Fall Newsletter 2021

Separation Anxiety in a Covid World

We all know that the Covid-19 Pandemic has changed our world in many ways, but we didn’t realize how much it would affect the companion animal world. Many families adopted or purchased new pets during their increased time at home, for companionship and entertainment. It also seemed like a great time to get a new pet, since they could be trained easier with owners home all day. Plus, all that bonding time! Who could pass that up?

Fast forward to today, many people are returning to work & school, but our pets are not used to this new routine. We went from spending all day with our new family members to getting back to normal life. That can be confusing for animals. These “pandemic pets” may feel that they have been abandoned. Many are kept in their crates. Some are left with run of the house. These pets are without human interaction for 8-10 hours a day. These new experiences can cause our animals anxiety, and therefore, destructive behaviors.

Some behaviors you may see in these cases are scratching at the door, ripping up carpet, and chewing furniture. We also see animals bark and howl, or cry while they are home alone. There is a chance that animals may hurt themselves trying to escape crates that have never been used before, or that haven’t been used in over 1 year.

Don’t worry though; there are ways you can prevent these unwanted behaviors. Most of these animals just need more mental stimulation. Some things you can try at home include food balls, puzzles, or snuffle mats. You can try many be calming music, Adaptil (artificial pheromones), or a thunder shirt. In some cases, a pet may need supplements or medications to help calm their anxiety.

Let us know if you have noticed any of these behaviors in your pandemic pets! Our Licensed Veterinary Technician, Erica, is knowledgeable in animal behavior & can help make a behavior plan for your animal. Please call our office to get further information on our behavior consultations.

Acupuncture

What is Acupuncture? 

It is characterized by the insertion of needles into specific points on the body to produce a healing response for numerous ailments. Each acupuncture point has specific actions when stimulated. Acupuncture operates on the concept that pathways in the body, called meridians, have access points. These are the locations, or points used for acupuncture. Double blind clinical trials have established that acupuncture does improve clinical outcomes in the treatment of many conditions in both animals and people, but we do not have a full understanding of the neurologic or biochemical basis of how acupuncture works. It provides a safe and effective alternative and/or additive treatment modality that will keep your pet more comfortable.

How does it work? 

From a traditional Chinese veterinary medicine point of view, acupuncture helps return the body’s balance of Qi and blood flow to normal, so the body can heal itself from sickness or injury. When an acupuncture point is stimulated, normal flow of energy and blood can be increased or restored. From a Western veterinary medicine point of view, acupuncture stimulates nerves, increases blood circulation, improves flow of inflammatory cells, relieves muscle spasms, activates the immune system, and causes the release of hormones, such as endorphins (one of the body’s pain control chemicals) and cortisol (a natural steroid).

What is it used for?

• Osteoarthritis/Degenerative joint disease

• Intervertebral disc disease

• Neoplasia (cancer)

• Trauma (surgery, car accidents, animal fights, and falling)

• Muskuloskeletal conditions

• Metabolic disorders (kidney/liver failure, pancreatitis, feline hyperthyroidism, Cushing’s disease, Addison’s disease, hypothyroidism, and diabetes mellitus, etc.)

• Cardiomyopathies, respiratory illness

• Behavioral modification, athletic performance

• Skin problems, GI upset, reproductive issues

• Immune-mediated condition

Dr. Cotter is a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist, having studied at the Chi Institute in Reddick, FL. Let us know if you would like more information on our acupuncture services.

Exciting News!!!

We are so excited to share that we will be breaking ground on our building expansion and remodel project this month!

Work will be done in phases, allowing us to stay open during construction. The first phase will be building the expansion onto the current building. During this phase, we will be operating as usual. The second phase will involve remodeling our current space. This will start once the expansion is finished. When that time comes, we will be operating out of the new half of the building until the construction is finished. We intend to continue to provide full and uninterrupted services.

We want to thank you ahead of time for your patience during the construction process. If you have any questions about this project or how it will affect daily operations, please contact our Practice Manager, Maggie. Also, keep an eye on our website & Facebook for updates.