September 2016 Tips and Tricks

image00September is a great time of year! The holidays are a few short months away, the weather is changing and everyone feels the “New” school year beginning! Here at American Grooming Academy we love September because it’s “Back to school” and there’s nothing we love more than our students, unless of course you bring up our pets! Animals are the whole reason all of us at AGA are a part of this academy! So here is AGA’s tips and tricks for the month of September!

HHAAAAAACCCCCHHHHHHHUUUUUUU Fall Allergies!

image01Many of our human friends suffer from fall allergies. Resulting in not so good school days, but did you know that many pets suffer from fall allergies as well? Many of our pets have some of the same symptoms that affect us because the same allergy is affecting them! Signs like itchy, puffy , watery eyes, and sneezing are extremely common this time of year. Some dogs chews or constantly lick their feet because they itch. Some severe allergies can even cause hair loss due to red itchy bumps on your pet’s coat!

Dealing with these allergies can be easy if you know what’s going on! Many times we treat pets with a broad spectrum of allergy antihistamines, but sometimes more investigation needs to be done. For example some pets are allergic to one specific thing, for example walnuts. Walnut trees start to lose their fruit in September, filling your yard with walnuts and their husks. This may be a specific allergy in your pet. Some pets are allergic to the mold caused by the dead and dying leaves that fall each Autumn. Besides going to your veterinarian there are some helpful things your can do to help alleviate some fall allergy problems!

-Try to keep your windows and doors closed, this help keep that pesky mold and pollen outside where it belongs

-Use an over the counter saline eye wash to help removed discharge from your pets eyes

-Vacuum your home regularly and wash your pet’s bedding and toys each week

-Maintain a low allergen diet to rule out food allergies

If your pet is suffering from fall allergies go see your veterinarian! Don’t forget the box of tissues for your furry friend!

Vitamins for your Pet?

image02Many of us take vitamins for our body health. Some things we do not get like iron if we are vegetarians, or Vitamin D if we live in an area that has a long dark winter. Our pets, like us require several different minerals and vitamins to maintain their internal health. NEVER give a pet a human vitamin, but here are some ideas if your are considering supplements.

  • Most high quality food provide the right vitamins for your pet, so if you supply a high quality food your pets vitamin needs are taken care of
  • In some cases older pets require certain supplement, like Glucosamine for joint problems from arthritis
  • Pets on homemade food due to allergies or lifestyle almost always need a multivitamin so check with your vet
  • Many vitamins can support a particularly active dog with more nutrients without giving access food and calories

Here is a list of the most important vitamins for your pet and where the vitamins come from naturally!

  • Vitamin A- Carrots, spinach,liver, pumpkin,sweet potatoes, fish oil, eggs
  • Vitamin D-Marine fish, fatty fish, egg yolks,dairy products,liver, beef
  • Vitamin E-Plant oils,leafy greens, seeds, whole grains
  • Vitamin K- Liver, leafy greens, milk
  • Vitamin B-Whole grains, nutritional yeast, beans, nuts

Understanding your pet’s nutritional needs depending on health and lifestyle are important so talk to your vet about when your baby needs!

Pet insurance. Are you prepared?

image03Anyone who has been to an emergency veterinarian has had an awful experience. That feeling of what is going to happen is the worst when it comes to our furry family members. Thankfully sometimes our pets come out of the ER ok, but our bank accounts do not. American Emergency Veterinarian bills are some of the highest in the world, and when most of the ER vets look and act like human emergency rooms you start to understand why. Also that trip to the ER may bring up other things, like Oncologist, Orthopedic Surgeons or Internal Medicine Specialist. So the question is should your have pet medical insurance for these what ifs, and how does it work?

Like all insurance, pet insurance is like ours. We pay the premiums hoping we’ll never need to use the coverage. In the case that we do use it  the premium is a lot better than a $5,000 bill.Pet insurance is a relatively new industry in the U.S. Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI) offered the first policy in 1982. That being said not all things are covered by every policy. For example most of the time preexisting illnesses are not covered, so your 4 year old Dachshund may not be covered for his arthritis if he has been to the vet for a sore elbow. Most of the time coverage does not include cancer since it is so prevalent in dogs, and things that are breed specific like Cerebellar Abiotrophy in American Staffordshire Terriers will not be covered. On a brighter note most of the reps that work for pet insurance companies are just like us and they love their pets, so calling and having your questions answered is easy. There are many different companies and all with different  specifics. Educate yourselves, especially if you could not afford emergency care. The alternative could be deadly for your pet and emotionally devastating to you!

Here is the list of the top 10 rated pet insurance companies to get your started!

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