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5 Tips for Disaster Preparedness Month: How to Prepare Your Pet for Emergencies

September is Disaster Preparedness Month, and that means it’s time for pet owners to take a hard look at their emergency preparedness plans. Disasters can happen anytime, anywhere, and they often have a devastating impact on pets. That’s why it’s so important for pet owners to be well prepared in advance.

5 Tips for Disaster Preparedness Month: How to Prepare Your Pet for Emergencies

September is Disaster Preparedness Month, and that means it’s time for pet owners to take a hard look at their emergency preparedness plans. Disasters can happen anytime, anywhere, and they often have a devastating impact on pets. That’s why it’s so important for pet owners to be well prepared in advance. In this blog post, we will discuss five tips for disaster preparedness month that will help keep your pet safe during emergencies.
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5 Ways You Can Prepare Your Pet For A Disaster

Identification is the first and most important step in pet disaster preparedness. Even if your pet is always wearing a collar with up-to-date tags, there’s always the chance that he or she will become lost. If your pet does become lost, a microchip can help increase the chances of being reunited with him or her. Collars and tags can also help identify your pet, but they can be easily removed or lost. By microchipping your pet, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that he or she is always identifiable, no matter what. If they don’t have a microchip, now is the time to schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to get one.

Secondly, you need to know where you will go in the event of an evacuation. If you are ordered to evacuate your home, do not leave your pets behind. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) recommends that you take your pets with you if you can. If you must leave them behind, make sure they are in a safe place where they will have food and water and can escape danger.

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Thirdly, always try to stay together with your pet if possible. In the event that you are separated, make sure you have a recent photo of them as well as their identifying information with you at all times.

Fourth, make a pet emergency kit in advance. This should include items like food, water, bowls, leashes, collars, medications, and first-aid supplies. When emergencies hit, you do not always have time to stop and look for all the supplies you may need to care for your pet on the go, having a kit ready at all times will allow for a more stress-free exit from the disaster area.

Finally, know who to contact in the event of an emergency. If a disaster hits while you are at work or away from your home, it is crucial that you have a plan of action in place. Designate a trusted friend or family member who can check on your pet and provide them with any necessary care. Ask your Veterinarian if they have advice or options for you and your pet in case of a disaster or emergency.

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Preparing Your Pet For A Disaster With The Help of Animal Wellness Center!

By following these simple tips, our Doctors and Staff here at Animal Wellness Center are confident you can help ensure that your pet is safe and well-prepared in the event of an emergency. Take the time this disaster preparedness month to put a plan in place and give yourself peace of mind.

How to Hit the Road and Have Fun With Your Pet: 5 Tips for Car Trips With Pets

If you are planning to take a trip and bring your pets along, Animal Wellness Center is here to help give you some tips on how to prepare for the journey. These tips will help put your pets at ease the whole drive-through. Call us today to book an appointment for your pet’s clean bill of health!

How to Hit the Road and Have Fun With Your Pet: 5 Tips for Car Trips With Pets

Nothing beats hitting the open road for a car trip with your best furry friend by your side. Traveling with pets, though, is more complicated than choosing a destination and taking off; it requires careful planning and packing to make sure you and your pet have a fantastic time.
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5 Tips for Better Road Trips With Your Pets

1. Schedule Plenty of Breaks
Make sure to schedule time for plenty of breaks and plan good places to stop along the way before leaving. Be sure you have a secure harness and leash for your pet.
2. Give Your Pet a Designated Spot
Traveling with pets is safer if your pet has a spot to relax safely and securely. Small pets can travel in pet carriers. Larger pets should have a designated dog bed and vehicle harness.
3. Pack Extra Pet Supplies
Bring more food and water than you need. Remember your pet’s medications, poo bags, toys, bed, and an extra leash.
4. Don’t Roll Down the Windows
Yes, pets love to feel the breeze in their fur, but rolling down the windows actually exposes your pet to dust, debris, and allergens that can lead to eye and ear infections. It’s better to leave the windows up and crank the AC.
5. Get a Microchip Before You Leave
Pets are more likely to become afraid, disoriented, and get lost when they’re visiting unfamiliar places. Schedule an appointment to microchip your pet before you leave. Then you can have peace of mind that your pet is outfitted with permanent identification. Be sure your contact information is kept current in your pet’s microchip database.
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Make Sure Your Pet Is Travel-Ready With a Checkup at Animal Wellness Center

