Patio season is almost here in Fort Collins, and you’re likely to find that a lot of people are kicking back, dining and drinking with friends (four-legged pals included!). Dog-owners are lucky to live here because Fort Collins has many dog-friendly patios around town. Here are some that we recommend and some common patio rules for you and your furry companion to follow!

Fort Collins Dog-Friendly Patios

• Jessup Farm Barrel House | 1921 Jessup Drive
• New Belgium Brewing | 500 Linden Street
• Rainbow Restaurant | 212 W Laurel Street
• Odell Brewing Company | 800 E Lincoln Ave
• Oregano’s Pizza Bistro | 4235 S College Ave
• Funkwerks Brewery & Taproom | 1900 E Lincon Ave Unit B
• The Exchange | 234 N College Ave Unit D
• Prost Brewing | 321 Old Firehouse Alley
• Cafe Bluebird | 524 W. Laurel Street
• Horse & Dragon Brewing Company | 124 Racquette Drive

Dog-Friendly Patios with Exceptions

The following restaurants have patios in which your dog must be on the outside of the patio railing. This may make it a little more difficult to dine with your dog, however, they are still great options.

• Coopersmith’s Pub & Brewing | 5 Old Town Square
• Blind Pig Pub | 214 Linden Street
• Mayor of Old Town | 632 S Mason Street

Patio Rules and Common Courtesy

• Be sure to leave your dog on a leash. This will keep them, and others, safe.
• Bring a water bowl along. While a lot of places have them available, some may not. Keep your pet properly hydrated on your outing.
• Make sure your dog socializes with other dogs well. There is a good chance that there will be many other furry friends enjoying time on the patio.
• Make sure your dog doesn’t bark a lot. People don’t want to hear endless barking when they are trying to relax or enjoy a meal.

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A broken heart: risk of heart disease in boutique or grain-free diets and exotic ingredients

By Lisa M. Freeman, DVM, Ph.D., DACVN, veterinary nutritionist and professor at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University Posted: JUNE 04, 2018 – Read the entire blog

Earlier this year, Peanut, a 4-year-old male Beagle/Lab mix was diagnosed with life-threatening heart disease at our hospital.  Peanut had been lethargic, not eating well, and occasionally coughing.  The veterinary cardiologist seeing him asked what he was eating and found that his owner, in a desire to do the best thing for Peanut, was feeding a boutique, grain-free diet containing kangaroo and chickpeas.  Peanut required several medications to treat his heart failure but the owner also changed his diet….

WHAT IS DILATED CARDIOMYOPATHY?

Dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM, is a serious disease of the heart muscle which causes the heart to beat more weakly and to enlarge. DCM can result in abnormal heart rhythms, congestive heart failure (a build-up of fluid in the lungs or abdomen), or sudden death.

In dogs, it typically occurs in large- and giant-breeds, such as Doberman pinschers, Boxers, Irish Wolfhounds, and Great Danes, where it has been thought be caused by two categories: genetics or a primary deficiency of an amino acid called Taurine.

Recently, some veterinary cardiologists have been reporting increased rates of DCM in dogs – in both the typical breeds and in breeds not usually associated with DCM, such as Miniature Schnauzers or French Bulldogs.

There is the suspicion that the disease is associated with eating boutique or grain-free diets, with some of the dogs improving when their diets are changed. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Veterinary Medicine and veterinary cardiologists are currently investigating this issue. This has led to the addition of a third category of DCM: diet-related with normal taurine levels.

WHAT DO WE KNOW?

“BEG” diets have been implicated: Boutique, Exotic Ingredient, Grain-Free.

The number of cases of DCM reported to the FDA has skyrocketed since 2018:

COMPANIES NAMED MOST FREQUENTLY IN DCM CASES REPORTED TO THE FDA

For a brand to be included on this list there needed to be at least 10 cases reported. This list is ranked most reported to least reported.

COMPANIES THAT HAVE NO REPORTS OF DCM

To date, the following major pet food companies have not received any reports of nutritional related DCM. Pet owners should vigilant in choosing any pet food and follow the guidelines listed above.

This list is in no particular order: Science Diet/Hills, Royal Canin, Eukanuba, Iams, and Purina.

WHY IS THIS HAPPENING?

