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It's Cold Outside
Protect Your Pet this Winter

Cold weather is officially here and it’s important to remember that pets have to endure the same bitter temperatures as their owners. Pets rely on people to help them stay warm when the weather is cold. Here are a few tips to keep Fluffy and Fido safe during the cold days of winter. 

Bring your pet inside: Don't leave your pet outside in the cold for long periods of time. Wind chill makes the air colder than actual temperature readings. Be attentive to your pet's body temperature and limit time outdoors, especially to prevent frostbite on ears, tail and feet. If you run with your dog, be attentive to cold paws and leave Fido at home if it gets too cold. Always keep your Kitty inside. It's the law in the City of St. Louis. Furthermore, "outside" cats are often the victims of cars, dogs and inhumane people.

 Play Public Service Announcement

Provide adequate shelter: Adequate shelter is mandatory by law. If your dog lives outdoors, you must provide a well-insulated and draft-free doghouse. The opening should face south with a sturdy, flexible covering to prevent icy winds from entering. Keep straw (NOT hay) inside the doghouse. Avoid towels and blankets which can easily dampen and make the space colder.

Beware of antifreeze and rock salt: Antifreeze, which often collects on driveways and roadways, is highly poisonous. Although it smells and tastes good to your pet -- it is lethal. If you suspect your pet has ingested antifreeze, contact your veterinarian immediately! Rock salt, used to melt ice on sidewalks, can irritate footpads. Be sure to rinse and dry your pet's feet after being outside.

Provide plenty of food and water: It takes more energy in the winter to keep body temperature regulated, so your pet needs additional calories if he spends a lot of time outdoors or is a working animal. Also, provide plenty of fresh water. Your pet is just as likely to get dehydrated in the winter as in the summer. Snow is not a substitute for water. And, remember that water can freeze if kept in a bowl outside. 

For more cold weather tips visit our website. 

Keep Warm This Winter
Don't Forget The Humane Society of Missouri Gift Shops
 

These items and many more can be found at our Humane Society of Missouri gift shops.
Click here for HSMO gift shop locations.  

Remember: Each time you shop, you are helping homeless animals find new, forever, loving homes!

Longmeadow Rescue Ranch
Healing Bay Barn Construction

The demolition is complete and the new Healing Bay Barn construction has officially begun!

See pictures of the demolition here.

It's Resolution Time Again
We Have Some Great Ideas  

HAPPY 2008 TO ALL LIVING CREATURES!

Now is the perfect time to talk about resolutions to help make ourselves and our shared world a better place. 

If you are like nearly 63% of American households, you share your heart and home with a pet. 

Adopt a pet.  Visit an animal shelter and give a homeless dog, cat, rabbit or small critter another chance at life.  Our shelters are full of loving animals eager to give you their best.

Have your dog or cat spayed or neutered.  Your pet will be healthier and live longer because of this simple procedure.  Did you know that each day, more than 70,000 animals are estimated to be born in the United States? And only a few will be fortunate enough to find loving, caring  homes. Tell your friends and neighbors about spaying and neutering as well.

Visit the veterinarian.  An annual appointment for vaccinations and an examination will help to keep your pets healthy.  Be sure to ask your veterinarian about heartworms, flea control and microchipping.

Sign up for an obedience class. If your dog's behavior could use a little fine-tuning and refinement, regardless of your pet’s age, sign up for obedience classes.  You’ll both enjoy the experience and benefit from the bond you’ll develop.

Take care of small critters. Small pets, like rabbits, hamsters, rats, guinea pigs, and mice, need attention too.  Offer them some variety in their diets and supply them with clean bedding, stimulating toys, and a roomy habitat.

Microchip your pet. Find out about micro-chipping and the wonderful way it is uniting people with lost pets. Fit your cat or dog with a collar, complete with current ID tags. Make sure the collar fits correctly, especially if you have a young pet that is growing. 

If a stray animal “adopts” you, bring it to us.  Stray animals seldom live to a ripe, old age on the streets.  Save it from suffering and bring it into safety. It may have an owner who is searching for it and we can help facilitate its safe return.

Bring your cat inside—permanently.  Indoor cats live longer, healthier, safer lives.  They can get all the exercise they need inside your house.  A sunny window is the only contact they need with the outdoor world.

Pick up the poop.  Be a good neighbor and clean up after your pet.  You—and your pet—will gain popularity in the neighborhood.

Get involved.  Volunteer to help animals. You’ll feel better about yourself and will make the world a better place for the animals.