Before you hit the road with your pet, getting a clean bill of health from a veterinarian is a good idea. Plus, if you plan to cross state lines or travel to a different area with your pet, then it’s good to make sure your pet has all of the necessary vaccinations, parasite protection, and paperwork to ensure they can travel safely and legally all the way to your destination.
To learn more about traveling with pets or to schedule an appointment for your dog or cat, we welcome you to contact Animal Wellness Center today.

Keeping Your Pets Happy When You Are Away

Whether you’re returning to work at the office after working from home or have a pet that feels anxious when you leave, the following tips can help your pet have a happier, more content time while you’re away for any reason.

Keeping Your Pets Happy When You Are Away

Our pets are social creatures. This is one of the reasons why they love living with us, but it’s also the reason they often have a difficult time being left alone. Whether you’re returning to work at the office after working from home or have a pet that feels anxious when you leave, the following tips can help your pet have a happier, more content time while you’re away for any reason.
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6 Tips to Keep Your Pets Happy When You Aren't Home

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1. Know the Signs of Separation Anxiety  
There’s a difference between a pet being sad that you’re away and a pet that is suffering from separation anxiety. The latter is marked by severe distress, excessive vocalization, destructive behaviors, accidents in the house, and other problems. If your pet has separation anxiety, you should seek assistance with training and your veterinarian right away.
2. Puzzle Toys
Puzzle toys can keep a pet’s mind occupied and busy for hours while they work to solve the puzzle and release the treats hidden within.
3. Dog or Cat Television  
There are several YouTube channels that provide calming, engaging content that is dedicated to entertaining dogs and cats. If this isn’t an option in your home, you can simply leave the television or radio on while you’re away.
4. Chew Toys  
Chew toys are a great way for your pet to direct their instinct to chew (sometimes as a result of anxiety) toward a positive activity. Provide them with chew toys that are appropriate for their size and strength, making sure your pet won’t be able to destroy them and accidentally swallow the pieces while they are unsupervised.
5. Snuffle Mat  
A snuffle mat is a soft, grass-like feeding mat that provides a way for pets to practice the foraging skills they would use if living in the wild.
6. Safe Retreat
Be sure your pet has a safe place, like a bed, cat tree, or crate, where they can find comfort when you are away.

Lifestyle and Behavioral Counseling at Animal Wellness Center

If your pet is exhibiting behavior issues while you’re away from home, we recommend scheduling an appointment with a veterinarian at Animal Wellness Center. We can examine your pet to rule out (or address) any underlying medical conditions that could be contributing to the behavioral issues. We can then provide you with powerful training tools and pet enrichment advice to help you get your pet on the track to happy independence. To learn more or schedule an appointment, contact us today.

Your Guide to Keeping Your Pet Safe From Ticks

When the weather warms up, it’s time to take your favorite furry friend out and about. Unfortunately, you’re not the only one who wants to get up close and personal with your dog or cat. Many insects and pests, especially ticks, love to hitch a ride on Fido’s fur. When that happens, your pet may get a tickborne disease, putting it in the hospital or potentially leading to life-threatening situations.

