Southport Magazine

Dr. Travis is a graduate of North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine. She established River Road Animal Hospital in January 2007. She lives in Southport with her husband Mike, a rescued cat Guinness, an Eclectus parrot Kiwi and “Der Bad Boyz” – Bruiser and Cletus, both rescued Great Danes.

With burning questions on our minds about how to care for our furry loved ones, we asked Dr. Alyssa Travis at River Road Animal Hospital and the vets at Southport Animal Hospital to chime in. Here’s what they had to say!

1. What is the number one mistake new pet owners make?

Dr. Travis: I think the answer here is very broad: They don’t understand what is involved in caring for the pet the have chosen. This might be a financial misunderstanding (not knowing how much it costs to feed and provide for the health and welfare of the pet); or a basic needs problem: guinea pigs need supplemental vitamin C, female rabbits need to be spayed, reptiles have very specific temperature and humidity requirements, pet birds shouldn’t eat what you feed wild birds, etc.; or a breed/lifestyle issue: shepherds of all sorts need LOTS of training and a lot to do; hounds might tear up your house; small dogs need a lot of dental care; Labs can have allergy issues; the cat you want to make an indoor cat may want to go out…  Getting a pet can sometimes be a spontaneous decision, especially in the case of exotic pets; or it may be you’ve always wanted a particular breed of dog for how they look, but you haven’t considered what type of living conditions they need.  A little research tempered with a bit of patience can make having any pet a rewarding and wonderful experience, rather than something to be regretted.  Ask friends, read about the pet you want, and never be afraid to call a vet and ask questions about a particular species or breed!

Vets at SAH: Changing foods frequently is a big no-no. It is important to keep pets on a consistent diet of the same pet food to avoid stomach upset and diarrhea. This is true not only for puppies and kittens, but through a pet’s entire life. If you must introduce a new pet food, do it gradually. By mixing the previous food with the new food slowly over a period of weeks, you should then be able to safely switch entirely to the new food.

2. How much exercise should my dog or cat be getting?

Dr. Travis: This is a little like asking, how much exercise should I be getting? The answer is: ENOUGH. Enough that they’re not fat, enough that they have good muscle tone, enough so that they’re not bored and destructive at home, enough to keep them happy and healthy. Cats can be particularly challenging, but don’t forget that cats who get fat can get diabetes.  Play with a cat with a laser pointer, feather toys, or some of the great electronic interactive toys.  For your dog – find something to do together and you’re a lot more likely to stick with it – walk on the beach, go running, rollerblading, biking; take agility or tracking classes, or play 20 minutes of tag while you run through your house when you get home – you’ll all feel better!

Vets at SAH: Puppies and kittens obviously have a higher energy level and need more activity to establish healthy routines. Overweight pets need a combination of more activity and a reduction in the amount of food they receive. Most pet foods are labelled with recommended feeding amounts based on the pet’s current or recommended weight range. Older pets and pets with joint and muscle issues should be monitored carefully during exercise so they do not over extend and risk injury.

3. At what temperatures (and other factors) is it no longer safe to take our dogs for a run with us?

Dr. Travis: Temperature is definitely a factor, but you also have to look at: humidity, coat color and thickness, body condition of the dog, and if he’s used to running/in good shape. There’s no one right answer: a fat, out of shape, black dog who’s from Michigan and is visiting here in July probably shouldn’t even take a walk unless the sun is down. A lean, muscular Jack Russell who lives here and runs 5 miles every day with day with his owner has a lot more leeway. If it feels hot and humid stop and give serious consideration to whether your pet should be outside. If you’re not sure, err on the side of caution and regardless, always have a plan for what you will do if he gets too hot (where is there shade and water, call for someone to pick you up, etc) And if you think your pet is overheated, get to a vet ASAP.

Vets at SAH: Humidity, heat, and cold can all be factors that affect animals as well as people. Keep runs to cooler temperatures with pets. At the very least, wait until dark, keep distances to a minimum, and take along drinking water for dogs to avoid overheating and dehydration dangers. Be aware of their breathing patterns and any stress indicators. Pets will try to please, it is up to the responsible pet owner to be aware of their pets condition so please watch them carefully and monitor their breathing patterns. If you do take them with you on runs, regardless of the time of year, start with short distances and proceed accordingly based on the pet.

