The 6th Annual Dog Lover’s Walk at the Landings is a fundraising event for our community and their pets. Three walking routes are available.  Registration will begin Saturday, February 25th at 8:30 am. Participants are encouraged to join individually or create a team. Individuals do not have to be present to participate.  For more information go to

By Kevin C. Ray, B.S., Ed., CPDT-KA, VSPDT

When it comes to hiring a pet sitter, how do you choose?

For starters make sure the sitter is insured and has references. If you feel overwhelmed by the large number of pet-sitting services that meet these criteria, here are some additional tips to help you narrow down your search:

1. What type of service is best suited for you and your pet? Most sitters offer home visits and they will visit your home one or more times per day. Overnight pet sitters sleep at your residence. If you would rather have your dog stay at the sitter’s home, look for someone who offers boarding and tour their home. If the sitter has a problem with this request; think twice about leaving your dog there.
2. The best way to find a reliable pet sitter is to get referrals from others. Ask your friends and coworkers, or visit online bulletin boards or chat rooms for advice. You can also read pet sitter reviews on the internet; www.yelp.com and www.angieslist.com are two popular review sites.
3. Beware of marketing gimmicks! A pet sitting service advertising that they’re “licensed,” can be misleading since there is no professional licensing for pet sitters. They’re probably referring to a standard business license – which most cities require for every business.
4. Can the pet sitter provide written proof that he or she has commercial liability insurance (to cover accidents and negligence) and are they bonded (to cover theft)? A quick internet search of pet sitters inSavannah,GAproduced 369 potential candidates, many of whom were college students and I didn’t see ‘insurance’ mentioned on any of the postings I looked at.
5. Membership in a national pet sitters’ organization like Pet Sitters International (PSI) or The National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS) is a good start. Both organizations offer certification programs which require individuals to meet certain objective criteria through a course of study and testing. Most reputable sitters belong to at least one such group, since it’s a requirement for obtaining liability insurance. You must assess a candidate’s experience and professionalism for yourself.
6. If your pets have health problems, look for someone who is familiar with the conditions and their treatment. Many sitters have trained in Pet First Aid/CPR. Certified pet sitters are required to know this. Some sitters have volunteered with animal shelters/rescue groups, where they’ve received training on common medical problems.
7. Ask what will happen if the pet sitter experiences car trouble or becomes ill? Does he or she have a backup?
8. Will the pet sitter provide related services such as in-home grooming, dog walking, dog training, and play time?
9. Will the pet sitter provide a written service contract spelling out services and fees?
10. If the pet sitter provides live-in services, what are the specific times he or she agrees to be with your pet? Is this detailed in the contract?
11. How will your pet sitter know when you have returned home and that they are relieved of the responsibility for your pet/s’ care?

If the above criteria have been met, the final test is your gut. Trust your instincts when choosing a pet sitter. If you got a good feeling after the initial phone call and/or email exchange, make an appointment for you and your pets to meet the candidate. If the person shows patience and affection toward your pets, and your pets like the person in return, chances are you’ve found a good fit!

