Dr. Jackie Celmer explains why it’s important to help your pet maintain a healthy weight and what to do if your pet needs to drop a few pounds.

Obesity amongst domestic dogs and cats in America is becoming more common than veterinarians would like. A recent study showed that in America about 60% of cats and 56% of dogs have been classified as obese by a veterinarian. So what makes my pet obese? A pet is classified as obese if it is deemed at least 10-20% heavier than their ideal weight. Obesity is not only a primary issue but can predispose our pets to many secondary issues like diabetes, thyroid disease, heart disease, joint pain which can worsen arthritis, and weakening a pets immune system making them more susceptible to secondary illnesses.

So what do we do if our pet is overweight? The first recommendation is to evaluate what we feed our furry friends at home. Step one is to actually measure what we are feeding our pets. Most of us use a “scoop” that is some unknown measurement and we provide a scoop or two into the dish. It is very important to quantify how much we are actually feeding with an appropriate measuring cup. Secondarily it is good to mention that most commercial dog and cats foods have feeding recommendations on the back of the bag which should be fed for the pets age and ideal body weight. Ideal body weight is our “goal weight”, so if our pet is 15 pounds and we want them to be 10 pounds we need to be feeding for a 10 pound animal and not a 15 pound animal. If you are having trouble knowing how much you should be feeding your pet feel free to reach out to one of us for a more precise diet plan.

Not only is dieting key but like in humans, diet needs to be paired with exercise. We should try to take our dogs for walks or exercise them in the yard daily. If the weather is bad try to play with them in the house for at least 15 minutes a day. Cats are a bit more challenging to get to exercise on demand. Getting a tall cat tree can entice our furry felines to jump and climb more which can aide in weight loss. Additionally wand toys and laser pointers can be used to get our cats moving. I usually recommend having them chase the laser dot for at least 10-15 minutes once to twice daily.

Only about 10% of pets diagnosed with obesity are successful at losing weight and over 40% of those who lost weight gained it back within a year. It is important to remember that weight loss takes time, do not get discouraged, it is a lot of work but your furry friend will thank you in the long run!

Second Chance has 4 Community Veterinary Hospitals to help you care for your pet – call to schedule an appointment today.

Second Chance hit a milestone recently, performing our 65,000th spay/neuter surgery.

The procedure was performed at our Worcester Community Veterinary Hospital. The recipient was an 11-month-old bubbly cavapoo named Jax who was brought in by a local animal control officer through the nonprofit’s Helping Hand Program. This program lends a helping hand to other animal welfare organizations, providing veterinary care at a significantly reduced cost.

Jax was accompanied by his new friend, a dog named Tyson who was recently found abandoned in a Salvation Army shed.  Tyson was seen for his own care and plans to return to Second Chance soon for his neuter.

Second Chance began our low-cost spay/neuter program in 2005 at the East Brookfield shelter to help stem pet homelessness in the surrounding community.  Today, hundreds of pets come to the nonprofit’s hospitals each month for spay/neuter surgery in state-of-the-art surgical suites made possible by grants and generous donors. Second Chance’s new educational hospital in Southbridge plans to begin low-cost spay/neuter later this year.

COO of Hospitals Amanda Normandin says she is extremely proud of this milestone and the work the spay/neuter teams have accomplished.  “We know just how important spay/neuter services are. Not only does the program help prevent pet homelessness, but it also improves the lives of pets receiving the surgery.  Many of the emergency surgeries we perform are on female pets suffering from pyometra, a potentially deadly infection of the uterus.  Routine spays and neuters can help protect pets from many life-threatening conditions including pyometra and testicular cancer.”

Second Chance surgeons are specially trained to perform the highest-quality high-volume surgeries.  Pets check in early morning and are discharged later the same day so they can recuperate in the comfort of their own homes with their owners.

Second Chance founder and CEO Sheryl Blancato is proud of the longstanding low-cost spay/neuter program and said, “Thanks to these surgeries, less pets are ending up in Massachusetts shelters, which means more pets in shelters are getting a second chance.”

Click here to learn more about our spay/neuter program and how you can have your pet spayed or neutered.

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Second Chance Medical Director Dr. Ashely Raymond on dental & oral health

It’s that time of the year to pay extra special attention to your pet’s mouth.

Dental and oral health are very important parts of your pet’s overall health. We recommend all pets, young and old, have a yearly oral exam, typically during their annual check-up. You might think just older animals suffer from dental disease, but your veterinarian can identify problems in their mouth while your pet is still developing their permanent teeth. Yes, dogs and cats lose their baby teeth too!

The single most important thing you can do as a pet owner is to brush your pet’s teeth daily. Make sure to use a toothpaste made specifically for dogs and cats. Human toothpastes often contain an artificial sweetener called xylitol, which is toxic and potentially fatal for pets.

Did you know that 70-80% of pets will develop periodontal disease by the time they are 3 years old? That is why it is so important to start brushing while your pet is still a puppy or a kitten. The goal is to get your pet used to handling their mouth while also preventing periodontal disease from developing.

There are many causes of dental disease, but periodontal disease is the most common condition seen in dogs and cats. It starts with infection when plaque builds up on the teeth, then travels above the gum line causing disease to the tissues that support the teeth and the surrounding bone. This can cause teeth to be loose, painful, and infected.

