Did you know that by 4 months of age, 80% of your puppy's brain has already developed to maturity? That means they have already formed a variety of associations with their surroundings and the people and objects within it. This is why socializing your young puppy in a safe and controlled environment is so important. The prime time to do this is between 8-16 weeks of age. During this time frame they are taking in the most stimuli from their environment and deciding what they do and do not like.  If they have negative experiences, it can set them up for fear and anxiety later in life. For this reason, I am excited to announce that I have teamed up with a local trainer for puppy socialization classes at Hillside Animal Hospital.  

Sarah Hoth, owner of the Persuaded Pooch, is a KPA-CTP and Fear Free Certified trainer in the St Louis area. She has extensive knowledge of canine behavior and learning, and has turned this passion into a successful dog training business. Sarah has worked with service and therapy dogs, as well as helping owners with their pet's obedience challenges. She achieves this using positive reinforcement methods. This training approach has been proven to not only gain better long term results, but also help strengthen the bond between you and your pet. She continues to expand her knowledge by attending seminars and classes throughout the year. 

For those of you who don't know me, I am Carolyn a Registered Veterinary Technician at Hillside Animal Hospital. While I enjoy the medical side of my job, I've always been drawn to the behavior field. I offer behavior consultations at Hillside in conjunction with our doctors and attend meetings and conferences with an emphasis on behavior throughout the year. I am thrilled to have obtained the highest level of Fear Free Certification, and plan on obtaining other behavior related certifications. I am also proud that Hillside was the first hospital in St Louis City, the 22nd nationally, to become a Fear Free Certified Practice. We worked hard for this distinction and are excited to see our patients respond to our new ways of making vet visits fun.  For more information about Fear Free visit Fear Free Happy Homes. 

Now that you know a little about Sarah and myself, let me tell you about our classes. After our start date was delayed due to weather, we were excited to finally hold our first group of puppies on January 26th. These courses are designed to introduce your puppy to new people, other puppies, sounds, and objects. Each class focuses on basic training skills as well as exposure to different stimuli. We are accepting all eligible puppies on a rotating basis, meaning that enrollment is always open. All puppies must be between the ages of 8-12 weeks at the time of registration, up to date on vaccinations, and healthy. We also offer a promotion for established Hillside clients. For more information, or to register your pup, see the persuadedpooch.com. 

The socialization process is never ending. Since puppies spend the majority of their time at home, we strongly urge our pet parents to continue the process outside the class setting. We like to think of it as vaccinating your puppy against behavior problems in the future. You have the opportunity to set your pup up for success with continual and safe exposure to people, places, and other pets. However, if you notice them displaying fear in any situation, you should seek guidance from a veterinary professional. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us at Hillside Animal Hospital. We look forward to meeting you and your new puppies! 

We all have an idea of our perfect pet. It may be a particular breed, a desired gender, or have a
personality that fits our lifestyle. Some prefer a young animal that they can train, while others
want to skip the housetraining and choose to adopt an older animal. Animals with imperfections
are often looked over. They may have behavior issues or some other less desirable physical
trait. We can judge books by their covers even though we should know better. Throughout my
time spent at Hillside Animal Hospital I have seen a variety of animals selected by owners for
many different reasons. Some carefully selected after researching the animal and visiting with
them. Others seem to be simply selected by fate and fate is what leads me to talk about two of
our newest and unique patients at the clinic.

