Happy Summer!

Here's to a great summer. Lots to celebrate here at Beverly Animal Natural Health Center. Dr Ricketts is celebrating her five year anniversary here!

We are also celebrating the Beverly Citizen's Reader Choice Awards announced last week. The Beverly Animal Natural Health Center was voted the number one Animal Hospital in Beverly and Bronze in the North Shore category. Thanks to all our clients for this achievement!

Staying Fit and Healthy

I just attended a pain management symposium sponsored by Novartis Animal Health. The focus of the meeting was using a multimodal approach to help the patient. This definitely struck a cord with me as it reflects what we want to educate and to offer to our clients.

Osteoarthritis is probably our most common pain concern with our dogs and cats. There are certainly breeds that are more prone to osteoarthritis due to conformation, activity level, and weight. We try to emphasize physical fitness and weight management for all ages and activity levels. Just like the current recommendations for humans, our pets need to stay within a healthy weight and exercise regularly. Hanging out in the yard with an occasional run after a squirrel does not count! Exercise three times weekly is best. Simple activities such as going for a 30 minute walk can make such a huge difference for all involved.

This is something that is shows great results without a large financial investment. We just need good weather to cooperate! Give it a try...can't go wrong with exercise.

Thunderstorms, fireworks and other loud noises!

Summertime means lots of outdoor activities, open windows and some thunder rumbles after a hot day. There's also fireworks of the Fourth of July. Some pets have no worries when it comes to loud noises. Others are easily frightened.

The best approach for the dogs that are frightened by loud noises is to try to condition them to not get anxious. You want to work with your dog before you see any signs of fear. Food treats work with hungry dogs, and games that your dog loves may be even more powerful in helping the dog mentally tune out the noise. When a dog acts out an instinctive behavior that has been built through training and experience, the mind and body are strongly immunized against fear and pain.

The more you and your dog train together to make your interactions satisfying and strongly focused, the more powerful these interactions will be in conditioning your dog not to worry about the distant noises. Retrieving, tossing a toy for the dog to catch, or (with the right dog and handler) tug-of-war are the kinds of person-and-dog interactions that work as powerful antidotes to fear.

To help get through noise phobias, we recommend

• Talk to your dog in a happy confident voice. Don't pity or use a worried voice.
• Try Flower essence therapy such as Mimulus along with Rescue Remedy. This can be giving daily.
• Try Composure, a nutritional supplement for anxiety.
• Some dogs do require medical treatment. This is not a quick fix but may be necessary in extreme cases.
• Making sure the dog can find a safe place. Many dogs will like a dark, quiet enclosed area.