These suggestions are relatively painless for you, but can make all the difference in your pet’s lives.  As we develop a keen awareness and appreciation for the lives of other living creatures, we are helping to make our world a better place for all.   Happy New Year from the animals at the Humane Society of Missouri!

Teachers…….Create a Class! Parents, you can pass this info to your favorite teacher:

The Humane Society of Missouri’s education department has a fun, educational and interactive program called “Create a Class.”  Call today and make arrangements for your students to visit our beautiful animals and gain some great lessons in character education at the same time.  To make a reservation, call 314-951-1568.  We’ll resolve now to make a better world for people and pets!

Behavior Tip:
Does my dog have separation anxiety?

Ask the Vet:
My dog was just diagnosed with arthritis. What can I do to help her manage it?

 Dr. Suzanne Saueressig, DVM

The signs may be hard to spot at first: your gray-in-the-muzzle Labrador retriever takes a little longer to get up in the morning, or your fuzzy Persian doesn't jump as high as she used to. As time goes on, it becomes more and more clear that your pet is having a hard time moving, and soon you realize that she is in pain whenever she walks, jumps, or even sits up. It can be a hard moment for a pet owner—learning that the animal you love has arthritis. Arthritis is a condition in which an animal's joints

Step One—Your Veterinarian
The first step in caring for your pet with arthritis is making sure the disease is diagnosed correctly. The symptoms of arthritis can be hard to distinguish—animals can't complain about their aching joints, so all that pet "parents" see is a response to pain. Animals with arthritis might avoid the activities they used to enjoy, stop jumping onto the furniture, or they might nip or seem upset when touched. Some animals may become depressed or change their eating habits; others may simply seem grumpier than usual. These symptoms can also indicate very serious problems, however, such as hypokalemia (low blood potassium) in cats, cognitive dysfunction, or certain cancers. To be sure your pet is healthy, it's important that you take you pet to the veterinarian if you suspect she has arthritis.

Treating Your Pet Right
After diagnosing your pet's arthritis and determining the severity of the disease, your veterinarian will decide which treatment will be most effective in treating her. In recent years, many new medications have made the treatment of arthritis much more promising. Your veterinarian might prescribe steroids and anti-inflammatory drugs to decrease the swelling in joints and make movement easier. Some veterinarians also recommend dietary supplements, which fortify the cartilage in damaged joints. It is very important that you not try to medicate your pet's arthritis on your own, however, as human anti-inflammatories and supplements can be dangerous for animals. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is toxic to cats, for example, and cats metabolize aspirin extremely slowly and are easy to overdose.

Surgery is also an option for some animals with arthritis, particularly younger animals. Veterinary surgeons can try to reconstruct joints to give them more stability, or they may perform an arthroscopy to remove chips of damaged bone. In some large and medium breed dogs, veterinarians will chose to replace the entire hip joint. In cats and smaller breeds, they may recommend removing the top of the femoral (upper leg) bone—the leg muscles are able to compensate for the loss. In some extreme cases, where joints are very painful, unstable, and immobile, a veterinarian may perform arthrodesis—"fusing" the joint together. Your veterinarian will be able to tell you how viable surgery is for your animal—depending on your pet's age and general health and the progression of the arthritis, surgery may or may not be an option.

Many pet owners and veterinarians are turning to complementary or holistic therapies to reduce arthritis symptoms. Acupuncture is becoming increasingly popular as a treatment for chronic pain, for example. Some practitioners support the use of herbal supplements and antioxidant vitamins. Massage is also gaining support, as it benefits animals both physically and emotionally. Because arthritic animals have such sore joints and muscles, however, massages can be painful for them if performed by an untrained person. Ask your veterinarian how to massage your pet without hurting her tender joints, or take her to a trained animal massage therapist.

Making Life a Little Easier
Even with treatment, arthritis makes animals less able to deal with the physical challenges of their world, whether it be slick floors, steep steps, or cold drafts. As your pet's human "parent," however, you have the ability to take some of those challenges away and make it easier for your furry friend to cope. A few alterations around the house can help your arthritic pet to move around more easily and confidently.

Keep litter boxes and food and water dishes at a comfortable height, easily accessible, and on a non-slip surface such as a rubber bath mat or a piece of indoor-outdoor carpet. In a multi-level house, keep them on every floor.