Your Guide to Keeping Your Pet Safe From Ticks

When the weather warms up, it’s time to take your favorite furry friend out and about. Unfortunately, you’re not the only one who wants to get up close and personal with your dog or cat. Many insects and pests, especially ticks, love to hitch a ride on Fido’s fur. When that happens, your pet may get a tickborne disease, putting it in the hospital or potentially leading to life-threatening situations.
But how can you keep your pet safe? Let’s break down the top tips for tick prevention and mitigation for pets.
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The Dangers of Ticks

Ticks can carry and transmit various harmful diseases to both humans and animals. The most well-known is Lyme disease, but depending on where you live, you likely have to worry about several more, like Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.
The primary issue with tickborne diseases is that vaccines or treatments don’t exist for pets. So, your furry friend will have to suffer through the worst symptoms while you watch, helpless to do anything.
Another issue is that it can be hard to spot ticks and tick bites on your pet because of all its fur. You also can’t rely on your dog or cat to notify you when they’re not okay since they may not feel the tick either. So, you could wind up with a sick pet with no prior warning.

How to Protect Your Pet

There are several protective options to keep your pet safe, such as:
  • Use Medications - You can talk with your vet about different topical ointments or oral medications that may kill ticks on contact or prevent their diseases. Although many tickborne illnesses don't have vaccines or treatments, you can protect against those that do. When using a topical treatment, check the instructions, so you never miss a dose. Otherwise, ticks can hitch a ride easily.
  • Tick-Proof Your Yard - The best tick prevention is to eliminate them from your property. You can use tick-based pest control solutions around your house so that there are fewer insects to latch onto your pet. Start these treatments before tick season and continue them during the off-season as well.
  • Inspect Your Pet - Another excellent way to prevent ticks is to check your pet regularly. Ideally, you can inspect their body every time they come in from outside, but you should do this at least twice or three times a week if your pet is outdoors often. Ticks prefer non-furry body parts, like the ears, anus, between the toes, and the underbelly.
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Contact Animal Wellness Center Today

Don’t wait until your pet gets sick to take action. At Animal Wellness Center, we can help you prevent tickborne diseases and keep your pet safe. Contact us today to find out more.

Top Tips for Keeping Your Dog Fit

Most dogs are naturally active and curious animals, meaning they need lots of love, affection, and exercise. However, since modern life can often get in the way, many dog owners don’t keep their pets as physically active as they should. If you start to notice your dog packing on the pounds, now’s the time to do something about it.

Top Tips for Keeping Your Dog Fit

Most dogs are naturally active and curious animals, meaning they need lots of love, affection, and exercise. However, since modern life can often get in the way, many dog owners don’t keep their pets as physically active as they should. If you start to notice your dog packing on the pounds, now’s the time to do something about it.
Here are four tips for keeping your dog fit.
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Pay Close Attention to Its Diet

Weight control starts with what you eat. It’s the same for humans and dogs. Fortunately, since dogs have a higher metabolism, it’s easier to shed pounds. So, a few tweaks to your dog’s diet should help it look trim and fit in no time. If necessary, talk with your vet about specific dietary needs or restrictions.
As a rule, your dog should never eat human food. So, if you’re feeding your pet table scraps regularly, changing the habit can yield some incredible benefits.

Exercise and Walk It Daily

Some breeds are more active than others. Generally, small dogs have more energy, but what really matters is the dog’s genetics. Do some research to figure out how often you should be walking your pet every day. Most dogs should be okay with one 30-minute walk daily. Some breeds may need two or more.
You can also exercise your dog by playing with it. For example, if your breed likes fetch, that’s an easy way to tire it out and give it some much-needed exercise. Physical activity is not just helpful for losing weight – it ensures the dog’s body is in peak condition.

Have Your Dog Interact With Other Dogs

Fitness is both mental and physical, so you have to stimulate your dog’s brain and body. Dogs are naturally social animals, which is a big reason why they’re so good with humans. Take your pet to the dog park regularly and let it interact with the other doggies there.