We have all had those days where nothing seems to be going right and our well- planned- out- day is shot up with unexpected events. That was how my day off went several weeks ago.
I was on the phone dealing with a family crisis when I heard a crash. I had been cleaning out my refrigerator when the phone rang and had turned my back to the kitchen counter to talk. That split second was enough time for my new dog, who at only eleven pounds can jump high enough to get on my kitchen counters, to do just that. Unfortunately, before I could get on the scene, he had scarfed up a whole bowl of grapes.
I have a great fear of my dogs getting grapes as I lived for many years with my Cairn who had genetic kidney issues and who could not have tolerated grapes. Kelsy was well trained, however, and the command “drop” was used to keep us out of danger on many occasions. That is not the case yet with my new one, Jake. He grabbed the grapes so fast that I didn’t have a chance to react and then he gobbled them down whole.
I immediately called Case Veterinary Hospital and spoke with one of the available doctors. He confirmed what I already knew needed to be done-make Jake throw up the grapes before they got into his digestive system. I did not have a bottle of hydrogen peroxide to do the nasty deed (note to self-keep some on hand at all times) so I went to two neighbors trying to borrow some. They did not understand my fear as they had never heard that grapes were toxic to pets. There was no time to educate them, I just grabbed the bottle and rushed back home.
Scooping Jake up and taking him outside, I took a large syringe and began to get him to swallow the liquid. My mission was to give it to him until I made him vomit up the grapes. It took thirty long minutes. During that time, Jake struggled, cried, clenched his teeth, broke free and cowered in the corner of the yard. Several minutes into the ordeal, I was crying as well and trying to tell him how sorry I was but this needed to be done for his own good. I felt like I was torturing him and he was certainly terrorized. I prayed that he would forgive me.
He did eventually vomit the grapes (still whole). He did forgive me. After two days of digestive upset, he did recover. It has taken me somewhat longer. I hope that I never have to do that again and I am on a mission to make sure we never have to tell a client to do this at home. It is not something for the weak -hearted. I found this so traumatizing, even with all my years of training.
So, in an effort to educate as many people as possible, here is a list of the top 10 toxins in the kitchen.
• Chocolate
• Grapes, raisins, and currants
• Xylitol/sugar free gum/candy
• Fatty table scraps
• Onions and garlic
• Compost
• Human medications
• Macadamia nuts
• Household cleaners
• Unbaked bread dough/alcohol
Please keep these away from your pet. Have your veterinarian’s and poison control’s number handy (if you have Home Again microchip this service is free with your membership). Keep hydrogen peroxide available in your dog’s first aid kit. I hope you never have your day derailed like mine was and, if you do, that you will be prepared.

Hospital Administrator at Case Veterinary Hospital

When I married my husband many years ago, he was in the Coast Guard and, therefore, slotted to move every three to four years.    I begged him to only put down stations that were “south of the Mason/Dixon  line” as I hate the cold (and am also partial to all things Southern).  Well Savannah is the true South, but the last few weeks have been a little too cold for my taste.   I cannot get a good night sleep without my heated mattress pad and an anti-inflammatory and glucosamine tablet once a day.  My bones protest every morning and my arthritis in my knees tends to slow me down a bit.

Our older pets also suffer from the same symptoms.  It always surprises me when clients don’t recognize the same things in their dogs and cats that they themselves experience.  Does your older dog walk stiffly when he first gets up in the morning?  Does he not seem to want to run and play as much?  Does he circle his bed several times before finally easing himself down into it? 

These are all signs that your pet may be suffering from arthritis.  Like us, there are products out there that can help.  NSAIDS, or non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, are very beneficial in keeping the symptoms of arthritis at a minimum.  They can be expensive, but for the price of a soda a day, your pet can be so much more comfortable.  Glucosamine supplements or diets with glucosamine in them also help control the damage and pain that bone rubbing on bone causes.   Be careful and ask your veterinarian what diet he recommends as they are not created equal.  Often times, glucosamine is listed in the ingredients but not in adequate amounts to properly help. 

A nice, comfortable bed raised up off the ground is beneficial.  Padding helps to keep pets  more comfortable and they will appreciate the extra touch.  Don’t forget about weight management as well.  Getting that extra weight off your pet will do wonders for their joints.

There is nothing more gratifying than having a client who had just assumed there was nothing they could do about a pet “just showing his age” come in to tell us that they have their old dog (the younger versionJ) back.  There is nothing better than having your pet greet you at the door and be jumping around excitingly versus looking up at you from their bed and not wanting to make the effort to get up because they are hurting.

Submitted by Lisa A. Yackel, CVPM, PHR

Hospital Administrator at Case Veterinary Hospital

No matter what career you choose, continued training is a must to be able to stay abreast of new technology and changes.  This is especially true in the veterinary field.  Medical advances are constant and, at times, can be overwhelming to keep up with. 

