bye

When you leave your pet after you say your final Goodbye, a paw print is made and they are softly placed in a casket box with a cushion liner. Faithful Companion comes to pick up your pet immediately so your pet isn't sitting alone or stored inappropriately. They are then taken to Faithful's Crematorium where they are tagged and tracked by their superior system making sure the process is smooth and precise for each pet. Once the cremation has taken place, and your pet is ready to be returned home they will call you to make sure you are home to accept your pet. They will never just leave the remains on your door step. And they also kindly make sure you are emotionally ready as well. A Faithful Companion Representative, dressed polished and distinguished, will bring your pet right to you handling them with respect every step of the way. 

If a family wishes to be with their pet during the cremation process this is also an option. A Representative will meet you at the entrance, take you into one of their quiet rooms where you can choose from an array of keepsake items. Then you can go into a private room to be with your pet while the process takes place. They will graciously accommodate your wishes to help make this process as easy for you as possible.

If your pet should happen to pass at home, they will come directly to your home, and will respectfully transport your pet to the facility for you.

Faithful Companion Logo

The Facility

You can rest assured knowing that your pet is going to a clean and professional place and handled with care. We recently went on a tour of the Faithful Companion facility and it is nothing short of impressive. The place was beautiful and calming all at the same time. They walked us though the process and we can see that the representatives working were truly handling each and every pet gently, making sure to pay attention to detail, and give each pet their undivided attention. 

Loosing a pet can be one of the most difficult things to go though. And it can be frightening not knowing what happens after. But we hope that you will find Peace in knowing your furry family member will have the most dignified "After Care" experience with our chosen company Faithful Companion. 

What Vaccines Does My Puppy Really Need?

What Vaccines Does My Puppy Really Need? 

An Adorable Dachshund Puppy waiting with its owner at the vet for her first puppy shots

                     So you just got a new puppy! Congratulations on your new addition to the family. You bought a new bed so she will be comfortable, you bought some of the best quality puppy food on the market, you bought collars, leashes, treats, toys, bowls, etc. Your puppy has everything she needs right? Or does she?

Puppies can pick up sicknesses from other dogs. Make sure your Puppy is vaccinated 

The Importance of Puppy Vaccine Boosters

Scheduling your puppy for her first vet visit is very important. The Veterinarian will do a full examination to make sure your puppy is healthy, will check a fecal sample to screen for intestinal parasites or worms, give a de-worming medication and of course give your puppy her first vaccines. 

Puppies with no immunity are very vulnerable to deadly disease and viruses. It is very important to get your puppy vaccines and booster them as needed. The first vaccine is given introduces small amounts of antigens for that virus which stimulates antibodies production in your puppies body. The vaccine boosters are important to give as scheduled every 3-4 weeks as it builds up the antibodies which builds up the immunity to the virus. So in other words if your puppy receives one vaccine it is not fully protected and may still be vulnerable to the virus. Completing the vaccine booster series is the best way to have the most immunity for your puppy, and then getting the appropriate booster vaccine yearly or as needed.

An adorable puppy socializing outside

Puppy Vaccine Schedule 

Not sure when to vaccinate your puppy? The puppy vaccine protocol can be pretty confusing. But we made a great Graphic to make it easy for you! This graphic can be shared or even pinned to a refrigerator for reference. Check it out below.

Typical Puppy Vaccine Schedule
 (*Note* Protocols may differ in different circumstances and locations) 

When a puppy joins your family you want nothing but the best for your new family member. That should include Veterinary Care and Vaccinations. It is very important for your puppy to receive all of the vaccine boosters at the time they are scheduled for the most ideal immunity. You never know where a deadly virus can be picked up. On a walk, at the pet store, at the park, on the beach,  etc. So better safe then sorry and get your puppy vaccinated against these preventable sicknesses.

A little girl and her new puppy. 

Feline Kidney Disease - What You Need to Know

Feline Kidney Disease

What You Need To Know

Senior Kitty in Renal Failure

            There are two types of Kidney (Renal) Disease in cats, Acute and Chronic. Acute is more of a sudden onset due to injury or toxin ingestion such as eating a antifreeze or lilies. If caught early enough Acute Kidney problems can be reversed.  Chronic (Ongoing) Kidney Disease also known as CKD  or CRF (Chronic Renal Failure) is a disease that occurs in older cats and is a life long terminal illness.  There is no reversing the damage, but there is hope. With proper treatment you can slow the progression down and still have many happy years with your feline friend. 