It was a typical day at the clinic. Surgeries had finished up and patients were being cared for as
they recovered. Appointments were moving along smoothly and everything was routine. Of
course routine, often involves a new rescue from Gateway Pet Guardians. The rescue
organization, along with others that we work with, will often go out and find strays that are
living on the streets. On this day they came across a litter of puppies in an abandoned house.
Upon entering the house all of the puppies scattered and ran away. All of them except for two
small puppies. These puppies would have loved to run away I'm sure, but unfortunately they
could not move fast enough. This was because they couldn't fully control their back legs. Not
knowing what had caused this, they were scooped up and taken to Hillside to assess why they
couldn't use their legs. Upon examination we realized that the puppies weren't injured,but most
likely had a congenital defect that caused them to drag their back legs. One puppy's joints
seemed to be stiff and bent in the wrong direction. We had to seriously question their quality of
life. Would it be fair for them to live a life partially paralyzed? Who would care for them as they
grew and what hardships would they face? Thankfully, they had champions on their side.
Melissa, another R.V.T and my wife, devised a plan to help the puppies out. She spoke with
Lindsay, a Veterinary Assistant at the clinic and the founder of The Feral Companion, about the
puppies. Lindsay had access to some of the resources that the puppies may need such as carts
for when they were bigger and had a special division of her rescue for special needs animals.
She also had one other critical thing that all rescue organizations need, a willing foster for the
pups. Those fosters of course, were Melissa and me. Since many rescue organizations work
together to accomplish the amazing things that they do, Gateway agreed to transfer the puppies
to The Feral Companion.

Now that the puppies were in our care, our minds were frantic with ideas for rehabilitating them
and building/obtaining their carts. They were named Thor and Loki because we needed strong
names to start their new lives out on a firm foundation. The names suited them well. Thor is the
bigger of the two and would always rush in to greet you or to play, even if his legs wouldn't fully
allow him. Loki is smaller in stature and is more relaxed (low-key, if you will). He also has a
knack for inching close to you to give you a few kisses before nibbling on your nose. Melissa
went to work and constructed two carts out of PVC pipe, padding, wheels, and duct tape. The
boys now had a way to get around faster. This fun project and their story even made it on the
local news! We were nervous what their new lives might bring. We estimated that their total
lifetime vet care could be close to $10,000. This planned for routine vet care, such as annual
wellness visits throughout their lives and their neuters. It also covered their carts and potential
surgeries and care for their legs. These two would not only require fundraising, but a very
understanding home when they were adopted. They have flaws that not everyone is able to
accept. All of this being said,today they have much sturdier carts and Loki has found his new
home. His name is now Dash, after the little speedster from The Incredibles. His new parents

have found their "Perfect Pet" in this lovable and energetic puppy. His new parents even work at
an animal hospital! Melissa and I adopted Dash a few weeks after first taking him and Thor
home to foster. He travels with us every day to the clinic and can see his brother, Thor on most
days. Thor is still looking for his forever home and I know that he will find it.Why, you ask?
Because him and Dash are both the "Perfect Pet".

The new year is bringing exciting changes to Hillside Animal Hospital. If you haven't been in recently to see our new separate cat waiting space and exam room, you should stop by. These newly constructed areas help make your cat's visit as stress free as possible. In our waiting area we diffuse calming lavender as well as provide towels sprayed with Feliway, a pheromone product to help reduce stress levels in cats. These towels can be placed over your cat's carrier while you wait. The exam room has toys, treats, soothing sounds, and soft bedding to make your feline friend feel more at home. It also provides more Feliway in the forms of a plug in diffuser and freshly sprayed towels on the exam table. We recognize that your cat's mental health is just as important as their physical condition, and that most do not enjoy their veterinary visits. Our goal is to provide an environment that is much quieter and more comfortable than the standard exam room.

We have also incorporated using reward based methods during your dog's appointment. The most common of which is providing food treats to make the visit more enjoyable. You will notice our staff offering various food choices such as cheese and peanut butter to your pet (if you or a member of your family has any food allergies or sensitivities, please let our staff know). If your dog has a favorite treat or toy at home, please bring it with you. We are also happy to have you actively participate in their appointments, and may even recruit your help feeding them treats as we do our exams. We always enjoy watching them perform their tricks and rewarding those behaviors, so feel free to show off how smart your dog is. You may also notice that we are using more gentle handling techniques. Our staff has been trained in canine body language and are constantly reading the subtle cues your dog is giving us. We do not wish to scare your dog, so we try to ease into the handling process. If you have an especially anxious or frightened dog, we can discuss signing you up for our free Happy Visit program or even using anti-anxiety medications to help ease their stress on future visits. The goal is for your dog to have a pleasant and fun experience while at our hospital. 