The mechanism for why these diets are causing DCM is unclear. What is clear is that there is a strong relationship between eating these diets and developing DCM. It is also important to note that there have been grain-containing diets also implicated in this correlation, which means simply adding grains back into the diet is not likely to decrease the potential of developing DCM.

Proposed potential mechanisms for causing DCM:

• Inadequate nutritional expertise and quality control in smaller, boutique, companies
• Legumes have the potential to bind methionine and cystine (which alters taurine synthesis/metabolism)
• Unknown interactions between exotic ingredients in the diet: Kangaroo, lentils, duck, pea, fava bean, buffalo, tapioca, venison, salmon, lamb, barley and chickpeas have been implicated
• Toxicity of ingredients (cardiotoxic)

DON’T BE A VICTIM OF ADVERTISING

Do not fall victim to commercials that portray exotic ingredients as more natural or healthier than typical ingredients; there is no truth to this or evidence to their claims.  This is just good marketing that preys on our desire to do the best for our pets.

Is Grain-free better?

Many pet owners have, unfortunately, also bought into the grain-free myth.  The fact is that food allergies are very uncommon, so there’s no benefit of feeding pet foods containing exotic ingredients.  And while grains have been accused of causing nearly every disease known to dogs, grains do not contribute to any health problems and are used in pet food as a nutritious source of protein, vitamins, and minerals.

EXOTIC INGREDIENTS

Exotic ingredients include kangaroo, lentils, duck, pea, fava bean, buffalo, tapioca, venison, salmon, lamb, barley and chickpeas, among others.

Not only are the more exotic ingredients unnecessary, but they also require the manufacturer to have more expertise to remain nutritious and healthy after processing. Exotic ingredients have different nutritional profiles and different digestibility than typical ingredients, and also have the potential to affect the metabolism of other nutrients.  For example, the bioavailability and metabolism of taurine is different in a lamb-based diet compared to a chicken-based diet or can be affected by the amount and types of fiber in the diet.

WHAT SHOULD PET OWNERS DO?

Be Aware of Catchphrases:

• Holistic – There is no legal definition for this term under laws devoted to pet foods.
• Human grade – There is no legal definition for this term. It is a catchphrase that is false and misleading.
• Natural – This is a regulated term. The food must contain natural ingredients without chemical alterations.
• Organic – This is a regulated term. Must follow USDA rules and have the USDA seal on the bag.

Ask Questions:

According to the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA), three important questions to answer when choosing pet food are:

• Do they employ a full-time qualified nutritionist? Appropriate qualifications are either a Ph.D. in animal nutrition or board certification by the American College of Veterinary Nutrition (ACVN)
• Is the diet tested using AAFCO feeding trails? Feeding trails are expensive and time-consuming. A lot of smaller pet food companies typically forego expensive feeding trails.
• Where is the food produced and manufactured? Does the company own their manufacturing plant or do they rent time from other manufacturing plants? Choose a brand that owns its own manufacturing equipment. This allows for higher environmental quality controls and no cross-contamination.

Pay Close Attention to Labels:

• AAFCO & Nutritional Adequacy Statement – The most important thing you can do when choosing a dog food is to look for the AAFCO Statement.
  The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) is a voluntary membership association of local, state and federal agencies charged by law to regulate the sale and distribution of animal feeds and animal drug remedies. Your dog food should have passed AAFCO feeding guidelines and should be labeled for a specific stage of life.
  Look for the words “complete” or “balanced.” It’s important to look for whether the food meets AAFCO guidelines through a feeding trial. Foods that meet these requirements through formulation only are not as high quality as those that are tested through a feeding trial. Keep in mind that the AAFCO only guarantees that an animal can live on the food; it’s still important to pay attention to ingredients
• Beware of “All Life Stages” – Foods labeled “All Life Stages” are required to meet the nutritional needs for the most demanding time of life and are thus essentially made for puppies. Be careful of these foods since they can be nutritionally imbalanced for certain life stages.
• Look for flavor ingredients – Additions such as “beef flavoring” can help dogs look more favorably upon some foods, giving them a meatier, richer taste. However, pet foods with ample amounts of high-quality protein usually make additional flavorings unnecessary. Be sure proteins are in the first few ingredients and that a flavoring is not being used to cover up a grain-heavy formula. If a dog food has flavorings, opt for specifics like “beef flavoring,” instead of “meat flavoring.” This offers a better idea of its origins.

