Are you in Las Vegas? If you are a horse owner, this post is for you. It keeps coming up, year after year, that horses are being kept in corrals with no shade. I ask you to think about this a moment. No shade. In Las Vegas, we reach the 100+ mark every day for at least 3 months a year. We don't see frequent clouds or rain. Imagine yourself in your horse's shoes (no pun intended there.)
A horse is a warm blooded mammal, with a normal body temp of about 101.5F. They are hotter blooded than we are, plus they wear fur year round. Place yourself in your horse's corral, with no shade, no way to move to shade, and no relief in sight. There's a bucket of lukewarm water with bugs, hay, and dirt floating in it. Now, you are there, at high noon, the sun beating on you, and being a gentle creature most of the time you can do nothing but bear it.
Do not break the law. In Clark County, Title XXX specifies the minimum area of 120 square feet of which 90 square feet must be covered to provide shade. For more information on what they will do to you, see the Nevada Revised Statutes: 574 and the jail time you could serve. This means you must have at least a 10 x 12 corral with a 10 x 9 shade at a bare minimum. I personally think these are small, small minimums, and are barely within humane keepings for a horse. I keep my horses in a 24 x 24 with a 12 x 24 shade that runs north to south, angled down on the west side. For the most part, the horses have shade from 9 am to 7 pm in the summer, and about 10 am to 4 pm in the winter.
I OFTEN hear that horses are outdoor critters and don't need shade. Not true. Pure Bunk. That's the cheap, lazy person's excuse. The wild horses in Nevada, as seen on our beautiful quarter, can move to higher ground where it is cooler if there is no shade. Otherwise, you will often see them standing in the shade of a pinyon or cypress, even a Joshua tree, to get some relief from the hot Mojave sun.
You should know that I, as an animal advocate and veterinary technician, will report the address of any place I see that doesn't provide these minimum conditions for horses on the property. If YOU want to report a violation go to the Clark County website and make an on-site complaint.
www.accessclarkcounty.com is all you need to know. Horses are not stupid, just unable to speak our language. I'm sure a few would like to smack their owners upside the head now and then. Nevertheless, when we put an animal in a pen and make it dependant on us, we OWE it proper shelter, wholesome fodder, and clean water. A bit of snuggle now and then doesn't hurt.
If you need help caring for your horses, goats, sheep, cows or poultry, or would like to schedule some consultation time, don't hesitate to contact me at www.allpetscs.com (All Pets Concierge Service, LLC). I can transport your horse or your hamster, feed your goat or your guinea pig, and we are always happy to make new friends!
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Pet Obesity
Uh, oh, there is the word no one wants to hear - FAT. Veterinarians make their living off fat pets, or at least their retirement. From bunnies to horses, we are a nation of overfeeders. Extra fat affects the digestive, urinary, reproductive systems. It affects endocrine systems (primarily hormones), and also the skeleton and muscles, skin and cardiovascular systems. Did I mention the organs - liver, kidney, pancreas, among others (OK, all of them).
Over feeding is the primary cause of overweight pets. It is not the only cause, but is the number one, preventable, most common nutritional disease in dogs and cats. In this post I don't want to discuss leptin or thyroids or diabetes I, breeds, and so on. We will just discuss the primary factor that you are in control of: food and exercise.
What is true for people is true for other animals (yup, we're animals too). Too many calories and not enough activity to use them causes storage of them, usually as fat. Almost all diets of people and pets are to high in startch (you thought I was going to say fat). Starch is sugar, plain and simple. A potato becomes no different than table sugar molecules in the body, as does rice, breads, grains, and fruit. Wild cats don't eat corn or soy; frankly, wild dogs don't either. We will talk more about this later.
Protein is the key to good health. Fat is also important to the health of dogs and cats - not so much rabbits and horses! Restricting our conversation to dogs and cats, it's important that they receive adequate animal protein (not vegetable or garin). The requirement for dogs is around 25-30%, for cats 30-35%. Calories should be made up mostly of protein, then fat, with startch as the last source.
Find a high quality food, and feed less of it. Instead of giving your pets treats or feeding them when they ask for attention, play instead. Not only does this keep food as being a way to interact with you, it will burn calories at the same time and reduce the appetite. Keep a laser toy or balls near the feed stations. When pets beg, pick up the toy and have at it. Giving your pets extra calories is not doing them any favor.