As an administrator, I work with Dr. Case-McCorvey, our Medical Director, to help our healthcare team and veterinarians keep up with new procedures and new medications.  Like most things, it is a balancing act as I try to ensure we have plenty of appointments available for our patients and still have time set aside for continuing education.  Every once in awhile, we have opportunities that come up that we just can’t turn down.  Recently, that was the case here at the hospital.  Our doctors and healthcare team at Case Veterinary Hospital had the opportunity to learn from the best!   Dr. Clarence Rawlings, DVM, PhD, DACVS, came to the hospital as part of our continued commitment to advancing veterinary medicine in Savannah.  We have been performing  laparoscopic techniques for the  past four years  but having Dr. Rawlings , who has literally “written the book” on  the art of rigid endoscopy , was a thrill and a wonderful learning experience.  Laparoscopy, otoscopy, rhinoscopy, and cystoscopy procedures were performed under the direction of one of the best in the world in this field. With over 35 years of experience teaching surgery to a wide range of students (specialists, practitioners, interns, residents, veterinary students, and technicians), Dr. Rawlings has developed several new endoscopic and surgical procedures, and directs the Veterinary Endoscopy Training Symposia at the University of Georgia.  A significant part of this training was the conversion of performing ovariectomies instead of ovariohysterectomies.  Always striving to be minimally invasive and less traumatic to the pet, this advanced method of doing “spays” is transforming. 

A second benefit to scheduling this training was the opportunity to help Bryan County Animal Control by spaying several of the pets that they had up for adoption.  Bryan County Animal Control does not have a formalized spay/neuter program and they have limited financing to give medical attention to the strays that they try to adopt out.  Assisting them while helping to further our doctors training was a great plus and I am proud that we are able to bring this advanced surgical training to our area.

Hospital Administrator

Last week I shared in my blog my delight at having a fresh slate to recommit to past resolutions and add new ones for 2012.  I am passionate about my own pets and have dedicated my career to being an animal advocate.  There is no better time for me to use this venue to share what I would like to see on every pet owner’s resolution list.  I know it is somewhat presumptuous of me but I would love to hear back throughout the year on how you think you are doing.  Share with your veterinarian your list and make them your accountability partner.  I am always more successful when I have someone helping me keep on track. 

So here is the List:

1. Commit to the recommendation by your veterinarian of a food for your pet.  If he/she recommends a weight management program, commit to sticking with it.  If your veterinarian hasn’t made a recommendation, ask for one.  Studies show that 90% of pet owners want a nutritional recommendation but only 15% of pet owners feel they receive one. We have two nutrition technicians on our healthcare team that will partner with you to help with your pet’s weight reduction. 
2. Commit to finding an activity that you and your pet can do together.  It may be playing Frisbee, doing obedience exercises, swimming, or hiking.  Time spent with your pet is healthy for both of you.
3. Commit to seeing your veterinarian with each pet at least twice a year for preventative care visits.  Hopefully, each of you is seeing your own doctor once a year for a routine checkup.  Since pets age faster than we do, seeing a veterinarian twice yearly equates to the same thing as our human healthcare visits. 
4. Commit to ensuring that your pet is getting consistent flea control and heartworm prevention.  If last year you found this to be something you were forgetful about,  talk to your veterinarian about Proheart (for dogs only)  This injectable form of heartworm prevention lasts for six months and will keep your pet protected without relying so much on your memory.
5. Commit to brushing your pet’s teeth daily.  Ok, I know this one is the hardest!  If you can’t brush, use water additives, dental chews, or diets that help with tartar control.
6. Commit to being consistent with enforcing good manners.  A well behaved pet is so much more enjoyable for everyone.
7. Commit to taking some pictures throughout the year.  When I lost my dog last year to kidney disease, I was saddened to find that I had fewer pictures as she got older.  We all tend to take lots when they are puppies and kittens but then find we take fewer and fewer as the years go by (kind of like that for our human children too!)   

I wish all of you and your pets a prosperous and healthy New Year!

