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CE Opportunities for Veterinary Professionals - July and August

6/30/2022

Live In-Person and Virtual CE Opportunities
Tuesday, July 12th, 2022 (12:00-1:00 pm Central Time)
"Be a Rockstar: Fine Tuning the Nutritional Approach to Urolithiasis" 1 CE
Stephanie Warren, DVM, Scientific Services Veterinarian, Royal Canin
MVMA Lunch and Learn
Free to MVMA Members, $45 for non-member veterinarians, $20 for other non-member professionals

Thursday, July 14th, 2022 (12:00-1:00 pm Central Time)
"Trends Impacting the Veterinarian-Pet Owner Relationship Today" 1 CE
Kerry O'Hara, PhD
Pet Poison Helpline
Free

Tuesday, August 9th, 2022 (12:00-1:00 pm Central Time)
"Managing Your Money Buckets" 1 CE
Garret Colao, CFP, CSLP, Independent Financial Consultant, The Vitality Group powered by North Star Financial
MVMA Lunch and Learn
Free to MVMA Members, $45 for non-member veterinarians, $20 for other non-member professionals (Virtual)

Thursday, August 18th, 2022 (12:00-1:00 pm Central Time)
"The Importance of the Human-Animal Bond for the Veterinary Profession" 1 CE
Steven Feldman, President Human Animal Bond Research Institute
Pet Poison Helpline
Free (Virtual)
On-Demand Virtual CE Opportunities
"A Day for the Cats: Trends in the Diagnosis and Treatment of your Feline Patients" 7.5 RACE approved CE credits
Presented by the Animal Care Foundation
Registration
Veterinarian-$200.25* Technician and Other Staff-$110.25* Student-$50.25
*10% discount available for active Animal Care Foundation Member Clinics. Send us and email for the code.

"Gastroenterology for the Small Animal Private Practitioner and Technician" 5.5 RACE approved CE credits
Presented by the Animal Care Foundation
Registration
Veterinarian-$145.25* Technician and Other Staff-$80.25* Student-$35.25
*10% discount available for active Animal Care Foundation Member Clinics. Send us and email for the code.

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Getting Your Indoor Cat Outside

6/22/2022

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Have you been thinking about finding a way for your indoor kitty to experience the great outdoors? Maybe you have seen the videos of adventure cats that have become more prevalent, or you’ve seen a neighbor taking their feline family member for a walk. Or maybe you’re thinking more along the lines of a catio. Whatever your thoughts, there are some things that you should consider before taking fluffy outside for the first time!

Make sure to think about the personality of your cat before you make the decision to start bringing them outside. Not every cat should be an outdoor cat. Many kitties are too frightened to enjoy the new experience. And while some may come to love it in time, it is important not to force the experience or cause them undo stress.

Plan to either have them on a leash or in a confined place that will do double duty, keeping them from wandering while also keeping predators away. Never leave them unattended! If a predator or other cat comes into the space the possibility of injury or death is high if you are not there to intervene.

If you plan to leash train them, start inside with just the harness. Leave it on for short periods and allow them to get used to the extra weight. Most cats do not like harnesses, so expect some flopping. Once they are used to the harness you can plan your first excursion!

Plan on starting with trips that are less than 5 minutes. And prepare yourself for them asking to go back inside almost immediately. Try to avoid busy streets as the car noise will frighten them. A comfort item might also help ease the transition.

My cat, Lyric, absolutely adores baskets. When I first started bringing him outside on a leash, he always asked to go back inside immediately. I listened to his needs and did not force it. Then, one day he was sleeping in his favorite basket and I decided to carry him outside in that. I set him on my lap and he sat purring for several minutes before he started to show any agitation. When he showed me he was ready to go back in, I always listened to him right away. Now he asks to go outside regularly during the summer. Remember, the goal of outside time is for your kitty to enjoy it! Not for you to make them into the adventure kitty you saw in that cool TikTok. If they are showing agitation, let them go back to a safe place.

My other cat, Ari, took to leash time immediately and will spend significantly more time outside then Lyric before he asks to come back in. On the hot days of summer I have to end his adventures before he likes to keep him from overheating.

I bring my cats outside with me when I am gardening or visiting with friends. I do not take them for walks. I also only let them out in my backyard because the front of my house faces a busy street.

General Safety Considerations:
When you first make the decision to take your indoor cat outside, make sure to make a veterinary appointment. They can get you proper medicine to protect against fleas, mites, and ticks that may find their way onto your cat over the course of their adventures. They can also let you know if your area has any other parasites or diseases that may impact your cat.

Before going outside the first time, take some time to look at the plants around your space. Try and identify what they are so you can determine if they are poisonous plants. Lilies are especially deadly to cats. Do not let them hang out near these plants as a few mouthfuls can be deadly. Chemicals can also be dangerous for your cat. Make sure that the space that you are using has not been treated with gardening or lawn chemicals.

Many of the general considerations listed above are applicable to taking your cat out on a leash or using a catio. If you are thinking about creating a catio space check out our blog on the subject here.

Written by: Heather Mains

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6 Funny Pet Behaviors

6/8/2022

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Cats and dogs are amazing for countless reasons, but have you ever seen your pet do something strange and wonder why? Today we’re counting down some of our favorite funny pet behaviors and breaking down the meanings behind each action.