Nurtition is a huge subject with volumes of literature available. More will be coming, but for now, keep your pets lean and active. It is good for both of you. If you have trouble making this a regular routine, or would like more information on your pets' dietary needs, please feel free to contact me at All Pets Concierge Service, a limited liability company in Las Vegas, Nevada. As a licensed veterinary technician (Animal RN), and certified by Hills Science Diet as a small animal nutritionist, I am sure we can find some solutions for feeding and exercising your pets to optimize their health and longevity.
Over feeding is the primary cause of overweight pets. It is not the only cause, but is the number one, preventable, most common nutritional disease in dogs and cats. In this post I don't want to discuss leptin or thyroids or diabetes I, breeds, and so on. We will just discuss the primary factor that you are in control of: food and exercise.
What is true for people is true for other animals (yup, we're animals too). Too many calories and not enough activity to use them causes storage of them, usually as fat. Almost all diets of people and pets are to high in startch (you thought I was going to say fat). Starch is sugar, plain and simple. A potato becomes no different than table sugar molecules in the body, as does rice, breads, grains, and fruit. Wild cats don't eat corn or soy; frankly, wild dogs don't either. We will talk more about this later.
Protein is the key to good health. Fat is also important to the health of dogs and cats - not so much rabbits and horses! Restricting our conversation to dogs and cats, it's important that they receive adequate animal protein (not vegetable or garin). The requirement for dogs is around 25-30%, for cats 30-35%. Calories should be made up mostly of protein, then fat, with startch as the last source.
Find a high quality food, and feed less of it. Instead of giving your pets treats or feeding them when they ask for attention, play instead. Not only does this keep food as being a way to interact with you, it will burn calories at the same time and reduce the appetite. Keep a laser toy or balls near the feed stations. When pets beg, pick up the toy and have at it. Giving your pets extra calories is not doing them any favor.
Nurtition is a huge subject with volumes of literature available. More will be coming, but for now, keep your pets lean and active. It is good for both of you. If you have trouble making this a regular routine, or would like more information on your pets' dietary needs, please feel free to contact me at All Pets Concierge Service, a limited liability company in Las Vegas, Nevada. As a licensed veterinary technician (Animal RN), and certified by Hills Science Diet as a small animal nutritionist, I am sure we can find some solutions for feeding and exercising your pets to optimize their health and longevity.
Monday, January 21, 2013
Dental hygiene is an important facet of pet health. More than 70% of dogs over age 3 and cats over age 4 have issues with plaque, calculus, tartar, gingivitis, and, worst of all for those of us who keep our pets close, halitosis that could knock over an elephant. Advances in veterinary medicine have discovered many things that are important for pet caretakers to be aware of.
Veterinarians and groomers have been the traditional dental hygienists of the pet world, but there is not reason owners can't assist in preventing or reducing disease in their pets' mouths. Dental sticks are easy, but not entirely effective. Water additives are hard to maintain at the proper percentage to be optimally effective. Brushing, well, we all know how hard that can be, despite meat flavored toothpaste even on a cooperative dog.
Veterinarians often hear the woes of finance when it comes to a serious cleaning and scaling of their pet's teeth. As I just mentioned, dogs and cats don't hold still the way a human will (more or less) during a tooth scaling. The pet must undergo anesthesia so the doctor or technician can radio graph the mouth, then remove the build up from the tooth and the gum line with sonic or hand scaling instruments, rinse with lots of water and antiseptic, polish the enamel surfaces, rinse again, and then undergo any extractions. Pets don't hold still, they don't rinse and spit, and don't appreciate their teeth being removed any more than we do.
The more an owner can do to reduce the need for this procedure, the better for everyone! Older pets will often dictate that they need pre-anesthetic blood work, another cost that is sometimes more expensive than the cleaning itself. Antibiotics, if necessary, can be difficult to administer at home, and once a tooth is gone, the remaining teeth are more likely to see the build up of tartar even faster because the missing teeth no longer articulate with remaining teeth to help clear the plaque from the surfaces when biting.
