In partnership with the Chestermere Library, the Community Therapy Dogs Society introduced a free program called "Listening Tails" in 2014. The program uses therapy dogs as a reading buddy for children to read out-loud to, helping improve their confidence. Dogs are non-judgmental and help create a relaxing environment for children to read in. The dogs are always on leash and accompanied by their handler who plays a fairly passive role during the reading sessions. If a child struggles with a particular word, rather than the handler correcting the child, the handler suggests that the dog thinks the word is pronounced this way, thereby maintaining the bond between child and dog.
For more information on the program or visit: 
https://www.ctds.ca/programs
Chestermere Veterinary Clinic provides a thorough medical exam to each of the prospective therapy dogs prior to their acceptance in the program.

​It is a dreaded thought that every pet owner has. What if I lose my pet? Unfortunately, even with the best care and preventive measures in place, a pet can still become lost.
So what should you do?
For starters, prevention is key!
The easiest and first thing you should do is purchase a collar and tag for your pet that has your phone number on it. If you change your number, don’t forget to update the tag! Your pet should wear this at all times. Cats can wear collars too, but make sure you purchase a break away collar for your cat, since they are more likely to snag themselves being the slinky little creatures they are! If the sound of tags clinking bothers you, there are small tag bags that most pet stores sell to cover the tags, protect them from fading, and will silence the clinking sound.
Have your pet micro chipped. Come and see us at Chestermere Veterinary Clinic to have your pet micro chipped, we can do this in a few short minutes without your pet needing to undergo any anesthetic or sedation.
Have your pet spayed or neutered (we recommend soon after they have turned 6 months old) to help inhibit their need to roam, also have them tattooed at the time of their surgery. A tattoo does not compare to the reliability of a micro chip for identification because they can fade or become difficult to read, however they are an excellent visual indicator that the pet does belong to someone and is not a stray (while a person cannot tell whether a pet has a micro chip unless they are scanned for one).
Teach your pets to sit and stay at open doors and wait for your permission to leave. This way you will be less likely to have a pet bolt out an open door at the first opportunity.
Regularly check window & door screens in the summer to make sure they are secure if you have your windows open. Also check the fence in your yard for possible holes or weaknesses your pet may be able to escape through.
You may have done everything right and still have a lost pet on your hands, what now?
Start looking for your missing pet as soon as you notice they are missing. The sooner you start searching, the closer to home they are likely to be. Bring along a noisy toy you know they like or some special treats. Call their name loudly and be sure to check all their favorite places and regular walking paths. If looking for a cat, a flashlight can be handy to bring along as well, often times cats will be very close by, under a deck or porch. Leave some food out on the front step to help entice them to come back as well.
Print posters with a recent photo of your pet, where you last saw them, when they went missing, and your contact information. Other information such as whether your pet was wearing a collar and has a tattoo or micro chip can also be helpful. Post these where ever you can! Call your local veterinary clinics (Chestermere Veterinary Clinic 403-272-3573), Calgary Humane Society (403-723-6025) and bylaw officer (Chestermere bylaw 403-207-7058) to report your pet missing. Use social media as well, by posting pictures on facebook in high traffic groups from your local area, such as Chestermere Veterinary Clinic’s facebook page. You can e-mail your poster to us at chestvet@telus.net so we can post it at the clinic.
You can also visit the website http://www.petlynx.net to report your pet missing. Any recent found reports that match yours will instantly be sent to you for review.
Don’t give up! We once recovered a cat that had been missing from the owners for 3 years! They went on to have a happy reunion!
What should you do if you find a lost pet?
If the pet is wearing a collar with a phone number, call that number first. If there is no collar, then just as above, call your local veterinary clinics, Calgary Humane Society and bylaw officer to report the pet. Bring the pet in to a veterinary clinic to be checked for a tattoo and microchip. If you are unable to hold on to the pet until the owner is found, you will need to bring the pet to the Calgary Humane Society. The Chestermere bylaw officer can also take dogs.
If you have any questions at all, don’t hesitate to contact us at the Chestermere Veterinary Clinic 403-272-3573, http://www.chestermerevet.com.

