If your dog is not showing other signs of illness, you can save yourself a trip to the vet if you wait 12 hours and do the following:

1.      Take away all food and water so that the irritated intestinal tract can settle down. Nothing makes a vomiting dog vomit more than a big drink of water or a large meal. You may allow the dog to drink very small amounts, and in this short time, if your dog is otherwise healthy, you don't have to worry about dehydration. If the diarrhea resolves, after 24 hours, you may give your dog very small amounts of a bland food, such as drained, cooked hamburger mixed with an equal amount of cooked rice.

2.      Observe your dog closely. Is behavior and activity otherwise normal? Think about and try to identify the cause of the problem. Could your dog have eaten something (like grass, garbage, or a dead animal) that upset its digestive system? Has your dog been wormed lately? Watch how your dog vomits or eliminates so you can describe it to your vet if symptoms persist. Examine the stool or vomit. Collect samples if you believe you will need to take your dog in. Monitor the dog's weight for possible weight loss.

When you should call your veterinarian

Vomiting:

• blood in vomit
• vomiting accompanied by diarrhea
• vomit looks and smells like stool
• vomiting is projectile
• vomiting is sporadic and there is no relationship to meals
• multiple bouts of vomiting occur over a short period of time
• ingestion of a poison (like antifreeze or fertilizer) is suspected
• vomiting persists more than a day or two
• stomach bloating occurs or your dog tries to vomit but can't
• dog also appears listless
• there is weight loss
• dog is showing other signs of illness such as labored breathing or pain.

Diarrhea:

• bloody diarrhea
• diarrhea accompanied by vomiting
• multiple bouts of vomiting occur over a short period of time
• ingestion of a poison is suspected
• fever and other signs of toxicity are present
• diarrhea persists more than a day or two
• dog also appears listless
• there is weight loss

dog is showing other signs of illness such as labored breathing or pain

Giving Medicine to Cats and Dogs

All the medications you have been given for your pet are important. Be sure you understand how to give each one before leaving the Animal Medical Center. If questions arise once you are at home, do not hesitate to contact your veterinarian during his or her phone time.

First, check the label of your medications(s) for specifics such as whether it should be refridgerated and whether it should be given before or after meals, etc. It is important that you understand when to give your pet its medication. In addition to the oral instructions given to you by your veterinarian, written instructions accompany each medication. Unless otherwise instructed by your veterinarian, start with the first dose when you get up in the morning and space the other doses equally throughout the day until bedtime.

How to Give a Pill or Capsule

Dogs: Have your dog sit at your side. Place one hand on the upper jaw and press the dog's lips gently against the sides of the teeth with your fingers. With the fingers of your other hand, pull the lower jaw down and place the pill on the base of the tongue, far back in the mouth. Close the mouth, return the head and neck to normal position, and blow on the dog's nose or massage his throat to encourage swallowing. Any form of distraction (praising, stroking, etc) will also help to get the dog to swallow.

Some dogs are easier to medicate if you put the pill in a small amount of canned dog food, cheese, or peanut butter. Offer it to your pet and be sure that he swallows it. Some pets will appear to have eaten something only to spit it out when you are not looking.

Cats: Place a towel on a table and put your cat on the towel (this gives the cat something to cling to), or place the cat on your rug. Gently open the mouth and insert the pill at the back of the tongue. If your cat tries to scratch you, try wrapping its body and legs in a towel, leaving only its head sticking out. If you cradle your cat in one arm, and place your thumb and forefinger on either side of its face, you can force the mouth open by applying gentle pressure at the space between the teeth. This should allow you to deposit the pill in your cat's mouth, preferably at the back of the tongue. Next, return the head and neck to a normal position, massage your cat's throat, blow on his nose, or otherwise distract him until he swallows.

Administering Liquid Medication

Some medications are available in liquid form. Make sure that you tell your veterinarian if you have a preference.

Dogs and Cats: Gently pull the corner of the mouth away from the face to form a "pocket." Slowly give a small amount of the liquid. Allow your pet to swallow before giving more liquid. Do not squirt all the mediation into your pet's mouth at once.

Applying Ear Drops and Ear Ointments

Before administering ear medication, the ears may need to be cleaned. Your veterinarian may recommend a cleanser, or you can use moistened swabs. To apply the medication, push back the ear flap and gently position the applicator or tip of the tube in the base of the ear. Discharge the number of drops or amount of ointment prescribed. Gently massage the base of the ear with your fingers to help the medication work its way into the ear canal.

Applying Eye Drops and Ointments

Before administering eye medication, be sure that the eye lids are clear of discharge. Ask your veterinarian if a special eye wash is needed, or you can use warm water on a cotton ball to gently cleanse around the eyes. Next, use your thumb and forefinger to open the eyelids. With your other hand, place the 1 to 2 drops or a tiny amount of ointment on the eye or the pink tissue around the eye. Your pet will blink and the medication will cover the entire eye. When applying medication to the eye, try to avoid your pet's direct line of vision when approaching, and avoid touching the eye with the container of medication.

• Be sure to give all medication as directed by your veterinarian.
• Be sure that you understand whether you are to give the medication until it is entirely used up or for a specified number of days.
• Be sure that you understand how the medication should be stored and special instructions for giving the medication.
• If you have any problems administering the medication, contact your veterinarian.

If the condition worsens or does not improve as expected, contact your veterinarian.

Overweight Pets = Unhealthy Pets

Are we harming our pets by sharing a treat with them? Or by feeding them every time we think that they want to eat? Or by making their food constantly available to them? Maybe we are. Some of the foods that we, as humans, like to share with our pets is extremely dangerous to them and others are not good for them at all. Chocolate and onions are very dangerous. Sugar, spices, salt and raw fish are not good for them.

Actually, if our pets consume too much of any food, it is harmful to them when it leads to an overweight animal. An overweight animal will experience a shortness of breath as all the internal organs become compressed. Obesity also shortens their life expectancy and causes many secondary, life threatening conditions such as diabetes, liver and kidney problems. They are less able to exercise, play and enjoy life. A lean pet is a healthy, active and responsive pet. We should be able to feel the ribs of our pets, with a light cover of body fat under the skin. If you cannot feel the ribs, they are overweight.

If we have an overweight pet, the way to help them lose weight is to feed top quality food in small amounts, often and exercise more.