Gum disease can cause organ failure. The bacteria in your pets' mouths makes it way through the bloodstream and can eventually cause heart, kidney, and liver disease. Caught early, those red and inflamed gums can be brought back to normal, but if left untreated, the damage can be irreversible.
Be sure your dogs and cats are seen regularly by a veterinarian, and in between veterinary visits, you can do your part to reduce the frequency and severity of the anesthesia dental prophy. You have probably heard of the "anesthesia free" dental cleaning. This is a lot like comparing the cleaning you get at your dentist's office to what you do at home twice a day with your toothbrush. It is not a substitute, but an additional way to keep your pet's breath fresher, the teeth cleaner. Many groomers offer this service; we at All Pets Concierge Service also offer this service.
A three step process with follow up products sent home will help ensure that your dogs and cats are getting in-between care from their veterinarian. We used a product that is completely natural and could be used on your own children or yourself. There is very little taste, no chemical sedation involved (although cats may get body wrapped or "clipped") and the entire process takes less than 20 minutes.
For more information about dental hygiene and our at-home dental care service, see us at All Pets Concierge Service, in Las Vegas, Nevada. If you would like to purchase our zinc -based spray and gel products, contact us by clicking here! We don't just pet-sit, we inform, educate, and want the best care for your pets! Thanks for reading, and happy tails!
Veterinarians and groomers have been the traditional dental hygienists of the pet world, but there is not reason owners can't assist in preventing or reducing disease in their pets' mouths. Dental sticks are easy, but not entirely effective. Water additives are hard to maintain at the proper percentage to be optimally effective. Brushing, well, we all know how hard that can be, despite meat flavored toothpaste even on a cooperative dog.
Veterinarians often hear the woes of finance when it comes to a serious cleaning and scaling of their pet's teeth. As I just mentioned, dogs and cats don't hold still the way a human will (more or less) during a tooth scaling. The pet must undergo anesthesia so the doctor or technician can radio graph the mouth, then remove the build up from the tooth and the gum line with sonic or hand scaling instruments, rinse with lots of water and antiseptic, polish the enamel surfaces, rinse again, and then undergo any extractions. Pets don't hold still, they don't rinse and spit, and don't appreciate their teeth being removed any more than we do.
The more an owner can do to reduce the need for this procedure, the better for everyone! Older pets will often dictate that they need pre-anesthetic blood work, another cost that is sometimes more expensive than the cleaning itself. Antibiotics, if necessary, can be difficult to administer at home, and once a tooth is gone, the remaining teeth are more likely to see the build up of tartar even faster because the missing teeth no longer articulate with remaining teeth to help clear the plaque from the surfaces when biting.
Gum disease can cause organ failure. The bacteria in your pets' mouths makes it way through the bloodstream and can eventually cause heart, kidney, and liver disease. Caught early, those red and inflamed gums can be brought back to normal, but if left untreated, the damage can be irreversible.
Be sure your dogs and cats are seen regularly by a veterinarian, and in between veterinary visits, you can do your part to reduce the frequency and severity of the anesthesia dental prophy. You have probably heard of the "anesthesia free" dental cleaning. This is a lot like comparing the cleaning you get at your dentist's office to what you do at home twice a day with your toothbrush. It is not a substitute, but an additional way to keep your pet's breath fresher, the teeth cleaner. Many groomers offer this service; we at All Pets Concierge Service also offer this service.
A three step process with follow up products sent home will help ensure that your dogs and cats are getting in-between care from their veterinarian. We used a product that is completely natural and could be used on your own children or yourself. There is very little taste, no chemical sedation involved (although cats may get body wrapped or "clipped") and the entire process takes less than 20 minutes.
- Pre-treat the teeth with our zinc-formula spray
- Wait 20 minutes
- Irrigate the mouth with water to remove debris
- Treat with our zinc-formula gel
- Follow up daily or every 2-3 days with the gel at home
- Repeat in 2 weeks for more advanced cases, or every 12 weeks
For more information about dental hygiene and our at-home dental care service, see us at All Pets Concierge Service, in Las Vegas, Nevada. If you would like to purchase our zinc -based spray and gel products, contact us by clicking here! We don't just pet-sit, we inform, educate, and want the best care for your pets! Thanks for reading, and happy tails!