Hospital Administrator at Case Veterinary Hospital

As I was doing all of my Christmas shopping last month, a thought occurred to me.  When I decided I was in the market for a purchase, I had a number of resources to rely on.  I could do internet research, use my smart phone for applications that gave reviews, talk to friends, or ask the sales person at the store.  I found that knowing what I wanted was paramount to the decision.  When purchasing a camera for example, I needed to define what I was going to use it for and what features did I value the most.  I also needed to rely heavily on the reputation of the manufacturer to ensure I was going to get a product that would be reliable and consistent.  The light bulb that went off for me was that selecting a veterinarian to perform a surgery was not that different than doing the research for any other “purchase”.

There is one major difference that cannot be forgotten!  I can get a guarantee on the camera that will enable me to switch out the product if it does not meet my satisfaction.  I cannot get back the health or life of my pet if I don’t choose to select the “features” that will safeguard him during a medical procedure.  We as consumers are all looking for a “good” deal these days when we are spending money on a product.  However, the old saying that you “get what you pay for” if definitely true when it comes to medicine and surgery. 

The best medicine (or even just good medicine) comes with a price.  It is not cheap to have quality medical professionals, a clean facility,  reliable and up to date equipment, and drugs that are safe and will keep a pet pain free.  It is not cheap to run the appropriate lab work to ensure your pet is healthy enough to undergo a medical procedure.  In fact, it has always struck me as odd that clients are even given the option of whether they want pre-surgical labwork or pain medication for their pet.  It is not an option when I go to the dentist to have a cavity filled without some sort of pain blocker.  I cannot fathom why it is offered at other facilities as an option versus a necessary part of the surgery.  

At Case Veterinary Hospital, we take our role of being the pet’s advocate seriously.  We will not perform a non- emergency or elective surgery unless we know the patient is in good health.  We do a complete physical exam on all of our patients;  we run lab work appropriate to the age of the pet;  we use monitoring equipment throughout the surgery;  we assign a technician to monitor anesthesia  and recovery;  we keep the pet in our hospital  until they are fully recovered (sometimes overnight);   and we give pain medication both before and after surgery.  This may make us more expensive than the discounted, subsidized facilities, but it does give our clients and our team peace of mind that the pet has been given every opportunity to have an uneventful , comfortable, and successful surgery. 

I had my new puppy neutered recently and was amazed at his recovery and how pain free he was.  I hope this is the only surgery he will have to undergo in his lifetime and I was comforted before surgery to know that his lab work indicated that he was as healthy on the inside as he appeared to be on the outside.    If you haven’t seen your veterinarian’s surgical suites, don’t be afraid to ask for a tour.  I think you will be impressed at the precautions most hospitals take when they are performing surgery with your precious family member.   Medicine doesn’t come with the typical warranty like a product does but there are ways to minimize risk and protect your “ investment”.

Submitted by Lisa A. Yackel, CVPM, PHR

If you have had a child recently or bought a gift for a newborn, you know the immense selection of toys can be overwhelming.  There is a huge area just for toys that will stimulate learning and make your baby smart.  Genius baby© has signature black and white toys that are supposedly so much better than the standard mobile that kept our babies amused just a few years ago.

That trend has moved into the animal industry and there is a whole new category of enrichment toys for dogs and cats.  Those of us who are infatuated with our four-legged family members are well aware of how we are constantly amazed at their intelligence and problem solving skills.  After all, who would have thought that little eleven pound dog could figure out how to get the cookies that were left out on the counter?  We also tend to worry about keeping our pets from getting bored when we aren’t available to play with them.  Stimulating their minds helps with that boredom which will then help with the side effects of boredom-destructive behavior.  Animal behaviorists say that giving working puzzles is a positive alternative to chewing a brand new throw pillow or digging a large hole in the yard.  Those of us that are parents know that keeping a child active and busy will prevent them from getting into trouble; the same holds true for our furry children. 

AtCaseVeterinaryHospital, our favorite toy has long been the Kong©.  This company has taken this durable toy and advanced it with a Kong Genius line that releases treats and has to be manipulated by a dog’s nose or paw.  By adding treats and peanut butter to these thermoplastic rubber toys, the pets spend hours figuring out how to release the treats and that challenge adds to our pets’ brain health.