The catalyst behind these changes is a recent movement in veterinary medicine called Fear Free. Veterinarians noticed that the stress their patient's were experiencing during visits could be damaging to their overall physical health. Unfortunately, studies proved this to be true. Just like in people, stress causes an increase in the hormone called cortisol in pets. Prolonged exposure to high levels of cortisol can cause an array of health problems. This prompted a series of lectures to be created to help teach other veterinarians how to recognize and treat their patient's behavioral health in the clinical setting. As interest grew, these lectures were expanded to all veterinary staff, groomers, and trainers. As of 2017, over 21,000 veterinary and pet professionals have committed to becoming Fear Free Certified. And the numbers are growing every day. Here at Hillside we are excited to join this movement. So far 11 of our staff members have earned their certification, and several others are in the process. In order to become certified, we had to complete over 9 hours of coursework. We are also required to continue our education throughout the year in order to renew our certification. In the Spring of 2018, they are launching a practice certification process. Much like our AAHA accreditation, the process will require an on site visit by a Fear Free administrator. During that visit they will evaluate our clinic and staff to be sure we are meeting their standards. These Fear Free methods are becoming the new standard of care in veterinary medicine. We are happy to see the shift to recognizing the importance of incorporating behavioral health to their overall physical report.
Fear Free is not just for veterinary and pet professionals. Recently they launched Fear Free Happy Homes. This free membership enables you to have access to a wealth of information. They send out weekly newsletters as well as provide deals on products every Friday. These products focus on enriching your pet's home environment, some are even tailored to our shy furry friends. They also have links with tips on nutrition, behavior, travel, and safety concerns such as firework or other noise phobias. We encourage all of our clients to take a look at their website fearfreehappyhomes.com and consider signing up for their membership.

All of us at Hillside Animal Hospital are excited to see how these methods are positively affecting our patients and clients. We have had numerous clients commenting on how much more relaxed their pets appear. And for those with very fearful pets, we have received positive feedback on how the gentler handling techniques appear to help ease the stress they experience during their visits. Our goal is to have the veterinary experience to be fun for both pet and owner. Visit fearfreepets.com for more information schedule your appointment today to see these changes in action. 

​-By Jayme, Hillside Vet Tech

What is Leptospirosis?
Leptospirosis is a zoonotic bacteria; meaning it can be spread from animals to humans. The
bacteria are often found in rodents, such as mice, but can be found in other wild and domestic
animals (dogs, raccoons, opossums, cattle, sheep, goats, etc). The leptospira bacterium is spread
through the urine of the infected animal. An animal may be infected with the bacteria, but not
have any symptoms at all. In fact, animals that are carriers can continue to spread the bacteria in
the environment for months to several years. In the environment (water and soil) the bacteria can
survive for weeks to months.

How is it transmitted?
A person that comes in contact with animal urine contaminated with leptospirosis could become
infected. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) states that the bacteria can enter through the
skin, especially if the skin barrier is broken or damaged, or mucous membranes (eyes, mouth,
and nose). Transmission in animals mirrors that of the transmission in people.

What are the symptoms?
According to the CDC website, humans will have fever, chills, headaches, muscle aches,
vomiting, jaundice, red eyes, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and a rash. Leptospirosis may also take
place in two phases; with the second phase (also known as Weil’s disease) being much more
severe. Kidney and/or liver failure and/or meningitis are all possibilities in the second phase.
The CDC reports symptoms in pets are as follows: fever, vomiting, jaundice, abdominal pain,
diarrhea, refusal to eat, severe depression and weakness, stiffness, severe muscle pain, kidney
and/or liver damage, and inability to have puppies.