1. Kneading
At one point or another, you’ve probably seen your cat knead with their paws. Kneading is when a cat pushes their paws against soft objects, such as a blanket or lap, the action is often referred to as “making biscuits”. From the very beginning of kitten-hood to the end of their adulthood, cats knead because it’s instinctive. For kittens, kneading is a signal to their mothers for milk. For adult cats, kneading brings pleasure and can be used to mark territory. It’s important to always let your domesticated cat express and retain their instinctual behaviors. If the kneading behavior is damaging furniture, consider placing a folded blanket in their favorite kneading spot as protection.

2. Spinning in Circles
Have you ever seen a dog aimlessly spin in circles? The list of reasons why a dog spins in circles is extensive, but there are four common reasons. The first reason is right before a bathroom break. Dogs intuitively take time to “mark their territory” along with circling the environment to survey their surroundings before proceeding to squat down. Another occasion is before settling down for a nap. This pre-nap ritual acts as a signal to other dogs that this spot belongs to this dog. The last two reasons are controlled by emotions, if a dog is happy or if a dog is anxious. If you notice an increase in anxious spinning, consult your veterinarian.

3. The Zoomies
One second your cat is sitting peacefully and the next your cat is “zooming” and frantically running around the house! As the name suggests, this behavior is called the zoomies. Cats are known for getting these whimsical little bursts of energy, but why? The zoomies are more likely to occur in the middle of the night when your cat has had an excess of rest and needs to release their pent-up energy. Cats naturally get the zoomies from time to time, but if it’s a daily occurrence or waking you up in the middle of the night, it’s likely a sign of not enough exercise. The best way to avoid everyday zoomies to make sure your cat is getting enough exercise and playtime. Laser pointers, throwable cat toys, and cat dancers can help get your kitty the exercise and mental stimulation they need.

4. Winking
Have you ever thought maybe your dog was trying to communicate with you through their eyes? Winking is a distinctive gesture dogs use to express affection and happiness! Similarly to humans, dogs have facial expressions to connect with other dogs or their families. Dogs like to mimic human behaviors; it should not come as a surprise if you wink and your dog winks back at you. While a little wink from your pup is nothing short of adorable, too much blinking may be a sign of a medical issue. If you’re noticing chronic or prolonged blinking, be sure to see your vet to make sure there is not an infection or foreign body causing the action.

5. Sitting On Your Laptop
Since cats are naturally drawn to warmth, it’s not much of a surprise cats love to lounge on laptops. Laptop keyboards provide coziness along with some guaranteed attention from a pet parent. Despite how many cozy crevices you have in your home, cats like to be near you; or in other words, be the center of attention! If this behavior is preventing you from getting your work done, you can take 2 different approaches. First, you can provide them with a comfy bed to the side of your work station. Often this will prevent them from being directly on top of your work space but still nearby their greatest love (YOU!). If this does not work, avoid giving your cat attention and encourage them to move to a more appropriate nap location.

6. Barking At Reflection
As we all know, dogs tend to bark at a lot of things. But the most puzzling may be when your dog catches a glimpse of their reflection. Dogs are highly intelligent animals, however the sense they rely on the most is smell and not vision. When they catch an unexpected glimpse of themselves in the mirror they are surprised that another dog could sneak up on them! If you’re looking to lessen barking at reflections, simply allow your pup more time in front of the mirror or glass door. This will allow your dog to become more comfortable with their reflection.

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Written by: Gracie Butler

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Pets in Cars

6/1/2022

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One of the most avoidable pet-fatalities occurs when pets are left in cars. Whether you’re running into the grocery store or popping into the post office, it is never safe to leave an animal in a hot car unattended.

According to studies, hundreds of pets die from car-related heatstroke every year; studies also show the first 15-30 minutes are critical. Parked cars can become ovens fast. Even on a day a moderately warm day, a parked car can rise from 75˚F to 100˚F in just ten minutes. You may have heard of a “safe period”, the amount of time in which your pet can be left in a car. However, it is not prudent to follow a “safe period” since there are external factors that you can not control, such as the sun shifting. Since there are many factors as to why a car heats up, there’s not a safe amount of time to leave your pet.

Another thing to remember is your pet’s inability to sweat. You’ll need to keep in mind when you’re warm your animal is even warmer! Most dogs and cats are covered with a thick coat of fur making it difficult for them to dissipate their body heat. Warning signs that your pet is in distress include heavy panting, tongue hanging out, restlessness, anxiety, clawing at window, trembling, vomiting, disoriented, foaming at mouth, diarrhea, collapsing, and seizures.

What can you do if you see an animal trapped in a car that appears unsafe? The state of Minnesota prohibits leaving a dog or cat unattended in a standing or parked motor vehicle in a manner that endangers the dog's or cat's health or safety. For this reason, you can feel justified calling law enforcement. You could also wait nearby for a few minutes to see if the owner returns quickly.

All pets are at risk of developing heat stroke if left in a car, this can lead to severe illness or death. We urge you to recognize it is always your responsibility to keep your pet safe and spread awareness! Ultimately, the goal is to avoid the heartache of losing your pet’s life to a hot car.

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Written by: Gracie Butler

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CE Opportunities for Veterinary Professionals - July and August

Getting Your Indoor Cat Outside

6 Funny Pet Behaviors

Pets in Cars

Animal Care Foundation

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