Get Regular Vet Checkups

Finally, the best way to ensure your dog stays healthy is to focus on preventative and comprehensive care. Rather than taking your pet to the vet whenever it’s sick, it’s better to bring it for an annual checkup. These visits allow you to spot potential health problems and eliminate them before they worsen.
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Protect Your Dog With Animal Wellness Center

Animal Wellness Center is committed to bringing high-quality veterinary care to your pets. Whether you have a puppy or an elderly dog, we can provide the best care and treatment. Contact us today to set up an appointment.

5 Ways to Keep Your Pet Active Indoors

Despite the unpleasant parts of the outdoors in winter, it’s still important for your pets’ mental and physical health to stay active and entertained each and every day – no matter how chilly or wet the weather might be.

The temperatures have plummeted. The sidewalks are covered in treacherous ice. The hard snowpack is rough on your dog’s paws, and there’s dangerously toxic salt and isomalt everywhere you look.
Despite the unpleasant parts of the outdoors in winter, it’s still important for your pets’ mental and physical health to stay active and entertained each and every day – no matter how chilly or wet the weather might be.
Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to get active and have a little fun with your pets while staying inside the comfort, warmth, and safety of your home. Next time you’re stuck indoors with your pets on a wintery day, give the following indoor activities a try!
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5 Indoor Activities to Do With Your Pets

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1. Build an Obstacle Course
Use cushions, chairs, blankets, and a hula hoop to build an agility course for your dog. Just be sure to reward them with a nice treat at the end of the run.
2. Play Hide and Seek
You can hide from your pet, hide a favorite toy, or hide a toy stuffed with treats somewhere in your house and encourage your dog to find it.
3. Try a Puzzle Toy
Puzzle toys have treats hidden within them but your dog has to solve the toy first. These provide hours of mental stimulation, entertainment, and activity.
4. Get a Snuffle Mat
Snuffle mats turn dinner into an activity. (They’re also a good solution for slowing down dogs that eat too fast!) These mats mimic the way a dog might eat in the natural world, helping them hone their foraging abilities while keeping them mentally engaged.
5. Play Tug-o-War
Get a strong rope toy, hold onto one end, and let your dog bite the other. Then let the tug-o-war begin. This is a great game for dogs who have already learned their obedience and manners. However, it’s not always recommended for puppies since it can teach them some bad habits by associated play with tugging things away from their owners.
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Schedule a Winter Checkup With a Veterinarian at Animal Wellness Center

If you’re concerned about your pet’s winter health or weight, we welcome you to schedule a wellness appointment at Animal Wellness Center. We can talk with you about your pet’s winter lifestyle, diet, activities, and more to ensure your pet’s ready to hit the ground running once the ice thaws.

How to Introduce a New Pet Into Your Home

Adopting a new pet is exciting, fun, and nerve-racking – especially when it comes to helping them get used to their new home.

How to Introduce a New Pet Into Your Home

Adopting a new pet is exciting, fun, and nerve-racking – especially when it comes to helping them get used to their new home.
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5 Tips for Introducing a New Pet Into Your Home

1. Have Everything You Need
Get all of your new pet supplies before you bring a new pet home so that you’ll be well prepared and not have to immediately leave and go to the store. Make sure your new pet has its own bed, food and water bowls, and toys.
2. Take Time
Be prepared to spend a good chunk of time at home with your new pet, even it means taking a couple of days off of work. Make sure your schedule will allow you to spend a few days at home while your pet gets acclimated to the new surroundings.
3. Give Them Space
It’s best not to toss your pet into the mix, giving them the full run of the house immediately – especially if you have other pets or small children. Instead, keep your new pet confined to a room or a small portion of your home. This can become a safe space for your pet where they can relax and eat their meals without feeling pressure or worry. As they get acclimated, you can slowly introduce them to the children and other animals in the house.
4. Go Slowly
Introduce new pets to your other pets slowly. First, allow them to get used to the scent of the other pet by sniffing each other under a door. Next, introduce a screen door or tall pet gate where the pets can smell and see each other but not physically interact. When you fully introduce your pets, don’t expect them to get along immediately, and don’t scold them for growling or setting boundaries with each other.
5. Use Positive Reinforcement Disease
Reward new introductions with plenty of treats.
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Establish Care With Animal Wellness Center