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One of the first questions we get at Aspen Grove is about the plaque on dog teeth and how to get it off. Most dogs are pretty amenable to brushing their teeth. It really comes down to finding the time and effort to train them to get used to the idea of it. When it comes to toothpaste, it is important to use one that is dog-appropriate. Flouride typically makes most dogs pretty sensitive, so you will want to avoid that when choosing a toothpaste for your dog. Most are chicken or beef flavored which they love as it acts as a treat.
You will want to brush on all sides of their teeth in an up-and-down motion to flake off those plaque colonies. This allows the plaque to not stabilize and become tarter. If left, it can usually lead to gingivitis and periodontal disease down the road.
For dogs that aren’t amenable for physical teeth brushing, dental treats are also a great option. There are dental-specific treats that allow dogs to brush their own teeth. If you are able to get your dog to hold on to the treat and chew on it with both sides of their mouth for 3-5 minutes, that suffices! They will get some of that same physical action that’s in hand brushing.
Another question that a lot of people ask is “how do I know my dog needs professional cleaning” or “when do I need to go to the vet to get that plaque scaled off?” Your dog’s gums should be a light pink color. If there are accumulations of hard brown colonies, unhealthy looking gums or bleeding, contact us directly and make an appointment. Those are signs of gingivitis and maybe the beginning signs of periodontal disease at that point. If you keep an eye on those things then you will know when it’s time to bring your dog in for a dental check.

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Cleaning a dog’s ears is an essential part of a proper grooming and health routine. By getting regularly cleaned, ear infections are less likely to develop. Dr. Bobby Cawthron, the Lead Veterinarian at Aspen Grove, talks us through how to clean a dog’s ears by including recommended products and techniques in this video.

Choosing a Cleaner

The best thing to do when it comes to cleaning your dog’s ears is to use a commercially available dog cleaner. We highly recommend a product called Vet One Aurocin Plus. This cleaner and those similar to it are made to be extremely gentle on your dog’s eardrums and ear canals.

Applying a Cleaner

Pour the cleaner into the ear canal and completely flood it if your dog can tolerate it. This will work on breaking down some of the debris that is living in the canal edges and break it down into the solution.

Removing Cleaner

Take a dry cotton ball and wipe the accessible areas of the ears that you can see. It is okay if your dog shakes its head because this will help get out some of the access fluid and debris that you couldn’t get to.

If you notice extreme redness or debris, contact your veterinarian because those are the symptoms of an ear infection.

A little bit of cleaning during regular bath times will ensure the health and safety of your dog’s ears. If you have any questions or concerns when you do this, please feel free to contact us!

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There was a study done in 2008 that surveyed clients on if their dog ate grass or not. The results came back with about 80% of clients answering yes. Dr. Bobby Cawthron, the Lead Veterinarian at Aspen Grove, says that grass-eating is normal for dogs. In this video, he explains why they do it.

There are a few reasons why dogs eat grass:

Grass Tastes Good

Especially in the springtime, new grass is very attractive for dogs simply because it tastes good.

Boredom

If your dog is eating grass out of boredom, you can make sure that your dog is getting plenty of exercise, playtime and mind stimulus.

Results from the 2008 study showed that there was no connection between eating grass and upset stomachs, but you’ll want to keep an eye out for regular GI issues.

Gastrointestinal issues may include:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Lack of Appetite

Grass-eating wouldn’t be the main component of these issues, but it is likely a contributing factor.

If your dog is eating grass, don’t worry! This is very normal, and they do it because they want to. If you are noticing some stomach issues, please contact us to discuss them!

The post Why Do Dogs Eat Grass? appeared first on Aspen Grove Vet.

Did you know that every 1 out of 3 family pets get lost, but only about 6 out of 10 pet microchips are registered? A microchip can make all the difference in being reunited with your furry loved one.

To remind pet owners to have their pets microchipped and to keep the registration information up-to-date, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) joined together to create “Check the Chip Day.”