Illustration of a Kidney Organ

What Do The Kidneys Do?

The Kidneys are a complex organ and do many very important things for the body.  One way they function is that they filter out chemicals and toxins that we don't want in our body and produce urine for our bodies to expel.  The Kidneys are also responsible for keeping us hydrated by determining how much water to keep in our bodies and how much to expel via urine. In addition, the Kidneys also maintain electrolyte balance, pH balance, conserves proteins, regulates blood pressure, and also helps make our Red Blood Cells. All of these tasks are vital for our body to function properly.

What is CKD/CRF?

When the Kidneys start to fail and cannot preform these tasks in our bodies it can be very devastating. A few signs to look out for are, excessive drinking, frequent urination, dilute urine, decreased appetite, weight loss, and even bad breath can be an indicator of CKD/CRF. However, most  of the time there are no symptoms until the disease is advanced. That is why it is very important to have yearly check ups and blood work preformed on your cat each year. Abnormalities in Kidney markers such as BUN, Creatine, SDMA, and Urine Specific Gravity are just a few values your vet will look for in determining CKD/CRF. Once diagnosed, you will need to keep  rechecking these values to monitor progression of the disease.

Siamese Cat that was Diagnosed with CKD/CRF

Now What?

Receiving the news that your Kitty has CKD/CRF can be very difficult to hear since the condition is considered a terminal illness. And the information can be very overwhelming. But there are things you can do to keep  the disease from progressing and maintain what is left of the Kidney function.
Treatment depends on what stage the disease is in, and the overall health of your kitty.

According to IRIS or The International Renal Interest Society, there are 4 Stages of CKD/CRF.

Staging the Severity of CKD/CRF Based on Blood Creatine Concentration 

                                                         

                                                         Stage 1:     <1.6 mg/dl

                                                         Stage 2:     1.6-2.8 mg/dl

                                                         Stage 3:     2.9-5.0 mg/dl

                                                         Stage 4:     >5.0 mg/dl

Your Veterinarian will determine what Stage your Kitty is currently in and will devise a treatment plan to slow the progression of the disease. 

Diet -  One of the main ways Kidney Disease can be managed is though diet. Your Vet will prescribe a prescription diet that is low in phosphorous with moderate amount of protein such as Royal Canin Renal Care, Hills K/D formula's, Purina NF, etc. Kitties with a poor appetite can be given appetite stimulants to ensure they are getting enough calories and combat weight loss.

Phosphate Binder -  Cats in CKD/CRF cannot filter phosphorous properly and therefore, an excess can cause your kitty to feel sick and also promote the progression of the disease. Your Vet will prescribe a phosphate binder for your cat. This can be mixed right into the food and prevents the absorption of phosphate.

SQ Fluids -  Kitties with Renal Disease are at risk of dehydration since the Kidneys cannot concentrate urine properly. This is something that needs to be monitored closely as dehydration can be very serious. Encourage your kitty to drink water by placing more water bowls around the house and even providing water fountains. Kitties that don't drink enough to keep up with their damaged kidneys will need to receive Subcutaneous or SQ Fluids. This can be administered at home if you are comfortable with it.

Potassium Supplements - Since the Kidneys are not able to balance electrolyte levels in the body, Kidney patients can also be deficient in potassium and may need a supplement to correct that. Low potassium can make your kitty weak, imbalanced and even cause problems in the muscle tissue. 

Blood Pressure - CKD/CRF cats often suffer from hypertension as there are blood pressure sensors in the kidneys that help regulate blood pressure in the body. High Blood Pressure can further damage the kidneys as well as cause may problems on its own such as blindness. If your kitty has high blood pressure your Vet may prescribe blood pressure mediation for them. 

Treatment for CKD/CRF can vary depending on IRIS Staging and symptoms. There may be other medications that are also needed such as antiemedic or anti-vomiting medication if your cats disease is advanced and they are experiencing nausea and vomiting as well. 