4. What are some poisonous plants or foods which are common in households that we may not know about?

Dr. Travis: I recommend that pets not eat any plants unless they are meant for them (like cat grass for your cat). Many plants aren’t toxic per say but have very irritating qualities that can cause vomiting and diarrhea. And many plants have several names and it can be very confusing. A really big one, though, is lilies. Keep lilies and cats away from one another. Even the pollen from certain lilies can cause acute kidney failure and death in a cat. As for foods, avoid: onions and garlic (can cause hemolytic anemia), grapes and raisins (can cause kidney failure), the artificial sweetener Xylitol (causes vomiting and hypoglycemia in dogs and unknown issues in cats), chocolate in all pets, macadamia nuts, yeast dough, moldy folds, avocados.

Vets at SAH: A list of poison hazards to pets can be found via this helpful ASPCA link – www.aspca.org/apcc.

5. What’s the deal with brushing our pets teeth? Is it really necessary and how often should we do this, and how can we make it easy?

Dr. Travis: Yes, you should really brush your pet’s teeth. A dentist once told me: imagine if you as a person ate only “hard food” but never brushed? Yuck! Pet’s get buildup on their teeth the same way we would if we didn’t brush. Buildup makes the teeth “sticky,” which leads to more buildup, eventually leading to bacterial accumulation, tarter, gingivitis (gum infection and inflammation). How often? Ideally, daily. Can every pet owner brush their pet’s teeth? Probably not. But if you can, you will save yourself a lot of money as your pet ages and decrease their risks of infection, pain, and anesthetic procedures (required when teeth are cleaned by a vet). How to make it easy? Well, training. Go at it slowly. Use only pet toothpastes (human toothpastes contain fluoride and since pets don’t “spit” the fluoride can be toxic). Pick a flavor they like and use it as a treat for a while. Once they like it, rub a little in their mouth with your finger. You can slowly progress to a toothbrush, finger brush, or even a gauze pad. It’s the mechanical cleaning that makes brushing most effective. I have seen a 13-year-old dog with NO tartar at all because the owner brushed daily. It became routine and the dog wouldn’t go to bed unless its teeth were brushed. If you need help – ask your vet!

Vets at SAH: If you can establish some sort of tooth brushing routine with your pet, even a few times a week, it discourages some of the build-up of tartar and plaque around the gum line. It will not prevent it completely. Just encourage your pet to chew the brush a bit while you hold it at first and gradually introduce more actual brushing. DO NOT give your pets toothbrushes as chew toys. Maintain supervison and keep a grip on the toothbrush while you learn if this is something you can successfully do with your pet. If it works for both of you – SUPER! Cleanings and polishings can always be done at your veterinarian’s office.

6. Do you find pet insurance to be a worthy investment?

Dr. Travis: Absolutely. Pet insurance, if you can afford it, can be the difference between getting care for your pet when they’re sick and making a decision you don’t want to make due to financial concerns. You can save on insurance by getting a policy that covers only illness and injury – since in theory an owner should budget for “routine” care like exams, vaccines, and preventative for heartworms, fleas and ticks. I have insurance on my personal pets, even as a veterinarian. Sure, I can do most things. But the things I cannot do that require a specialist tend to be very expensive, and I never want to have to say no to a surgery or a procedure for money reasons. If you’re considering pet insurance, do your homework. Many companies have limits and caps and can be very confusing – as bad as any human health insurance. The more basic the better. Mine has a monthly premium, a deductible I set, and then pays 90% less the cost for the exam. One of our client’s dogs got insurance and then the dog tore his knee within 3 months of getting the policy. The cost for surgery for his unusual injury was over $2000. The client paid under $300, and got to choose any surgeon he wanted.

Vets at SAH: This is an individual choice to be made by the pet owner. The important thing to remember is that the pet must be insured while it is young and in optimal health. Pet insurance companies have “pre-existing condition” exceptions just like human insurance companies. They will not cover medical expenses that arise after-the-fact, such as when an accident or serious illness occurs.