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What Your Pet Wants You To Know
A series of informal discussions on animal health topics that are fun, educational and interesting. You won't even mind that you're learning something.
Join our own Dr. Adrienne Cardella for a new topic on the first Monday of each month at 7:00pm. Question and answer sessions follow each program. Location: Kingsbrook Animal Hospital, unless specified otherwise.
May 5th, 2008 at 7:00pm: Mixed Breeds, Mutts and Heinz 57's: DNA Testing for Fun & Health

Is your dog a 'Mixed Breed?" New DNA tests now make it possible to determine the breed lineage of mixed breed dogs. We will explore how the tests work, why the tests are valuable and which tests are best. Participants will receive a $20 credit when they test their dog.
June 2nd, 2008 at 7:00pm: Gums, Grapes and other Poisons! Who Knew?

We may not realize that many items we have around the house, even things we give as treats and rewards, may be toxic to our pets. Grapes, raisins, sugar free Gum and many human medications are commonly ingested. But what's the deal with Febreze? Is it toxic or not? In this session, we will explore what's toxic and what's not. How do these things affect your pet and what can be done to help!
July 7th, 2008 at 7:00pm: Fido's Got a Fever and Flu - Can he give it to me? Can he give it to you?

What can you catch from your pet? What can your pet catch from you? In today's world of antibiotic resistant bacteria (including MRSA) and worries of avian influenza, there is concern about what things other than love people and pets can give to each other. In this session, we will explore the most common parasites, fungi, viruses and bacteria that can be spread between people and their pets. We will discuss who is most susceptible and look at preventative measures you can take to protect you, your family and your pets.
August 4, 2008 at 7:00pm: If my pet does NOT have fleas, why is he so itchy?

If you have an Itchy dog and cat, you're not alone. It is one of the most common and frustrating problems we see in our patients. In this class we will explore the breed predispositions, causes such as foods, allergies and mites, as well as myths and successes surrounding treatment options.
September 8th*, 2008 at 7:00pm: Vaccines: Do they help or hurt? Are there safe alternatives?

*we will be closed September 1st in observance of Labor Day.

Vaccines have saved millions of lives, but can they be overused? Traditionally, pets received yearly boosters. However, in light of some recently discovered problems, more and more research is being done to determine if and when vaccines are beneficial. We'll define 'core' vaccines as well as 'non-core' vaccines and show you how veterinarians complete risks analysis to determine which vaccines are recommended for your individual pet. We will also discuss what types of vaccines may be safest for your pets and look at the reliability of vaccine titers as a method to avoid unnecessary vaccinations.
October 6th, 2008 at 7:00pm: Premium, Organic, Natural, Raw - what does it mean and is any of it better than Dog Chow?

There are so many choices in pet food today and with the recent pet food scare more and more of us are asking what is best (and safe!) to feed our pets. Unfortunately, pet food labels can be confusing to even the most knowledgeable veterinarians, and it is easy to be misled by colorful bags and kibbles. In this class we will cover the basics of reading a pet food label. We will clarify commonly used terms such as 'Natural', 'Organic', 'by-products', and 'meal'. At the end of the course, participants will be able to make an educated decision about what pet food is best for their pet.
November 3rd, 2008 at 7:00pm: It's 10:00pm and the Vet is closed! What do I do now?

Illness and injury do not always occur between 9 and 5. In our area we are lucky to be served by several very good emergency hospitals. But, how do you tell if your pet's problem needs to be seen by a veterinarian immediately, or can wait until you regular hospital re-opens? Participants in this class will learn guidelines to help them decide: Is it an emergency or not?
December 1st, 2008 at 7:00pm: Feline & Canine Conundrum's. Why does my Pet ___________?

Veterinarians are told of bizarre pet behaviors every day, but some questions are asked more than others. In this class, we attempt to provide the answer to some of the most common pet mysteries. Subjects include:

Cats who: suck on plastic or wool, howl at night, lick everything - including me, suck on their tails, catch but don't eat birds and mice, eat grass.....

Dogs who: cover their food or move it from the bowl to eat off of the floor, scoot, hump, eat feces (gross!!!), shake a leg when you scratch their back, bark when I hug my spouse, dribble urine when excited, paddle when sleeping, turn the grass brown where they pee.....

January 5th, 2009 at 7:00pm: My Achy-Breaky Joints

Is your dog stiff when getting up? Does your cat no longer jump on the counter or the bed? Does your pet sleep more? For many pets, joint pain is a daily challenge. Participants in this class will learn how to identify signs of joint pain in their pets at home. New diagnostic tools will be shown which identify individuals who are predisposed to joint problems BEFORE they occur, and we will discuss how that information can help us to successfully prevent our pets from developing problems down the road. In addition, the latest methods of treatment for arthritis will be covered.
February 2nd, 2009 at 7:00pm: The easy way to Perfect teeth for your dog and cat.

Dental disease is one of the, if not THE, most common problem seen in dogs and cats. Many of us have good intentions when it comes to brushing our pets' teeth, but most of us don't have time and our pets are not always willing participants. In this class we will discuss dental disease in a practical, user friendly design. We will cover the best methods of keeping your pets teeth in good shape, but with a leaning towards what is convenient and sensible.
March 2nd, 2009 at 7:00pm: Free for All: Ask whatever's on your mind.

This is the class for those of you who have things you always wanted to ask your veterinarian. Our panel of veterinarians will tell you their opinion (or opinions if they don't all agree!) so that you can decide what is best for you and your pet.
kingsbrook animal hospital veterinarian and technicians work on Katrina animals

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