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Horses Come to Las Vegas
If you build it, they will come. And it was built, and you can enjoy it ! Coming in from Los Angeles, the South Point hotel and casino has become a great spot for horse events - shows, competitions, even Grand Prix, the South Point has a stable on the ground floor near its huge indoor (and outdoor) livestock arenas.
Noteably, if you aren't coming to a show, you can get to Las Vegas with your horse, stable them in the same place as yourself, and go for a ride the next morning out at Red Rock Canyon, Nevada's first National Conservation Area. from the South Point, take 15 north to the 215. Go north (west) around the south bend and find yourself coming up on Hwy 159, the road to some of the most beautiful Rock Stars (pun intended) in Nevada. The trail head is just beyond the entrance to the park where the Scenic Loop exits.
If you need help with your horses while you're here, visit our website for information on what All Pets can help you with to ensure a memorable, enjoyable vacation with your horse. For more information about the South Point, just click!
All Pets Concierge Service, taking care of Las Vegas animals since 2004.
Noteably, if you aren't coming to a show, you can get to Las Vegas with your horse, stable them in the same place as yourself, and go for a ride the next morning out at Red Rock Canyon, Nevada's first National Conservation Area. from the South Point, take 15 north to the 215. Go north (west) around the south bend and find yourself coming up on Hwy 159, the road to some of the most beautiful Rock Stars (pun intended) in Nevada. The trail head is just beyond the entrance to the park where the Scenic Loop exits.
If you need help with your horses while you're here, visit our website for information on what All Pets can help you with to ensure a memorable, enjoyable vacation with your horse. For more information about the South Point, just click!
All Pets Concierge Service, taking care of Las Vegas animals since 2004.
Pets Vacationing in Las Vegas
Las Vegas is a busy place. Not only are there over 1.5 million residents, the city sometimes sees as many as 300,000 people at a time on The Strip. Many hotels allow pets and here is an area where All Pets Concierge can help. Pets are usually allowed in rooms, but not while the housekeeper is there. If you can't watch your pet for that hour, give us a call. It's important that your dogs get out of the room for fresh air, a potty break, and maybe a treat; cats may want some company, to have their litter box changed, or a little play time.
People have called in the past asking for a pet-nanny for their hotel room as the animal may need attention such as an insulin shot, a diaper changed, assistance to eat or drink or use a sandbox. While a body is at the spa or casino, there's no reason your pet can't enjoy the vacation also!
Walking is another good diversion for pets. Getting your pets outdoors in Las Vegas can be a challenge. When the temperature rises over 100F, as it will for perhaps every day in summertime, it's better that your pets are kept inside the air conditioned hotels. But for the rest of the year, a walk up or down the Strip is a chance to see, hear, and most of all, SMELL one of the most diverse and exciting cities in the world. Did you know that the climate here almost eliminates the chance of your pet picking up fleas.
Stay tuned for more information on the health and well being of your pet as we launch our blog. I'm Holly Rivney, a licensed veterinary technician, and offer personal pet care to not only local animals, but visiting animals also. Want to see which Las Vegas Strip hotels allow pets? Visit our website for a list!
All Pets Concierge Service
People have called in the past asking for a pet-nanny for their hotel room as the animal may need attention such as an insulin shot, a diaper changed, assistance to eat or drink or use a sandbox. While a body is at the spa or casino, there's no reason your pet can't enjoy the vacation also!
Walking is another good diversion for pets. Getting your pets outdoors in Las Vegas can be a challenge. When the temperature rises over 100F, as it will for perhaps every day in summertime, it's better that your pets are kept inside the air conditioned hotels. But for the rest of the year, a walk up or down the Strip is a chance to see, hear, and most of all, SMELL one of the most diverse and exciting cities in the world. Did you know that the climate here almost eliminates the chance of your pet picking up fleas.
Stay tuned for more information on the health and well being of your pet as we launch our blog. I'm Holly Rivney, a licensed veterinary technician, and offer personal pet care to not only local animals, but visiting animals also. Want to see which Las Vegas Strip hotels allow pets? Visit our website for a list!
All Pets Concierge Service
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