Raw food diets, also termed the BARF diet (biologically appropriate raw food or bone and raw food) have been hailed as the cure for many health problems ailing our cat and dog friends. Unfortunately, these claims are largely based in theory and opinion, and have little scientific proof to back them up. The actual scientific studies do show however, that there are several concerns to consider if you plan to feed a raw diet.
Nutritional Deficiencies
A study comparing home made diets to the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) standards found 86% deficient in at least 1 nutrient, 55% deficient in protein, and 77% deficient in taurine – an essential amino acid for cats.
Contaminated Raw Food
One study reported Salmonella in 45% – 66% of tested raw meat samples. A larger Canadian study found Salmonella in 22% of commercial frozen diets.
Environmental Contamination
A study following dogs that ingested Salmonella contaminated meat found that these dogs shed Salmonella in their feces for up to 11 days after ingestion. This contaminated feces can infect other pets or people that come into contact with it. Infected food bowls and cutting boards etc. can also transmit Salmonella to other pets and people.
Infection
Most at risk are children, elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. However, people and pets can become infected and become very ill from raw food pathogens like Salmonella. In some cases, infection can even be fatal.
So if you choose to feed raw, make sure you know the risks, and always practice strict hygiene with the raw food by:
-Washing hands after handling raw meat
-Storing raw meat so it does not come in contact with other food items
-Disinfecting all items that contact the raw food
-Having designated cutting boards just for the raw meat
-Not thawing raw meat at room temperature or allowing it to sit in food bowls – it should be eaten right away
-Cleaning and disinfecting food and water bowls right after feeding
-High risk individuals should not handle the food or food bowls
-Promptly cleaning up feces and washing hands afterwards
If you have any further questions about raw diets, please contact us at Chestermere Veterinary Clinic 403-272-3573, chestvet@telus.net or visit us at http://www.chestermerevet.com.
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Sources:
Burns, Kara, M. “Alternative and raw food diets: caution advised.” Canadian Vet, Volume 8, Number 1. January/February 2013.

​Here is the list for the top 10 most common poisonous substances
For Dogs:
Ibuprofen
Chocolate
Ant/Roach Bait
Rat Poison
Acetaminophen
Cold Medicines containing Pseudoephedrine
Thyroid hormones
Bleach
Fertilizer
Hydrocarbons (paint, varnish, oil, fuel)
For Cats:
parasite prevention products meant for dogs, containing Permethrin
Other topical parasite prevention products
Venlafaxine – an antidepressant
Glow sticks/jewellery
Lilies
Liquid Potpourri
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
Acetaminophen
Rat Poison
Amphetamines
Symptoms following ingestion may include but are not limited to: muscle paralysis, nervous system malfunction, fatality, irritation of stomach and intestines, dizziness, increased heart rate, vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, convulsions, depression, weakened heart beat, intense burning in the mouth esophagus or stomach, stupor, skin inflammation, stomach or intestine ulceration, profuse salivation, tongue swelling and suffocation, excitement, breathing distress, coma, weakness, collapse, staggering, tingling, numbness, vision impairment or blindness, abdominal cramps, drowsiness, blisters, pupil dilation, headaches, elevated blood pressure.
If you suspect your pet has come into contact or ingested any of these items or other possible toxic substances, call the Chestermere Veterinary Clinic at 403-272-3573 right away.
For 24 hour/7 days a week availability call the Pet Poison Helpline: 1-800-213-6680 or visit http://www.petpoisonhelpline.com.
The sooner you get your pet help, the better the likelihood for recovery. Remember to have the ingested substance with you, if possible, to give information over the phone, or to give to the veterinary team in person.
If you have further questions about toxic substances e-mail us at chestvet@telus.net or visit us at http://www.chestermerevet.com.
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Sources:
Meadows, Irina DVM & Sharon Gwaltney-Brant DVM, PhD. “The 10 Most Common Toxicoses in Dogs.”
Veterinary Medicine, dvm360.com.Published March 2006.
Merola, Valentina DVM, DABT & Eric Dunayer MS, VMD, DABT. “The 10 Most Common Toxicoses in Cats.” Veterinary Medicine, dvm360.com. Published June 2006.

Signs of a skin condition include redness, irritation, flaking, being excessively dry or oily, and patchy hair loss.
There are several common causes for skin conditions in dogs, they include:
Allergies to food or environmental factors like pollen, mold or dust.
Parasites like fleas, lice or mites.
Hormonal Imbalances
Bacterial Infections
To determine which if any of these factors may be causing your dogs skin condition, a veterinarian must first examine your dog and may require a skin or blood sample to further investigate and find the cause. Call us at Chestermere Veterinary Clinic 403-272-3573 to book an appointment for an examination.
Allergy testing can be performed using a blood sample or intradermal testing, and can help you find out exactly what your dog is allergic to. This allows you to try to limit your dogs exposure to those specific allergens. Or if you choose, immunotherapy can be preformed, which exposes your dog to their allergens in small doses and builds their tolerance up against the allergen.
To find parasites on the skin, your veterinarian may require a skin scraping which they will view under a microscope. Some parasites are also visible to the naked eye. If a parasite is found, your dog will be started on an anti-parasitic drug to kill the parasites.
Hormonal imbalances can also be identified from a blood test. The best course of action for hormonal imbalances will depend on the cause of the imbalance, sometimes surgical intervention will be necessary (spaying/neutering, or removal of the gland), and sometimes hormone therapy (medications/supplements) may be the solution.
Bacterial infections can be found by skin scraping and will usually require antibiotics.
All skin conditions can benefit from a high quality diet.
Look for a diet that has:
High quality protein – provides building blocks for natural cell repair
Essential Fatty Acids – omega 3 & 6 help nourish and protect skin and prevent dryness
Antioxidants – Vitamin E promotes healthy immune system and protects from cellular oxidation caused by free radicals
If you have further questions about skin conditions in dogs e-mail us at chestvet@telus.net or visit us at http://www.chestermerevet.com.
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Source:
Hill’s Pet Nutrition Inc. “Allergic Dermatitis – What Causes Skin Conditions in Dogs?” Hill’s Pet Nutrition Inc. 2013. Web April 16, 2013. http://www.hillspet.ca/en-ca/dog-care/dog-disease-allergic-dermatitis.html