Pet “puzzles” also allow hours of activity for both dogs and cats.  The toys require the dog or cat to move parts around to reveal hidden treats.  These interactive toys are in huge demand and there are several companies that provide these challenges.  Your pet can advance up in levels as he/she improves their game.  These progressively harder games give the pet variety and teach repetitive behavior.  Cats especially love these toys and they are a great way to use the cat’s energy in a positive manner.

At our hospital, our healthcare team has found that by giving the pet these toys with their regular diet enclosed, we can make the pet “work” for his food.  The added benefit being a way of reducing calories by slowing the pet down with his eating habits and using calories while being more physically active.

With Christmas around the corner, this might be a good time to get out of your routine of buying your pet a stuffed squeaky toy or rawhide for under the tree.  Check out some of these new products and see how they work.  Then go out and buy yourself a present-a bumper sticker that says, “My dog is smarter than your dog!”

Santa Claus is coming to town! Parents and relatives eagerly search for the perfect gifts, and dog trainers anxiously anticipate the influx of Christmas Puppy business that will be coming in the New Year.

I’m not a scrooge and as a dog trainer I understand why people gift puppies at Christmas. Puppies are cute!  However, giving someone a puppy also gives them tremendous responsibility for another living soul. While puppies are cute, they can also be a major pain in the rear end.  They pee-pee and poo-poo everywhere, nip tender hands and feet with tiny needle teeth, and they chew anything and everything they can get their mouths on.  Puppies are a lot of work and regrettably they don’t look like puppies for very long.  Raising and training a puppy requires effort, patience and dedication.

If you are absolutely determined to give someone a puppy for Christmas, consider first whether this action is in the best interest of both the puppy and the new puppy owner.  Realistically consider the appropriateness of the long-term consequences for both dog and dog owner. On many occasions I’ve seen well-meaning family members gift a puppy to grandma or granddad thinking it would provide companionship and good cheer. While some seniors are perfectly capable of handling the level of activity of a young pup and the hard work this care entails, there are far more who would no sooner be burdened with a puppy than they would a human baby. If you are certain your beloved grandparent would actually enjoy having a canine best friend, consider a mature dog instead. Most senior citizens do better with smaller dogs, and due to the current economy, shelters are over-burdened with perfectly suitable dogs whose only crime was that their owners could no longer afford to care for them. Gifting grandma with a carefully chosen six to eight-year-old Dachshund or Bichon mix, for example, would save a life while providing a calm, loving, and appreciative companion.

If gifting a pup to your children, know going in that you are the one that will be burdened with the responsibility of daily care. Yes, it’s wonderful to contemplate little Johnny learning responsibility by cleaning up after the dog every day and little Cathy taking him for walks. However, you will be the one getting up in the middle of the night cleaning up the pup’s accidents. Children will be children, and again, you will be the mommy or daddy to a very young pup who needs constant care and attention. If you’re up for the task, terrific! If not, think about adopting a mature dog. Dogs are adolescents from approximately five or six months of age until around a year-and-a-half to two years, depending on the breed. You might not be able to subvert the dreaded adolescent phase of acquiring selective hearing and pushing boundaries with your offspring, but you can totally avoid it with a dog by adopting one who is already two or more years old.

Choosing the right puppy or adult dog for another person can be a daunting proposition. When choosing a dog for someone else; the breed, temperament, activity level, and sociability with other animals must all play into the decision making process. Beyond all of that, “chemistry” between the human and the dog must exist. Rather than bestowing the actual dog on Christmas day, here’s a suggestion that still allows for the “wow” factor: Buy grandma and granddad the cutest stuffed dog you can find and tie a big red bow around its neck with an appropriate Christmas card that explains how the stuffed dog is a surrogate for the real one. Upon reading the card, the recipient can learn where the real dog will be coming from. For example, your Cocker Spaniel puppy will be arriving from a carefully selected breeder and will be arriving in approximately two weeks. An even better idea is to plan a date for the family to go to the local shelter or humane society to pick out a dog together. By presenting your gift in this way you are providing an “out” for the potential recipient who may have no interest in taking on the numerous responsibilities that come with caring for a dog.  For example, what if your retired parents have plans to travel more and you are unaware of those intentions?  Gifting a dog without warning could complicate those plans greatly and potentially create an uncomfortable scenario of guilt on the part of your parents for either having to politely decline the gift or for having to leave their sweet little dog alone.  What about the poor dog?  They are social creatures and need stable companionship.  Do you want to be responsible for placing that type of stress and anxiety on a helpless animal?  Of course you don’t!   