When you adopt a new pet, one of the first things you should do is to schedule a new pet appointment at one of Animal Wellness Center’s Wisconsin locations. We’ll thoroughly examine your new pet, help them become familiar with our office, and ensure they (and the rest of your family) are well protected with the proper vaccinations and parasite preventatives.
To learn more about Animal Wellness Center or for more advice about bringing a new pet home, we welcome you to contact any of our offices today.

Did You Know Your Pet Can Transfer These Skin Problems to You?

We love our pets, and one of the coziest ways to express the affection we feel is by snuggling up together. As much as we love them, our pets can, unfortunately, pick up contagious diseases, parasites, and infections that they can then spread to us, humans.

Did You Know Your Pet Can Transfer These Skin Problems to You?

We love our pets, and one of the coziest ways to express the affection we feel is by snuggling up together. As much as we love them, our pets can, unfortunately, pick up contagious diseases, parasites, and infections that they can then spread to us, humans.
While there are countless zoonotic diseases in the world, the following four can affect your skin.
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4 Skin Problems You Can Get From Your Pet

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1. Ringworm
Despite the name, ringworm is not actually a parasitic worm. It’s actually a type of fungus that can infect the skin of both pets and people. It causes hair loss, itchiness, dry/patchy feeling skin, lesions, and a scaly scalp. It’s typically treated with antifungal medications.
2. Scabies (Sarcoptic Mange)  
Microscopic parasitic mites called Sarcoptes cause sarcoptic mange. These mites bite into a pet’s skin and can be transferred to you through any kind of contact between your pet’s skin and yours. In humans, these mites cause a condition called scabies. In both people and pets, scabies and sarcoptic mange can be treated with medication.
3. Bacterial Skin Infections
Pets pick up a whole host of ickiness in their fur as they move about in the world and roll about in the smelly things they find outdoors. Several of these unpleasantries can cause bacterial infections in humans. One of the most common bacteria that can infect human skin is Staphylococcus.
Antibiotics can be used to treat these types of infections, and having your pet groomed professionally on a regular basis can help prevent them from occurring in the first place.
4. Creeping Eruption
Hookworm, a parasite that commonly afflicts dogs and cats, can also harm humans as it’s passed from pets to their owners’ skin, causing an infection called cutaneous larval migrans or “creeping eruption.” The infection causes blisters, a creeping rash, and itching.
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Comprehensive Veterinary Care and Pet Dermatology for a Healthier Household

If you’re concerned about contracting skin problems and other diseases from your pets, then we strongly encourage you to prioritize your pet’s wellness and preventative veterinary care. The best way to keep your entire family healthy is by preventing your pets from contracting diseases and exposing your household to them in the first place.
To learn more about the wellness and preventative care and veterinary dermatology services available at Animal Wellness Center, we welcome you to schedule an appointment at any of our Wisconsin locations today.

What Causes Pet Joint Pain?

If your dog has trouble standing up or laying down, jumping into your car, or running happily with abandon like they once did, it’s likely they’re suffering from joint pain

What Causes Pet Joint Pain?