If you notice any of the following possible signs of dental disease, we recommend scheduling a physical exam for your pet:

• bad breath
• loose, broken, or discolored teeth
• redness, inflammation, or bleeding from the gums
• difficulty chewing or dropping food
• decreased appetite or weight loss
• pain in or around the mouth
• growths within or on the mouth

At your pet’s appointment, we can discuss preventative strategies, dental diets, recommended products, and identify problems during the exam. If your veterinarian has a concern, they may recommend dental surgery, often just referred to as a “dental.” During this procedure your pet will receive a complete oral health assessment and treatment under anesthesia, which includes full-mouth x-rays, scaling and polishing of the teeth, and may include extraction of teeth, if needed. Anesthesia-free dentistry is not recommended for any pet, for both their safety and to minimize your pet’s pain and discomfort.

We look forward to caring for your pets!

CEO Sheryl Blancato offers a glimpse inside Second Chance

Day after day, a similar scene plays out.  Our veterinarians and vet techs go about their day, seeing pets for checkups and sick visits, or performing scheduled surgeries while reception staff greet pets and pet owners and schedule future appointments.  They may have plans after work, even if it’s just to put their feet up and relax.  When a phone call comes in of a very sick pet, all those plans change.

It was already midafternoon recently when Second Chance received a call about a dog that couldn’t pee due to a blockage of stones.  An emergency facility had temporarily unblocked him, but this was just a temporary fix.  Without immediate surgery the dog would suffer in pain, unable to pee, and die.  Emergency hospitals are stretched to the limit, just like the owner’s budget.  Second Chance was this dog’s only chance.

Suddenly those afterwork plans changed.   Schedules were quickly shifted. A vet and two surgery techs agreed to extend their already long day to perform the surgery after their regular day ended.

The dog arrived late afternoon and was prepped for surgery. The surgery began and it didn’t take long to see that the dog was a lot sicker than originally thought.  There weren’t just a few stones…there were hundreds of tiny stones.  The expected one- to two-hour surgery continued for nearly five hours.  Exhausted, the team plugged along.  The vet carefully removed the stones while the surgery techs monitored the dog’s vital signs.

The hospital director had left for the day just as the surgery began, expecting the staff to be there just a couple of hours.  When the surgery continued into the night, she left her family to provide support.  She picked up snacks and Chinese food on the way back to the hospital.  It was now after 9 PM and the surgery had to continue, there was no stopping.  They had to be sure that no stone was left behind, risking another blockage.

The surgery finally ended a little after 10 PM.  Now it was time to monitor the dog’s recovery.  The staff could finally sit down and have something to eat.  The dog recovered well, the family was ecstatic, and the weary team headed home just before midnight.

This is not an isolated story.  It happens more often than you think.  This dog is alive today and with his family because three staff members gave up their time and their plans to save a life.  I am in awe of the work our staff does at our hospitals and adoption center every day, going above and beyond when necessary to help a pet in need if possible.

Last month, we adjusted the surgery schedule at our largest vet hospital in North Brookfield in response to the current emergency veterinary care crisis that’s affecting pets in Massachusetts and across the country.  We reduced spay and neuter surgery capacity to allow our doctors to provide critical care and surgeries, saving an average of 25 pets every week.  While spay and neuter services are temporarily limited at this location, our Springfield and Worcester hospitals are running at full capacity.

Second Chance answers the questions we hear the most about pets and grooming.

Why should my pet be groomed?

• Grooming is an important aspect of healthcare for many dogs and cats, especially long-haired breeds. Pets can become at risk for skin and ear infections, urinary tract infections, pain, trouble defecating, or even develop restricted blood supply if mats become too tightly wound around limbs. 

• Grooming is not just important for long haired pets, however. Short-haired animals can benefit from grooming as well, but may need it less often. Groomers may be able to help identify if your pet has a problem such as a flea or tick infestation or if your pet is not grooming itself as well as it should be, which could indicate an underlying health problem.

When should I start grooming my puppy professionally?

• Most professional grooming salons will begin grooming puppies and kittens at 16 weeks of age with the recommendation that they are fully vaccinated to help keep them safe when in the salon with other animals.
• Getting your pet started early can help them get used to the grooming process, which makes it much easier on them and their groomer.

How often should I be getting my pet groomed?

• Depending on breed, your pet may need to be groomed every 6-8 weeks. You may request the same groomer every time so that you and your pet will begin to build a relationship with your groomer who should come to understand all your pet’s quirks and preferences. It makes the experience safer and more enjoyable for everyone.
• We also recommend visiting the salon between trims/baths to help your pup get used to all the sights and sounds. 

How can I get my puppy used to being groomed?

• Touch your pet frequently to get them used to what will happen during an actual grooming service. This can help desensitize them, making the process much easier and safer.
• Top areas to handle are feet/nails, ears and face. You may try the following to help your pet get used to grooming:
  • Rub/hold their feet often (use caution with cats). 
  • Practice holding their face still and touch around their mouth if tolerated.
  • Run the bottom of an electric toothbrush around their feet & face to help them get used to the feeling & sounds of clippers & nail grinders

Is there anything I should do between salon visits?

• Brush! No matter if you have a long-haired or short-haired pet, they all need brushing. Long-haired pets tend to mat very easily, especially as puppies and kittens when their fur is super fine and soft. Matting can be very painful for your pet, so frequent brushing can help reduce the chance of fur becoming matted. Don’t forget mat-prone areas behind the ears, on their backside, or around the armpits.
• It’s recommended you brush your short-haired pup weekly to help keep dead hair from clogging their pores and to keep their natural oils spread evenly throughout their coat to promote shine and healthy fur.