Check on your pet’s health before a trip!

Hello, there! I decided to start a blog because there is so much out there that can help answer simple questions about pet care. The idea is to keep pet owners educated; that there is always something to learn. I get lots of calls from clients, relatives, and friends asking me for advice and help. As I come across information in the form of links, magazines, books, or just from other people, I will share them, along with my experiences in assisting pet owners. (Hopefully, this last bit will be more interesting than it sounds…) Here we go!

A to Zoo had a busy Christmas this year, and I learned a few things. For example, I had a client whose lab I noticed had a nasty bladder infection. I spent an evening at the vet with the dog, who is better now. The poor client had to pay a large vet bill and additional charges for my services which, of course, she was happy to pay, as long as her dog was okay. But, when we discussed it later, there were a few things that had come up that might have prevented at least some expence and worry.

She had noticed some odd behavior in the dog before she left on her trip, but dismissed it as the dog reacting to her packing, etc. Nothing bizarre, just a little different. For example, she did say that the dog had wet the carpet in the bedroom where she was packing. She thought the dog was just mad because she was leaving. Yeah, one of my dogs does that, every time. Every time. Not just once. The point here, is that her lab wasn’t responding to the packing, there was something else wrong. Another thing, was that the dog was sensitive when the client picked her up. This was no surprise, as the dog has arthritis, but the combination should have raised a flag.

The trouble with running around packing, cleaning, and getting everything ready fo a trip, is sometimes we miss something we might otherwise notice. There is a lot of stress for the human to get ready for a trip, so you need to stop for a minute, and think. A day or two before leaving, look at your pets; ask your family if anything is off with the animals. I did this kind of survey of my pets just before the Christmas rush and found a cat with an ear infection! I had plenty of time to go to the vet before I got really busy (or they were closed!).

So, before a trip, even a short one, look around; is everyone’s stool okay? Behavior? Appetite? Is there anything odd? Older pets can always benefit from a six month check up to catch anything that might be off and could get worse while you are a way. That, combined with a great pet sitter, will allow you to have a worry-free trip!

Nancy