If your dog has trouble standing up or laying down, jumping into your car, or running happily with abandon like they once did, it’s likely they’re suffering from joint pain. Joint pain, unfortunately, is fairly common in pets, and it can limit mobility, making it difficult for pets to enjoy the activities they love.
Joint pain in pets is a symptom of a variety of different ailments. While we can help relieve joint pain with a variety of treatments, it’s essential to diagnose the underlying cause of the pain to provide the safest, most effective relief while addressing the underlying cause.
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Common Causes of Pet Joint Pain

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Degenerative Diseases
Degenerative joint pain can occur as a result of age-related osteoarthritis which results in the wearing down of the cartilage that cushions your pet’s joints.
This type of joint pain and wearing down of cartilage also occurs as a result of repetitive use injuries. Joint degeneration that develops as a result of repetitive use can cause pets problems with age, as a result of being overweight, or as a result of suffering an injury.
In these cases, treatment depends on the underlying cause of the pet’s degenerative joint pain. Often a multifaceted approach to pain relief provides the most relief.
Developmental Disorders
Developmental problems are genetic in origin and occur naturally in dogs. They’re more common in some breeds than others and have a more detrimental effect on larger breeds.
Developmental disorders responsible for joint pain include issues like hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia. These disorders put extra stress and pressure on your pet’s joints, causing pain and often leading to other problems.
These types of joint problems can usually be most effectively resolved with orthopedic surgery.
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Pet Pain Management at Animal Wellness Center

At Animal Wellness Center in Wisconsin, we have a variety of treatments that can help address the underlying cause of your pet’s joint pain while relieving their painful symptoms. Pet pain can be treated in a variety of ways including pain medications, surgery, weight management, nutritional supplements and prescription diets, cold laser therapy, ultrasound, and spinal manipulation.
Depending on your pet’s needs, our veterinarians can recommend a multifaceted approach including holistic therapies and traditional veterinary treatments to safely address your pet’s pain.
To learn more or schedule a pet pain management consultation, we welcome you to contact any of our locations today.

Bloodwork: Why Even Young and Healthy Pets Benefit

Did you know, though, that healthy pets sometimes need diagnostic testing, like bloodwork, too? That’s right! Sometimes, we recommend running a blood test on healthy pets for the following reasons.

Bloodwork: Why Even Young and Healthy Pets Benefit

When you bring a sick pet to the veterinarian, you expect us to do some diagnostic testing to determine the underlying cause of their illness. Did you know, though, that healthy pets sometimes need diagnostic testing, like bloodwork, too?
That’s right! Sometimes, we recommend running a blood test on healthy pets for the following reasons.
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6 Reasons Why We Might Recommend a Blood Test for Your Healthy Pet

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1. Establish a Baseline of Health
Testing a sample of your pet’s blood when they’re healthy and normal helps us establish a baseline of what your pet’s blood counts and organ function look like when they’re healthy. As a result, we’re better able to identify slight changes that could indicate developing problems.
2. Check for Parasites
We use a blood test to screen your pets for signs of parasites like heartworms. It’s essential to test dogs for heartworm infection before administering a heartworm parasite preventative because giving a heartworm preventative to a dog that has already been infected could be fatal.
3. Check Organ Function Before Surgery
A blood test helps us determine whether a pet is healthy enough to undergo general anesthesia before surgery or a pet dental cleaning.
4. Check Organ Function Before Prescribing Medication
Certain medications can be hard on a pet’s organs, so it’s essential to ensure that they’re healthy before we write a prescription.
5. Early Detection, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Disease
Routine bloodwork for healthy pets helps us detect the earliest signs of disease. Early diagnosis leads to more effective treatment and helps us prevent your pets from getting seriously ill.
6. Ongoing Disease and Medication Management
Otherwise healthy pets that are living with chronic diseases require regular bloodwork to ensure that their medication is effective and their disease is safely managed.

Complete Wellness and Preventative Care for Pets in Wisconsin

We recommend that healthy adult pets visit the veterinarian at least once a year for a physical examination, vaccine boosters, and all the wellness and preventative care they need to stay healthy and happy. Senior pets, pets living with chronic diseases, puppies, and kittens typically need to visit the veterinary clinic a little more frequently. Our veterinarians can help you determine the schedule that’s right for your pet.
To learn more about bloodwork or to schedule your pet’s next wellness appointment, we welcome you to contact Animal Wellness Center today.