Did you know that a dog’s sense of smell is on average 10,000 to 100,000 times superior to that of humans? Dogs have over 200 million scent receptors in their noses versus humans who have only 5 million. If you were to unfold and spread out the membranes from a dog’s nose, they would be larger than the dog itself.

Scientists have recently discovered that dogs can actually smell the presence of autism in children. A 2006 study found that dogs could also positively identify breast and lung cancer with 99 percent accuracy. It’s not clear whether it’s smell or some other sense that Seizure Alert dogs use to alert their humans of an oncoming epileptic seizure. Whatever the reason, we're glad our canine companions have such a keen sense of smell!

Are itching and scratching making life miserable for your pet? These symptoms may not be caused by fleas or ticks...but may be the cause of other skin irritations or allergies. We can help your suffering pet. Ask us about your pets condition at your next appointment with us.

Does it seem like your dog is out of breath after a walk up the stairs? Or is your cat taking up a lot more space on the top of the couch than he used to? Overweight pets may seem like they are happy, but an extra five pounds can be harmful to their health. They can suffer from heart, lung and joint problems. We recommend a sensible diet along with regular exercise and a trip to our hospital to determine if and how much weight your pet needs to lose.

 

Pet Spotlight of the Month-Sara

Pet Spotlight of the Month- Dad says Sara is a very good friend and companion. She was adopted at 5 months of age from not so desirable conditions and is now 2 years and 4 months old. In early November, Sara developed a slight limp that progressively got worse. In early December, she was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma and underwent surgery to amputate her left front leg. Shortly after, she started chemotherapy with phenomenal results. The staff and doctors at Sajo Farm Veterinary Hospital love when Sara is at the hospital. She never fails to lift the spirits of everyone that she comes into contact with. Sara has a younger sister Bella who is a 4 month old Poodle. Sara loves all other animals and people. She is incredibly excitable and loves to play with toys and her sister. Sara is always willing to share all her toys, treats, and attention with Bella. Her favorite treats are Beggin strips and she loves to ride in the car.

Cats and dogs find anti-freeze quite tasty and if they come across a spill, they will lick it. Keep new and used antifreeze in sealed containers, away from pets. If a cat walks through a puddle of antifreeze, then licks his paws, he can ingest enough antifreeze to become gravely ill or even die. If you suspect your pet has ingested anti-freeze, please call us immediately.

Heartworms, fleas, ticks and other parasites can be prevented! These parasites can wreck havoc on your pet's body and make their lives miserable. We recommend a simple yearly blood parasite screening and year-round heartworm and parasite prevention. Contact us to discuss the most appropriate product for your pet.

As the weather turns colder, we need to remember our senior pets. Cold weather can affect bad joints and cause arthritic flare ups. Even a quick trip to the bathroom could cause some injury if they have to go down some icy stairs. Please be mindful of your senior pet during this season.