In order to make sure your pet has the best chance of returning  home safely, follow these tips:

Make Sure Your Pet Is Registered

Your Pets Microchip Number

Most shelters and rescues will microchip a pet prior to adoption, but it is your responsibility to register it. When you register a chip, you give the microchip company your information for them to contact you in case your pet gets lost. Contrary to popular belief, a microchip is not a GPS tracker. It will not help you locate a lost pet. A microchip is a legal form of ownership and identification. If a lost pet is brought into a vet hospital or shelter, the medical team will scan for a microchip to determine who the owner is and how to contact them.  

You can find their microchip number on your adoption papers. If you can’t find the adoption papers, call your vet or the place of adoption to ask if they have your pet’s records. You can also ask your veterinarian to scan your pet for the number.

Microchip Manufacturers

You have to register your microchip with the chip manufacturer which means it’s important for you to know what kind of chip your pet has. Here is a guide for the most common brands.

You can also determine what brand your pet’s microchip is using the AAHA Universal Pet Microchip Lookup Tool.

Confirm & Update Registration Information

If you have already registered your pet, go to the website where they are registered. Double-check that all of the important information for them to be returned to you is up to date. Your phone number and address will be used, so if you have changed anything since registration, update it!

For microchipped animals that weren’t returned to their owners, most of the time it was due to incorrect owner information (or no owner information) in the microchip registry database.

Pet Success Stories

Watch Videos: 7 Lucky Dogs Who Made it Home Thanks to Their Microchip

Pet owners often forget that their pet even has a chip, so it can be even harder to remember the importance of it! This day was started to remind you, the owner, about just that, but we hope that you never need to rely on this information.

In the case that your pet gets lost, having your pet registered will give you hope that they will be returned to you and your family soon.

The post August 15th: National Check The Chip Day appeared first on Aspen Grove Vet.

Summer nights are behind us, but fallen leaves are making an entrance! The start of a new season means that your pet will have to adjust to new weather and new potentially harmful surroundings. In order to prevent that, we recommend that you keep these five health tips for dogs and cats top of mind.

#1: Increase Exercise Habits

If the heat of the summer kept you from taking your pet to the park or on a walk, fall is the best time to get them outside again! In between the high temperatures of summer and the cold chills of winter, you will want to make sure your pet gets enough exercise. Start off slow to prevent injury, and work up their endurance with long walks. The benefits of exercise include a stronger heart, lower blood pressure, more energy and denser bones.

#2: Keep Back-to-School Supplies Out of Reach

It’s the time of the year where crayons are left out and glue is left open for your furry one to get into! Here is a list of school supplies that you will want to keep in backpacks for the health of your pet: erasers, glue sticks, markers, pencils, pens, paperclips, and more. Eating non-food items like this could cause intestinal blockage.

#3: Remove Poisonous Mushrooms

The fall season can be extremely rainy and with that comes the opportunity for fungus to grow in your backyard. Make sure to keep a close eye on your own yard, and remove mushrooms as soon as you see them. If you take your pet on walks, make sure they steer clear of areas with mushrooms. Symptoms of mushroom poisoning can range from mild vomiting and diarrhea to severe digestive problems to complete liver failure. If you fear your pet has eaten a poisonous mushroom, visit your veterinarian immediately and remember to take a sample of the mushroom with you.

#4: Beware of Anti-Rodent Products

Mice and rats find their way to warmer surroundings as soon as the weather starts to cool down. They are likely to be found in your garage or even within your home. You will need to make sure that any rodenticides you use are safe for your animal to be around. Most rodenticides are extremely poisonous to cats and dogs alike. Alternatives to the use of chemicals for the health of your pet are traditional traps, bait stations or the catch and release method.

#5: Don’t Share Your Treats!

Believe it or not, Halloween is right around the corner, and grocery stores have already started selling bags of candy! Most pet owners know that chocolate is toxic to dogs, but so are sugar-free sweeteners and raisins. A lot of ingredients found in treats can harm your pets as well as their wrappers. Keep candy bags and bowls completely out of reach to prevent sickness.

It is important to be aware of the health of your pet as the seasons change. Just like humans, they have to adjust to a new season, and it can lead to sickness in a variety of ways. In the case that your pet gets into any of these items or others that cause harm, please contact us right away. 

