January ISSUE IS OUT NOW!
Show Off Your Pets — page 4 (pdf)Requires Adobe
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Finding the Right Veterinarian — page 6 (pdf)Requires Adobe
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Protecting Pets During Cold Weather — page 7 (pdf)Requires Adobe
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Happy New Year from Our Advertisers — page 8 (pdf)Requires Adobe
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Pet Theft on the Rise — page 12 (pdf)Requires Adobe
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What Type of Fish Do You Want? — page 16 (pdf)Requires Adobe
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Nix Those Nerves! — page 17 (pdf)Requires Adobe
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Regional Pet Expo — page 18 (pdf)Requires Adobe
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Calendar of Events — page 19 (pdf)Requires Adobe
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Doctor's Corner — page 20 (pdf)Requires Adobe
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Snoopy Crowned Canine King of Pop Culture — page 21 (pdf)Requires Adobe
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Ask Andy — page 22 (pdf)Requires Adobe
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Finding the Right Veterinarian
Finding a good veterinarian for you new pet is important.
By Carolyn Steeves
If you got a new pet for Christmas, you’ll have plenty of important decisions to make concerning your new family member, but one of the most important choices you’ll make is which veterinarian to use.
Whether you find a veterinarian through the yellow pages, word of mouth or the Internet, there are a few things to look for.
The Humane Society of the United States suggests that you check for membership with the American Animal Hospital Association. The AAHA is a voluntary organization that evaluates its members on roughly 900 standards in all areas from quality of care to facility. Membership in the organization means that the veterinarian clinic meets the AAHA standards.
A new pet owner should also look at the cleanliness of the doctor’s office, as well as how the staff treats you and your pet when you walk in and the cost of care, among other things.
You should also take into account if the vet thoroughly answers your questions, communicates well and is willing to listen to you. Having a sick pet can be frightening, especially for an owner who perhaps does not know much about pet care. Having a veterinarian explain everything and tell the owner what to do can give peace of mind to the owner and contribute to a better home life for the pet.
Budgets are tight for a lot of families right now, so be sure to look at costs and payment policies. Can you pay in installments for expensive procedures? Do they offer any discounts or financial aid?
Even after researching and visiting the veterinarian, sometimes the best indicator of a good fit is your instinct.
So, after you decide on a name and lavish your new pet with love and attention, do some research to find the right veterinarian to ensure that your new pet can be both happy and healthy. 
Protecting Pets During Cold Weather
Pets should never be left outdoors when the temperatures drop below freezing.
By Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Animal Care & Control
Pets that spend the majority of their time indoors don’t have tolerance for extremely cold weather. Therefore, they should never be left outdoors unattended when the temperature drops below freezing.
In order to endure colder temperatures, pets must build up a thicker coat and get their footpads toughened for snow and ice. If they are not conditioned for cold weather, they can get too chilled and develop hypothermia or even frostbite. Ear tips are especially susceptible to frostbite.
Cats
Most cats prefer to spend winter indoors, but if your cat likes being outside, you should be cautious about letting him go out. Don’t let him out in bitterly cold weather, and be sure he has a warm place to go if he spends a lot of time outdoors. Cats left outdoors face a particular hazard: They often crawl into warm car engines to get warm. When the engine is started up, the cat can be seriously injured or killed by the fan blade or belt. It is much safer to keep your cat indoors in winter.
Puppies
Puppies do not tolerate the cold temperatures as well as adult dogs, and may be difficult to housebreak during the winter. If your puppy appears to be sensitive to the weather, you may opt to paper train him inside. If your dog is sensitive to the cold due to age, illness or breed type, take him outdoors only to relieve himself.
Outerwear
Dogs with very short coats have the least tolerance for cold. Extremely short-coated breeds include Greyhounds, Dobermans, Boxers, Boston Terriers and Chihuahuas. Those breeds shouldn’t go outside without a sweater or a coat except for short times to use the bathroom. Small dogs with short coats (such as Chihuahuas, miniature Pinschers, and miniature Dachshunds) are especially vulnerable to cold. They may not tolerate any outdoor exercise in extremely cold weather.
Paw Care
Many dogs need boots in cold weather, regardless of their coat length. If your dog frequently lifts up his paws, whines or stops during his walks, his feet are uncomfortably cold. Be sure to get your dog used to wearing boots before cold weather sets in.
Another common foot problem, especially in dogs with long fur, is the formation of ice balls between the pads and toes of the feet. Once ice balls form, they are very painful, much like walking on rocks. When dogs have ice balls, they often whine, stop walking and start chewing at the bottoms of their feet to remove the painful culprits. To help prevent ice balls, trim hair around the dog’s feet. Apply a small amount of Vaseline, cooking oil, or PAM spray to its feet before taking him for a walk. Make sure you use oil that can be eaten because most dogs lick at their paws. If the pet walks on salted sidewalks or streets, be sure to wash his paws after his walk. Salt is very irritating to footpads. Many dogs will quickly start whining and biting at their feet after just a few steps on salted roads. Gently rub the bottom of the dog’s feet to remove the salt as soon as the dog is off the road. Many stores sell pet-friendly ice melt which is safe for animals.
Outdoor Pets
If your pet spends a lot of time outdoors, let him get acclimated gradually to dropping temperatures. Once a pet is acclimated to either warm or cold, a long dose of the other extreme is hard to take. Outdoor pets need a sheltered place that is well bedded with DRY straw, shavings, blanket strips or other insulating material that traps warm air. Also, remember that animals drag a lot of moisture into their bedding areas from snow, rain and mud. Check it often and change it whenever it is wet. The best situation for your dog during extreme cold temperatures is to stay inside.
Read the January Issue of Pet o' Mine on-line: (METRO) or (UNIFOUR)