Every year thousands of dogs and cats ingest poisonous or harmful substances. The best way to avoid this is knowing what substances are poisonous or harmful, and poison proofing your home. You can even prepare a pet poison first aid kit, as a “just in case” back up! Visit http://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/pet-owners/basics/pet-poison-first-aid-kit/ to see how to assemble your kit, but remember to always speak with a poison control specialist or veterinarian before administering any of the therapies at home, since different poisons will require different remedies.
You can also search toxic foods and plants online at the Pet Poison Helpline. If your pet has ingested anything you are concerned about, contact Chestermere Veterinary Clinic: 403-272-3573 or the pet poison helpline: 1-800-213-6680 (24 hours, 7 days a week) http://www.petpoisonhelpline.com immediately.
Be sure to have ready information such as: what you think your pet ingested (it may be helpful to have the container, if applicable, so you can read the information off to the vet), when you think your pet ingested the item, and approximately how much was ingested.
Symptoms following ingestion may include but are not limited to: muscle paralysis, nervous system malfunction, fatality, irritation of stomach and intestines, dizziness, increased heart rate, vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, convulsions, depression, weakened heart beat, intense burning in the mouth esophagus or stomach, stupor, skin inflammation, stomach or intestine ulceration, profuse salivation, tongue swelling and suffocation, excitement, breathing distress, coma, weakness, collapse, staggering, tingling, numbness, vision impairment or blindness, abdominal cramps, drowsiness, blisters, pupil dilation, headaches, elevated blood pressure.
If you have further questions please call us at Chestermere Veterinary Clinic 403-272-3573 or visit us at http://www.chestermerevet.com.

So many of us consider our pets as so much more than just animals, they are loved members of our families, and we would do anything to help keep them healthy, or save them in a time of medical crisis. However, many of us do not have savings or a “rainy day” fund set aside to cover an unexpected illness or injury. Pet insurance provides peace of mind for the unknown and helps reduce “economic” euthanasia (where a pet owner’s only option is humane euthanasia when treatment becomes too costly).
There have been so many incredible advances in veterinary medicine over the past decade, that now there is even more than ever before that can be done for a pet. Consider that treatments like chemotherapy and organ transplants, once only considered for humans, can now be performed on pets. Veterinarians also have far more tools available for diagnosis, such as MRI’s. These advances are costly, but pet insurance can help! Take a look at http://trupanion.com/pet-insurance/actual-claims for an idea of the costs of some common illnesses, accidents and hereditary conditions.
There are a number of different insurance providers for pet insurance, so shop around and find out the details of each. Policies, premiums and deductibles can vary widely, find out if there are limit payouts by incident, year or the animal’s lifetime and ask about discounts for insuring multiple pets. It is always in your best interest to get the insurance as early on in your pets life as possible, while they are young and healthy, and do not have any conditions that will be classified as “pre-existing” and will not be covered. Some providers may also provide coverage for routine pet costs such as vaccines, dentistry, pet food and training. Ask your veterinarian about signing your pet up for a free trail, this way your pet will be covered for free while you do your research into the different companies and decide which is right for you.
Visit http://trupanion.com/canada and https://www.petsecure.com/ to get some free quotes for your pet. These are 2 of the most popular pet insurance providers but there are others!
Still not sure? At the very least make sure you do put aside some savings for your pets. At least $20-60 per month (about what you would pay for the average pet insurance policy) is a good place to start. But keep in mind, should a large unexpected accident or illness arise, you may not have accumulated very much in your savings to cover it. However, if paying into a pet insurance policy, even as soon as your wait period is finished, you could be covered up to an unlimited amount!
If you have further questions please call us at Chestermere Veterinary Clinic 403-272-3573 or visit us at www.chestermerevet.com.
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Sources:
Trupanion Pet Insurance http://trupanion.com/canada
Pet Secure Pet Insurance http://www.petsecure.com
Weston, Liz. “Should you buy pet insurance?” MSN Money, Personal Finance 2010. Web May 3, 2013. http://money.msn.com/insurance/should-you-buy-pet-insurance-weston.aspx