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Preparing for the arrival of your new baby should include a plan for carefully introducing the baby to your dog(s). You will want to start to do this before the baby has already arrived. The first step is getting the dog adjusted to the baby’s surroundings: crib, clothing, toys and anything else included in the nursery. It is important that your dog is adjusted to the new smells and noises.

Once the baby comes home, it is important to plan a controlled introduction when the baby is calm. It is best for both the dog and the baby is neither of them is fussy because that causes too much overwhelming stimulation for the first interaction.

As the baby grows up into a toddler, there will be new interactions that need to take place considering their awareness of the dog changes. They will need to know how to handle having pets in the house. Dogs have normal, natural behavior. They like to fetch, chase and catch. Of course, this might interfere with some playtime that kids are having. You want to make sure that they understand these natural behaviors, and how to handle having to share a little bit of the attention.

In order to make your household as harmonious as possible through the stages of your baby’s life, you will want to make sure to follow these steps.

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Some pet conditions and injuries just can’t wait, and that can be stressful for you and your pet. Luckily, there are advantages to Urgent Pet Care at Aspen Grove Veterinary Clinic. Our conveniently located emergency and urgent medical care team is here to relieve the stress in the following ways.

Convenient, Late-Night Hours

Our pet urgent care is open Monday – Friday from 8 am – 8:30 pm and Saturday from 9 am – 3 pm.

No Appointment Necessary

You are more than welcome to make an appointment, or you can walk right in. No matter what, you will be greeted by a specially-trained receptionist and medical team ready to help your pet and help them to recover. Below is an explanation of our appointment types as well as pricing.

• Scheduled medical appointment: $52 exam (plus the cost for additional diagnostics, treatments, and medication)
• Urgent Care (called ahead): $79 (plus the cost for the exam, additional diagnostics, treatments, and medication)
• Emergency Care or Walk-in: $150 (plus the cost for the exam, additional diagnostics, treatments, and medication)

A Highly Trained Medical Team

The experienced and skilled urgent pet care staff is trained to triage and provide critical, medical, and surgical care for your sick and injured pets when your primary care veterinarian is unavailable. You can trust that they will be ready and able to treat your pet just like your primary care veterinarian does.

Full-service capabilities

Our Fort Collins emergency vet hospital is equipped with advanced technology such as oxygen therapy, ultrasound, EKG, digital x-ray, defibrillation, surgical laser, and an in-house laboratory and a pharmacy to assist in the recovery of your pet

Affordable Pricing

At Aspen Grove Urgent Pet Care, we offer affordable pricing and payment solutions. Monthly payment plans are available through Care Credit or Scratch Pay. Learn more about our payment policies.

For more information, visit our Urgent Pet Care page, When to Use Urgent Care information page or contact us!

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Colorado winters are mild compared to many other locations, but that doesn’t make the snow any less cold! It is important to know how to care for your pets before, during and after they are out in the snow.

Here are some of our expert tips on how to keep your dog safe in the snow:

Protect Their Paws

The snow can be harsh on your dog’s paws. The cold weather, snow, and ice can lead to cracked or peeling paw pads. Here are some tips to protect them:

• Dry them off as soon as you get back inside
• Wash their paws to remove salt and chemicals
• Put booties on to prevent salt from getting between their toes and keep them warm
• OR use petroleum jelly on paw pads before going outside to protect salt and chemical agents

Keep Their Fur Long

We don’t recommend shaving your dog down to the skin in the winter. However, if your dog is long-haired you should trim their fur to prevent clinging ice balls, salt crystals or deicing chemicals. If your dog is short-haired, consider getting him or her a coat or sweater that provides coverage from the base of the tail to the belly.

Humidify Your Home

Repeatedly coming out of the cold into the dry heat of your home can cause your pet’s skin to be itchy and flakey. Using a humidifier to add moisture to the indoor air may help to reduce the occurrence of dry, cracked skin.

Keep Your Pet Hydrated and Well Fed

Pets burn extra energy when trying to stay warm, so you will want to feed your pet a higher quality food and add a bit more to their bowl during cold weather months to provide the much-needed calories. It is also important that they are kept well hydrated. Even though it is not as hot out, they still need plenty of water.

Aspen Grove Veterinary Care is your resource for all of your pet care needs, so if you have any questions, please reach out to our team online or call 970-416-0232.

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