A final consideration: Even though your thoughtful gift might not come with “some assembly required,” it does come with work required. Consider gifting a bit of help from a professional trainer. The Association of Pet Dog Trainers is a responsible place to start your search. Your gift card could include the trainer’s assistance in choosing a dog, and/or a private session or two in the recipient’s home. Getting the dog off on the right paw will help to ensure that your “gift” will be cherished for many years to come. Happy Holidays!

 There is nothing more disheartening to veterinarians or their healthcare team than to know that a patient will have a good prognosis if the recommended treatment plan is authorized but the client has to decline due to financial constraints. We understand this, but we hate that reality in veterinary medicine. Let’s face it, quality veterinary care is expensive. At Case Veterinary Hospital, we have an exceptional technician team, responsive and caring receptionists, a clean facility, the most advanced monitoring equipment and surgical equipment, and veterinarians who go over and beyond to care for their patients. We try to keep overhead expenses down so we can charge fees that are reasonable, but the bottom line is that it is costly to be able to afford such outstanding care. Imagine our excitement when we were exposed at our monthly staff meeting (continuing education is another item we feel must be present to keep our staff informed and yet, adds to the expense of doing business) to a product/service that will help our clients pay for unexpected health care for their pets and allow them to say yes to our treatment plans. The speaker was a representative from Trupanion, one of the many pet insurance companies that are available today. Dr. Case McCorvey had first heard about this company at one of her continuing education weekends and, at a similar conference for managers, I had heard glowing reviews as well. We have always had information available to our clients about pet insurance and we have tried to limit the brochures to companies with good reputations who have been in the pet business for awhile. But choosing which insurance company to go with is an overwhelming task for many of our clients and it can be confusing to pick the right plan for their pet. We have tried to be “Switzerland” in the process and offer clients www.petinsurancereview.com. Most veterinarians understand the value of pet insurance, yet they are reluctant to recommend a particular insurer to their clients. They feel they don’t know enough about the various companies and plans to make an informed recommendation and many are also fearful that, should a client become disappointed by their coverage, they will blame the veterinarian. PetInsuranceReview is an objective resource that veterinarians use to help clients find the policy that is right for them. It provides information on each pet insurance company, explains the coverage details and costs, and offers the largest database of reviews and ratings. Pet insurance is all about risk management. It is about peace of mind. Pet insurance companies are for-profit entities, and clients won’t know how much coverage they’ll use when they sign up for pet insurance. What they need to have assurance of, is that if they do their homework and pay their premiums , they will be able to pay for necessary veterinary care if something catastrophic happens to their pet. Just as we have all been conditioned to pay for auto and homeowner’s insurance, even though we rarely make a claim on it. So, back to the excitement about Trupanion. Their policies: • Do not have a wellness portion to their policy (their presumption is that most clients can predict and budget for routine, preventative care) • They keep it simple and do not have a lot of the exclusions and hereditary condition exclusions many plans have. • They pay out 90% of your actual fee (not “customary” fees that may not be your area’s average fee). • You can adjust your rate by adjusting your deductible • Premiums don’t go up every year just because your pet gets older • Premiums don’t go up just because you made a claim And the best news yet, we can offer our clients the service free for thirty days after having a physical exam with one of our veterinarians. We love it when we can care for a patient without worrying about cutting costs by cutting corners on our Standards of Care. This gives our clients another option to be able to afford the best care for their pets. We love being able to offer solutions that will give our clients the peace of mind that they did everything possible for their pet when they were ill and we love being able to do everything within our power to give that owner more time with their pet by bringing them back to a healthy state.