How is it treated?
With pets that have been diagnosed with leptospirosis, hospitalization is always recommended.
Treatment is intensive antibiotic therapy. Patients are hospitalized with an intravenous catheter,
started on fluid therapy, intravenous antibiotics, and at times radiographs are warranted. If a
patient reaches discharge status, it can be months before a patient’s renal and/or hepatic recovery
can take months. Some damage may be irreversible.

Who’s at risk?
Everyone! However, the risk increases if a person enjoys outdoor activities especially around
water. In our pets, it is our belief that they are all at risk. Even here in the city we have rodents
that are potential carriers. Again, though, those risks increase with our furry friends that enjoy
the outdoor activities such as camping and hiking.

How is it prevented?
In our canine patients, there is a vaccine available to help protect them from acquiring
leptospirosis. Dogs that live in the city and country are treated equally when it comes to our
recommendation for vaccinating against leptospirosis. We have some of the above mentioned
animals in our own backyards here in the city. We have also had the unfortunate task, of
informing pet owners their dog has this devastating disease. By vaccinating your dog against
leptospirosis, it greatly decreases the chances of your dog acquiring it. If you are unsure if your
dogs have been vaccinated against leptospirosis, or have more questions, please feel free to give
us a call at the hospital and we would be happy to answer any questions you may have.

by Matthew Lang R.V.T.

Summer will be coming to an end soon and Fall will be right around the corner. Kids are going back to school, the leaves will begin to change color, and all things pumpkin will make their return (Pumpkin-spice kitty litter anyone?). This is a time to buy school supplies, put away the swim trunks and start thinking about taking your animals off their flea, tick, and heartworm prevention....or is it? Maybe they only spend time indoors so they don't even need to be on prevention in the first place, right? This edition of Hillside Mythbusters will look at these and other myths that deal with your pet's monthly preventatives.
​
Myth: I don't need to keep my pets on prevention during the colder months.
BUSTED: Even during the winter months fleas and ticks can still lie dormant until one warm day arrives. This will often cause an infestation in your home if you have taken your pets off preventatives or they weren't on any at all. In our area we often never see an extended period of cold weather that would get rid of fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes(which cause heartworms). So this means that they can still be present even throughout the winter.
Myth: My pet lives inside, so they don't need to be on prevention.
BUSTED: Unfortunately, fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes are crafty creatures. There is a reason we label them as pests. Fleas can jump on you or your pet when they walk outside in a matter of seconds. Mosquitoes often will fly inside your house just from a door or window being opened. Also, no pet ever seems to totally live indoors, unless you are using puppy pads/litterboxes and have one of those nifty tubes that the bank uses to transport your pet around (Good luck getting that image out of your head!). Ticks will often attach to your clothes without you realizing it and can then latch onto your pet.
Myth: I don't have any carpets, so fleas can't live in my home.
BUSTED: Fleas are small, but their eggs are even smaller. You can think of flea eggs as grains of salt. Animals with fleas are like walking shakers of salt spreading flea eggs everywhere. These eggs will get into carpeting, furniture, or even the small cracks in between hardwood floors! A single  female flea can lay 20 eggs a day and eggs typically develop between 2 days and 2 weeks. With the volume of eggs being laid and how quickly they develop, you can see how quickly an infestation can occur.
Myth: I never see any fleas, so there is no need to use prevention on my pets.
BUSTED: With fleas it is what you don't see that is the problem.  Flea eggs make up 50% of the entire flea population and ,as mentioned earlier, are the size of a grain of salt. They then hatch and become flea larvae. The larvae make up 35% of the flea population and are about 1/4 inch long. They eat the pre-digested blood of adult fleas, or "flea dirt" as it's called. Another name for flea dirt is flea poop (gross, right!). In 5-20 days the larvae spin silken cocoons and go into the pupae stage. This stage makes up 10% of the flea population. In this stage fleas are well protected. Prevention generally won't touch them and if environmental conditions aren't right they can be protected for months up to years. This is commonly why people moving into a new home will experience a flea infestation.  Flea pupae will lay dormant and emerge when they sense the body heat of pets or humans, the rise in carbon dioxide from breathing, and the vibration from the movement in the home.  When they emerge they are hungry and will begin to bite anyone nearby! The last stage is the adult flea and this is the stage that owners often see the most.  Adult fleas make up only 5% of the total flea population. This is the tip of the iceberg when it comes to fleas.
Myth: I don't need Heartworm prevention since my pet has always tested negative.
​BUSTED: The importance of an annual heartworm test cannot be stressed enough! Heartworm disease causes permanent damage to the heart and surrounding vessels. Dogs have died from as few as one heartworm becoming stuck in the chambers of the heart. The valves are forced open and the heart cannot pump blood properly in the body. One veterinarian even conducted his own study by following up on  a patient of his. The dog was treated for heartworms when he was 2 years old. He was a stray that was adopted and kept on heartworm prevention every 30 days after heartworm treatment. When the dog  passed away at the age of 15 from natural causes, the veterinarian received permission from the owner to evaluate the heart to see what the longterm effects of heartworm disease was.  What he found was very surprising. The veterinarian  found evidence of worm pieces still in the heart and the surrounding vessels had a cobble-stone appearance (normally this area is smooth). Remember all of this is 12 years after treatment on a dog who faithfully received preventative every 30 days. This shows that treatment isn't a simple matter and that preventative is a much easier option. Heartworm tests done annually will ensure that the preventative is working properly and that further damage can't be done if a dog is heartworm positive. The tests we use in the clinic will also test for tick-borne diseases that owners can get as well.
Hopefully this edition of Hillside Mythbusters has helped to clear up some myths surrounding prevention of fleas, ticks, and heartworms. I also hope you have learned something along the way and can better understand the diseases and pests we are fighting everyday with our patients and their owners.  Finally, if there are any myths or topics you wish to learn about please let us know! Until next time enjoy the company of your furry friends and not the several thousand guests that want to make your home theirs!     