Veterinarian writing out treatment plan for a newly diagnosed CKD/CRF Kitty 

Kidney Disease in Cats can be a very frightening diagnosis. The Kidneys work in many ways to help the body function properly and when the kidneys can't preform the tasks they need to, it can cause many health problems for the patient. Depending on the stage of the disease there is treatment that can slow the progression of the disease and try to preserve the kidneys from that point on. And with diligent care and treatment overseen by your veterinarian you and your kitty can have many more years together. 

Loved cat with Kidney Disease living comfortably with Treatment 

To learn more about CKD/CRF please visit the follow resources below:

The International Renal Interest Society

Veterinary Partner

FelineCRF.Org

Prong Collars, Shock Collars, Choke Chains Oh My! Negative Training Tools - You Could Be Doing More Harm Then You Think!

Prong Collars, Shock Collars, Choke Chains Oh My!

Negative Training Tools - You Could Be Doing More Harm Then You Think!

A Belgium Malinois with a Prong or Pinch Collar on 

                    Many people think that they will have better control over their rambunctious dog if they use a serious tool such as a prong or pinch collar, shock collar or choke chain. But these tools are actually considered "Negative Training" Tools and can cause not only bodily harm to your pet but can also make behavior even worse.

The Dangers of Negative Training Tools 

I am sure that you have seen the recent abuse allegations toward a well known Training Group that is based all over the US.  Domination and negative punishment training which is used by this Training Group and even portrayed by icons such as Ceaser Milan, is NOT the proper way to train your pet. But unfortunately, many trainers and training facilities train in a negative manner and its is actually considered abusive to the animal. That is why it is so very important to choose the Fear Free, Positive trainer that uses fun, motivation and rewards during training,  even for larger more powerful dogs.

Negative training often utilizes Negative Training Tools which punishes the dog during training. Negative types of training can be confusing and frustrating to your dog causing harm to your pets mental state making behavior problems worse and even cause additional problems. The tools used during Negative training can also cause bodily harm to your pet.

Choke Chains:

Choke chains can limit oxygen intake and literally choke your pet. These chains can do significant damage to the trachea or windpipe. The pressure that is applied on the neck area while using a choke chain can also do damage to the dogs eyes. 

Pinch or Prong Collars:

Pinch/Prong Collars Can do the same damage Choke chains can in regards to choking, damage to the trachea, and damage to vision due to excess pressure. However these collars take it one step further and literally have prongs or sharp pointed pieces of metal that can puncture your dogs sensitive skin around the neck causing painful wounds and even infection. 

Shock Collars:

Shock Collars send electrical impulses that shock your beloved pet. Even on the lowest setting this can be very harmful to your pets well-being. It is even said the electrocution from shock collars can cause an imbalance and decrease function to vital glands and organs. Shock collars can even cause physical burns and wounds to your pets skin.

* There are many photos that showcase wounds caused by these tools. We have decided not to include any of those photos in this blog so we don't upset anyone. If you wish to look further at the devastation these collars can cause to your pet, a quick google search will pull up countless cases, viewer discretion is advised.

Sad Dog with a Choke Chain on

The Positively Right Way To Train 

 Before starting any training with your pet always do your homework. Make sure the trainer and the training methods are positive based and fear free. If a trainer suggests you use a Negative Tool then choose a different trainer. We have actually partnered up with K9 Turbo Training, a Force Free Positive Training Group in our area and Second Chances Animal Rescue  ,a wonderful rescue group and animal education outreach organization, in the efforts to bring attention to these negative tools. The Freedom Harness Exchange Program that was created allows pet owners to ditch the negative tool and trade them in for a Freedom Harness! A Freedom Harness is comfortable harness that still gives you control of your pet without choking or harming your dog in any way. We are very passionate about promoting a force free and fear free training and training tools. 

A Golden Doodle that traded in her prong collar for a Freedom Harness at our clinic

        In Conclusion, Negative based training and training tools are not the correct way to train your pet. It can cause more harm to your pet then you realize, such as physical harm and even emotional harm. Even the big powerful breeds respond better to positive training and training methods. So make training Fun, Positive and Rewarding and your pet will be not only respond better and faster molding them into a better trained pet. But also a well balanced happy pet as well!