We all love to shower our pets with love and spoil them with tasty treats, but did you know that just a few of their favorite high calorie treats can really spoil their diet? Some of the most loved treats include bacon, cheese, and hot dogs, and these treats can really cause a pet’s waist to expand! Fat and sugar is also loaded into many packaged treats you can buy at the store. Obesity in pets is on the rise and along with it comes increased rates of arthritis, heart disease and cancer.
So next time you want to give your pet a tasty treat, consider some of these healthier lower calorie options instead:
Raw Vegetables (or your pet may prefer them cooked, just make sure you do not add any salt or butter!)
– baby carrots
– green beans
– yam
– celery
– pumpkin (remove seeds)
– zuchinni
Dried meat strips are a good option for store bought treats, check the ingredient list and make sure there is no added sugar or salt.
A great idea for summer time is freezing small chunks of fruit into ice cubes and giving to your pet outside to munch on. Safe fruits include:
– apple (remove seeds)
– kiwi
– watermelon (remove seeds)
– strawberries
– banana
You can also hide these foods inside of a rubber kong toy!
If your pet is struggling with a weight issue, be sure to talk to the team at Chestermere Veterinary Clinic at 403-272-3573, chestvet@telus.net (or visit us at http://www.chestermerevet.com), so we can help you start your pet on a weight loss program.
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Sources:
Kam, Katherine. “Healthy Dog Treats: Natural, Organic, and Other Treats to Help Keep Dogs Fit.” Web MD Healthy Dogs Guide 2012. Web June 15, 2013. http://pets.webmd.com/dogs/guide/healthy-dog-treats

​Taking pictures of your pets does not have to be left to the professionals! You can get some great photos and have a lot of fun by following some of these great tips!
Environment:
Make sure you choose an environment where your pet is comfortable and knows the surroundings,
you should allow 30 minutes for the pet to get used to the environment and the to the camera/photographer.
The best time for taking pictures is in the morning and in the evening, not mid-day.
Do not take pictures with the sun behind the pet.
Equipment:
Use a medium zoom fast lens, such as a 24-105 mm f4 with image stabilizer.
Using your macro lens will get better details.
Use a narrow depth of field, meaning that the pet is clear but the background is blurry.
Use an iso setting of around 800.
Tips:
Make sure that the eyes of the pet are very clear/sharp or in focus; you always want to have a little bit of light in their eyes.
Be patient and wait for the moment when the pet is acting naturally!
Position the pet slightly off center in your picture.
Have somebody else help you when taking pet pictures: they can catch the pet’s attention by whistling or calling their name or squeaking their favorite toy.
Try taking pictures at the pet’s level rather than standing up and looking down at them. This can give a completely different and fun perspective to the photo!
Try catching their personality in the picture: catch them in action, sometimes these are the best shots!

No one really knows why pets, especially dogs, eat grass. There are many theories including that they lack fibre in their diet, boredom, or that they eat grass when they feel sick which helps them vomit up what is “unhealthy” in their stomach.
Regardless of the cause, there are a number of reasons why letting your pet eat grass is not a good idea:
– Grass sprayed with pesticides or fertilizer can make your pet very sick. Some pets need to be hospitalized and treated for fertilizer or pesticide toxicity after eating grass.
– Large amounts of ingested grass can cause obstruction in the stomach and sometimes even bloat which can be deadly.
– Some pets have to have surgery to remove the grass they have ingested.
– Dry grass (like foxtails) can cause severe irritation of the throat or choking: dogs will start coughing and retching and show signs of discomfort after eating foxtails. The foxtails can become lodged at the back of the throat at the tonsils and create inflammation and infection, as well as a lot of discomfort. Pets often require general anesthetic and a throat scope for the grass awns to be removed, and 7 – 14 days of home care depending on severity.
If your pet becomes sick after ingesting grass be sure to call Chestermere Veterinary Clinic at 403-272-3573 and have your pet seen by a Doctor.
If you are concerned your pet may not be getting enough fibre in their diet, ask the team at Chestermere Veterinary Clinic about foods with more fibre that you can feed your pet.
If you suspect boredom may be the source of your pets grass eating activities, try to make the backyard more exciting with hidden toys or treats, or go out into the yard with them and have some fun!
Should you have any questions call Chestermere Veterinary Clinic at 403-272-3573, or visit us at http://www.chestermerevet.com.