Supply a padded surface to cushion your pet's joints while she sits and sleeps. Pet store dog and cat beds will work, as will bean bag chairs and old mattresses. Place the padding in a warm, draft-free spot.
If your cat's litter box has high sides, cut a cat-sized opening in one side to let him step in and out easily, leaving one to two inches at the bottom to keep litter from spilling out.

Ramps can help animals make it up and down stairs, on and off the porch, on and off the couch, and anywhere else where the jump may be too far for their sore joints. You can construct your own ramp with a sheet of heavy plywood covered in indoor-outdoor carpeting. Just make sure that both ends are completely secure when your pet is on the ramp, and be sure that the angle is not too steep.

Carpeted staircase to aid pets with joint problems.

Some pets that are too stiff to use the stairs will try to use them regardless, possibly falling and hurting themselves in the process. Supervise your pet when she is using the stairs, and use a baby gate or sheet of plywood to keep the steps off limits the rest of the time.
If you have large dog, a homemade sling can help you support a little of her weight as she tries to move around. Slip a long, wide strap made of leather, canvas, or a thick, durable fabric under her chest and hold one end in each hand. You can pull up on the ends to help her stand up and get her balance; you can also use the sling to help your dog into the car and up the stairs.

Groom your pet regularly. As animals lose flexibility in their joints, they can't reach around to scratch or groom themselves the way they used to. Cats, particularly, may develop matted or dirty fur—very upsetting to a finicky feline! Regular brushing will help your pet feel comfortable and allow you to spend some quiet, affectionate time with her.

There are other ways you can help your pet at home. Think about how she spends her day, what she likes to do, and where she has to go. Think about what you can do to make each activity less strenuous and safer. If she has a favorite place to sleep, consider how you can help her get there. If she wants to climb upstairs with you to watch TV, try watching TV downstairs. You have the best awareness of your pet's specific needs, and you may be inspired with some creative solutions!

Keep them moving
Once you have modified your pet's environment, you can modify her lifestyle as well. A little exercise can go a long way toward making your pet more comfortable. Light activity helps strengthen muscles, keeps ligaments and tendons flexible, prevents obesity and helps blood circulate to stiff joints. Many arthritic animals move more easily and with less pain after they "warm up" with a minute or two of walking or gentle playing. Your pet may be reluctant to move at first—it can be hard to convince animals to get up when their joints are aching. You may have to provide an incentive—trail Kitty's favorite feather toy across the floor or fill a Kong ball with food for your pup and make him chase after it. Make the exercise as positive an experience as possible by including lots of petting and affection before and after, or perhaps a healthy treat afterward.

Your pet will also benefit from a healthy diet and weight management. Obesity makes arthritis hard to manage. It increases the stress on an animal's joints and makes it harder for them to move. Arthritis patients do well on high quality diets, fed in controlled portions, which maintain their weight at a healthy level. If you can't feel your pet's ribs easily, consult your veterinarian about dietary and exercise management to bring her weight down to normal.

There are a lot of options for coping with a pet with arthritis, and sometimes they can be overwhelming. Your closest ally in your battle against the disease is your family veterinarian. Talk to your veterinarian: he or she will know which treatment or combination of treatments is best for your pet's individual needs. Most importantly, try not to get discouraged. Arthritis may well change your life with your pet, but it certainly doesn't mean that that life is over. You may not be able to jog with your dog like you used to, for example, or get your cat to jump up after his feather toy, but you can replace these lost activities with time spent petting, grooming, massaging, or simply being near your animal friend. As you spend time caring for your pet with arthritis, you may find your bond with your pet actually increasing. Your energetic, playful friendship may eventually be replaced with the joy of a gentle, caring life together.

“Arthritis"
Healthypet.com. American Animal Hospital Association. <http://www.healthypet.com/library_view.aspx?ID=33&sid=1>.

Whether your pet was adopted from the Humane Society of Missouri or came from someplace else, we would be honored to care for your best friend.  Our more than 20 licensed veterinarians and veterinary technicians see clients by appointment, Monday-Saturday at the following locations. Please call for an appointment.

Humane Society of Missouri
St. Louis Veterinary
Medical Center
1201 Macklind Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63110
phone: (314) 951-1534

Humane Society of Missouri
Westport Area Veterinary
Medical Center
in Maryland Heights
2400 Drilling Service Rd.
Maryland Heights, MO 63043
phone: (314) 951-1590

Humane Society of Missouri
Chesterfield Valley Veterinary
Medical Center
17357 Edison Avenue
Chesterfield, MO 63005
phone: (636) 530-0807