Dr. Don DeForge Silver Sands Veterinary

July 3rd 2012-Animal Doc AM Multi-Media Dr. Don DeForge CANINES WITH THUNDERSTORM ANXIETY Coping Strategies We are now in the summer thunder and lightening storm time of the year and many dogs and some cats become very frightened by the sizzling, crackling, and loud bang of these storms.            Common signs seen in dogs with noise phobia are: Hiding Trembling Panting Whining Howling Pacing Destructive behavior in home Attempts to break through screens Pawing at the floor and scratching a door to escape Vomiting Urinating and defecating in the home Other violent behavioral changes      These problems are serious and must be addressed.  I advise all pet owners to have an immediate consultation with their veterinarian.  Don't let these problems get out of control.  Your veterinarian may ask you to see a specialist, a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists.      Discuss with your doctor a specific Behavior Modification Program for your dog and Systematic D

A Hidden Danger in Your Back Yard  "Lyme Disease" 25June2012 There are two factors necessary for Lyme Disease to exist: the tick perpetrator, i.e. deer tick; and the bacteria, a spiral-shaped bacteria {spirochete}, Borrelia burgdorferi.  Lyme Disease can be found throughout the United States and, also, is very common in Connecticut. In your special companion, the signs of Lyme Disease may include: Lack of Appetite Lameness Fever Acting distant or lethargic Resisting Exercise or play Swollen joints Kidney failure-documented with lab testing by your veterinarian As the disease progresses, there can be serious injury to the joints and in some instances fatal kidney disease. The Diagnosis of Lyme Disease is with a simple blood test by your veterinarian called the 4DXplus Test by IDEXX Labs.  This test will allow your veterinarian not only to check for Lyme Disease but also for three other tick born diseases.  From this test, you will also find out if your dog is Heartworm Positiv

Animal Doc AM Multi-Media 19June2012 with Dr. Don DeForge Are You Poisoning Your Cat? There are three common poisoning areas in and around your home that can lead to serious toxicity in your cat: Over the counter and prescription medicines Plants Rodenticides, Pesticides, Herbicides, and Chemicals stored in your home Category #1 Medicines Be very careful with medicines.  Pills can be dropped on the floor that cats can lick up. Cats can also break open foil wraps and ingest medicines.  Knocked over pill bottles with lids non-secured are also attractive to cats.  Keep all of your medicines in locked medicine cabinets. Poisoning can occur with many medicines including: heart medicines, blood pressure medicines, anti-coagulant medicines, anti-depressants, and pain killers.  Never give your cat Acetominophen or Ibuprofen for pain.  Aspirin should only be used under the direction of a veterinarian in the new low dosage formulation. Category #2 Poisonous Plants There are many plants toxic to

THE GREATEST THREAT TO YOUR COMPANION DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS! Flea Allergy Dermatitis: Comments from Animal Doc AM MultiMedia 12June2012 Summer is just around the corner [8 DAYS AWAY] and the fleas are on parade.  With fleas comes that dreaded flea allergy dermatitis. As the temperatures rise and with the humidity of summer the life cycle of the flea and time needed for development reaches optimum conditions. Female fleas lay their eggs 24-36 hours after a blood meal from a dog or cat.  Hatching takes place in 1-10 days.  A single female flea can lay 1000 eggs within 30 days.  Many females will lay 2000 eggs during their life time. Eggs most commonly hatch in the environment or home.  Larva soon develops and feed on adult flea feces.  Larva are sensitive to heat and after molting become the resistant pupa stage.  Fleas can pupate up to six months.  After emerging from the pupa or cocoon adult fleas migrate to a dog or cat [or other species] where feeding and mating takes place in 24

“Much unhappiness has come into the world because of bewilderment and things left unsaid.” ― Fyodor Dostoyevsky There seems to be some confusion out in radio world; I am no longer on WICC 600 AM Radio; the veterinarian that you heard this past Tuesday morning was not Dr. Don DeForge....I am still Animal Doc AM but not on WICC-I truly miss WICC and not being with Tony and Mike on their Morning Sho w-each Tuesday was a special delight being with all of you on your drive in or listening on the Internet. Continue to follow FB[Animal Doc AM] and Twitter-Time to Talk Fact with Don DeForge to find out more about the NEW Animal Doc AM Multi-Media....thanks to all...I will miss all my listeners from WICC...stay tuned to FB for new developments. Don DeForge-always Animal Doc AM! 07 June 2012