Meet Dr. Don Meyer

We are thrilled to introduce Dr. Don Meyer as part of the LVCC family. Dr. Meyer lives in Crowley where he owned a successful veterinary practice for many years. He joined with our team because he believes that "LVCC offers a unique model for veterinary care in the Acadiana area with high quality 24 hour care coupled with the compassion and gentleness one expects from veterinarians and staff."

Dr. Meyer is married to Barbara and has two grown children, Amanda and Jacob, and five spoiled pets. Outside of the office, his favorite activities center around socializing with family and friends. We look forward to you meeting Dr. Meyer and know that you'll love him as much as we do!
Debunking Pet Food Myths
Myth : Grains are bad for cats and dogs.
Fact : Animals can have allergies to grains just as they can to chicken or dairy, but grain allergies are not common. Both cats and dogs can metabolize carbohydrates, and "grain free" does not mean carbohydrate free. Dogs that have no known allergy to grains can easily metabolize these carbs and use them as a source of energy.

Myth : Foods labeled "premium" or "gourmet" are better for your pet.
Fact : Products with these labels are not required to contain any different or higher-quality ingredients, nor are they held to any higher nutritional standards than any other complete and balanced product.

Myth : Cat and dog foods are interchangeable.
Fact : Feeding your pet a food not intended for its species could be harmful because cats and dogs require different nutrients to thrive. Dogs are omnivores and can derive nutrients from grains, fruits and vegetables. Cats, on the other hand, are carnivores and require specific nutrients that are only present in animal sources.

Myth : Products with the ingredient "meat meal" should be avoided.
Fact : The word "meal" simply means that water has been extracted from the product. However, meat meal is not as nutritionally sound as chicken meal, lamb meal, or other "meal" products that list a specific type of protein.

If you ever have questions concerning your pet's diet, please ask us. We have certified nutritional counselors to help guide you in choosing the best foods for your pet.
Employee Of The Month
Our February Employee of the Month was Kareana of our resort team. She's so patient, kind, and gentle and is always stepping up to help when needed. Thank you for being you, Kareana!
Don't forget your pet's
flea & heartworm prevention!
5 Non-Vaccine Reasons Why
Cats Should Have Regular Check-ups
long_haired_orange_cat.jpg
Routine veterinary visits for your cat aren't just about vaccines. Yes, vaccines are extremely important in keeping your pet healthy, but there are also five little discussed, yet significant reasons why all cats will have a better life with regular veterinary wellness exams:

1: Socialization
From new people and places to new sounds and smells, these experiences can help your cat better adapt to new environments. Of course, this only works if your cat has positive, low-stress experiences. This is why we at LVCC introduce cat friendly elements such as a cat exclusive waiting area, use of calming pheromones, cat parking, etc. to help decrease their stress and anxiety.
 
2: Pain and Disease Reduction
Cats are masters of hiding pain and illness. Early detection of a problem often translates to better prognosis, more treatment options, lower costs, and improved quality of life for your cat.
 
3: Parasite Prevention
Even indoor-only cats should be on regular parasite preventatives as they, too, can become infested with parasites such as fleas, intestinal worms, ear mites, and heartworms. Not only are indoor cats susceptible to these parasites, but they can be the cause of a whole-home infestation when they're not on a preventative.
 
4: Help With and Prevent Behavioral Problems
Regular exams are the perfect time to discuss your cat's behavioral or personality changes with your veterinarian. Cat’s don’t tend to do things like pee and poop outside of their litter boxes or turn aggressive out of spite. It’s far more likely that they’re doing so because of pain, stress, or an underlying medical condition. Your vet can help you and your cat by figuring out the underlying cause and giving you the best treatment/ management options.
 
5: Emergency Prevention
Regular veterinary exams can help prevent stressful, painful, expensive and, in some cases, fatal emergencies from occurring. Many emergency situations can be avoided if the underlying conditions were previously detected at a veterinary check-up and given proper treatment/ management.
beagle_puppy_closeup.jpg
Why Your Dog Isn't Doing What You Ask

It can be extremely frustrating when your dog doesn’t respond when you need them to, not to mention scary if their lack of response puts them in harms way. Just keep in mind that your dog's non-response isn't because they are ignoring you or being stubborn. Dogs simply don’t think like that. The following reasons are likely why your dog isn't doing what you ask:

Your Dog Doesn’t Understand What You Want
When a dog doesn’t perform a certain behavior, many times it’s because they don’t actually understand what it is you’re asking of them. This happens when a dog hasn’t completely learned a cue, or when they’re being asked to perform within unfamiliar circumstances. So, to help your pet understand a command you must simplify. If they don't respond to a verbal cue, use a hand signal or show them what you want with a treat or some kind of prompt. At your next training session go back to the basics before practicing in a variety of settings.

Your Dog Isn’t Motivated Enough
Another reason why your dog isn't doing what you want is simply because something else is more rewarding than doing what you asked. If you're not offering your dog a reward for a behavior you want, they'll most likely choose to do something that is rewarding to them. This isn't to say that you'll always have to have edible treats on hand. Other things such as their favorite toy or your attention and interaction might be just as gratifying as food. It's all about building a strong reinforcement history for the behaviors you want from your dog.

Your Dog is Too Distracted by Other Things
We all get distracted by things going on around us and dogs are no different. Make sure your dog is giving you an indication of attention before asking for a behavior. 

The next time your dog doesn't do what you ask, ask yourself these 3 things:
  • Does my dog know what I'm asking them to do? Have they ever done it in this environment?
  • What does my dog want at this moment? How do I use that as a reward for the behavior I want?
  • Is my dog too close to a distraction? Can they see me? Can they hear me?

If you're looking for professional training services, our certified trainer offers convenient options to help strengthen communication and the bond with your pet. Call us at 337-984-7611 for more information.
This past month the Bear Den of Cub Scouts Pack 427 joined us to learn about veterinary medicine and pet care. We feel privileged to help educate the next generation of pet lovers!
L afayette Veterinary Care Center
337-984-7611
info@LafayetteVets.com