10 REASONS TO ADOPT A SENIOR PET Senior pets have already had their wild days.  No terrible twos, turbulent teens, mid-life crises. Been there, done that. They don’t call them the golden years for nothing. Senior pets make great couch companions. Senior dogs and cats won’t judge you on those days you stay in your pajamas and watch Netflix all day. Senior pets make great listeners. Senior dogs and cats have mastered the art of listening or at least the art of making you think they are listening. What did you say again??? Senior pets sleep through the night and the day. No late night walks and they are totally OK entertaining themselves by kicking back on the couch while you're at work. Senior pets have been to the dog park, around the block, and to the top of the cat tree. Senior dogs and cats know that the best place to be is by your side. Senior pets CAN learn new tricks. But "ain’t nobody got time for that" (because naps). Senior pets have maturity and grace. They won’t hop on the counter or climb on the table during dinner, eat your underwear, chew on the couch, or knock over the garbage can – or at least not often. Senior pets are always in style. Grey whiskers are the new black and senior dogs and cats wear them oh-so-well. Senior pets don’t care how old you are. Let’s face it, you're not getting any younger either. Why not grow old together?! When you adopt a senior dog or cat, you are literally saving a life. Your perfect fit is out there waiting for you right now – don’t let a silly thing like age get in the way of finding each other!

Our Holiday Mission For this year's holiday mission we are continuing to support Operation Christmas Child . We're hard at work to reach our goal of providing Christmas joy to at least 100 children around the world, but we need your help! You Can Help In Two Ways: Help Fill A Box! Drop off your supplies to Lafayette Veterinary Care Center by Nov. 20 and we'll provide and pack your box(es) for you. For a list of ideas to supply CLICK HERE. *Be sure to read the details of what's NOT allowed.  Donate! It not only costs to fill boxes, but to ship them as well. A small $20 contribution can provide a box of goods and shipping to a child. However, donations of any amount will help!  Employee Of The Month Our October Employee of the Month was Jordan of our nursing team. He started with us this year and has achieved so much in his short time. He is a fantastic nurse and does such a wonderful job with making sure that our hospitalized patients are comfy, cozy, and loved on throughout the nights. Thank you for all you do, Jordan. Congratulations!!!

Don't forget your pet's  Flea and Heartworm Prevention! Shop For Pet Food Shop For Medication Refills

Did you know that limping, anxiety, reduced appetite and even diarrhea can be signs of back pain in dogs? Your dog can’t tell you when he’s hurting, so you need to be able to read the signs. What Is Intervertebral Disc Disease? Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) is a type of back pain in dogs. More specifically, it's a spinal condition that can hinder your dog’s mobility. IVDD develops when the cartilage between spinal discs begins to wear down. It’s a normal part of the aging process. When a dog has IVDD, it means a disc (or discs) has degenerated in the spine. The disc becomes displaced in the spine, putting pressure on the spinal cord and resulting in extreme pain, even paralysis in some cases. Obese dogs are especially prone to IVDD, but certain breeds are more likely to get it than others. The most commonly affected breeds include Dachshunds, Beagles, Corgis and other small dogs. Among larger breeds, it’s most common in German Shepherds, Labradors and Dobermans. Symptoms Of Back Pain In Dogs It can be hard to tell when a dog has back pain. Sometimes the signs are very subtle, so you have to pay attention to your pet’s body language. Look out for the following symptoms: Reduced appetite & activity Weakness or reduced mobility of the limbs Hunched back Incontinence Reluctance to move head and neck Increased anxiety Trembling or shaking Frequent collapsing Dragging one or more legs while walking When your vet diagnoses your dog, they may prescribe pain medication, recommend physical therapy, or may even suggest surgery. If your dog can’t walk around or move without pain, or if he has lost deep pain sensation, the connection from the brain to the body could be severely compromised. Unfortunately, in these extreme cases, surgery may be the only way to reconnect the two.

Why Does My Dog Lick The Air? Sometimes what appears as air licking may just be your dog licking their noise or taking in a particularly strong scent. It’s part of a normal response to strong smells called the flehmen response. However, when a dog continues to lick the air i t may be a sign that your dog needs your help. Persistent and excessive air licking in dogs can be caused by anxiety or stress nausea or tummy troubles dental problems seizures compulsive disorder. If you can’t think of anything that could be making your dog anxious or stressed, or if the air licking continues, make an appointment to get your dog checked by your veterinarian. Your vet can determine if there are any physical or medical issues causing this behavior. Why Does My Cat Headbutt Me? Cat "headbutts", also known as bunting, are a way for your cat to tell you they love you. When your cat engages in head bunting, or head rubbing, he is placing his scent there as a social and affectionate gesture. Bunting is reserved for people and other animals that your pet already has an established relationship with and sees as family. When your cat rubs his head against you, he is releasing pheromones and marking you as someone safe that he can trust. As gaining the trust of a feline can be challenging, this should be considered a compliment.

Urinary Obstruction in Your Cat Urinary obstruction (also know as urethral obstruction, or UO) is a very common, very serious emergency in cats, especially males. UO can come on quick and kill fast. Unfortunately, many cat owners aren't aware of this condition until it's too late. There are several things that you can do to prevent this condition. Proper litter box setup and care is very important as well as reducing your pet's stress. One of the easiest ways to prevent UO is to feed your cat wet food. Kibble has less moisture than canned food, increasing a cat’s risk of bladder inflammation, stones, constipation, and urinary tract obstruction. Also, dry foods are usually higher in carbohydrates and lower in protein, increasing a cat’s risk of obesity and diabetes. Your best bet is to feed BOTH types! Give your cat the majority of their calories in high protein, low carb, wet food—two meals daily, not just “the occasional treat.” Then, provide the rest of their daily calories with a measured amount of a high-quality dry food.

Lafayette Veterinary Care Center proudly offers pet training designed to teach you how to encourage good manners and discourage the bad behaviors while helping your dog develop healthy habits that will make visits to the vet, trims with our groomers, and everyday life as easy as a walk in the park. From puppy classes and board and train at our facility to in-home private training lessons, our certified trainer can point you in the right direction as to which option will work best for your family and beloved canine companion.

We're very excited to announce that we have recently upgraded our resort software allowing us to streamline our Pet Resort scheduling and better suit our guests' needs and requests. We wanted to let our clients know that when you receive a confirmation text, you should follow the link provided to complete. Here is an example of what a text confirmation will look like. Please, rest assured that it is a secure link!

L afayette Veterinary Care Center 337-984-7611 info@LafayetteVets.com www.LafayetteVets.com

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