​Hillside Mythbusters: Food Edition
by Matthew Lang R.V.T.


Myth: The Ingredient list is the best way to pick a pet food.

BUSTED: While it is tempting to buy a pet food with a lot of fancy ingredients, you must remember that animals need nutrients not ingredients. Nutrients are the vitamins and minerals that are vital to your pet's health.  Ingredients are also listed by weight with the heaviest ingredients at the top and lighter ones on the bottom. This often includes water content in fresh meat and vegetables. This means that these watered down ingredients may contribute less nutrients even though they make up a larger portion of the diet. Your best bet for picking a diet is to look for an AAFCO (The Association of American Feed Control Officials) Seal and to choose a diet that was tested by "Feeding Trial". This is the gold standard of nutrition testing and means that it not only follows AAFCO diet formulation guidelines, but also was fed to groups of animals and deemed safe to consume.

Myth: By Products are unhealthy and shouldn't be fed to my pet.

BUSTED: When pet owners think of by products they think of the worst possible things imaginable, such as, feet, hair, horn, snouts, tumors, feces, and feathers. The truth is none of these things make it into your pet's food! What is really in animal by products are organ meat, blood, and sometimes ground bone. To most owners these still sound like disgusting items, but to your pet they are both delicious and nutritious. They provide vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients vital to your pet's health. Also you may be eating by products already and not realizing it if you eat anything with gelatin (which comes from cow collagen). So remember, "There's always room for cow collagen"! (Not as catchy as the original, but more accurate).

Myth: Corn is bad for my pet and is just filler.

BUSTED: Corn has become one of the most persecuted grains (not the G-word! more on that later) in pet foods and it is time to stand up for this amazing little guy! First of all, filler is defined as something added that has no purpose or in the case of food no nutritional value. This is far from true! Corn is actually a highly digestible grain (Oh, there it is again!) that is a great source of  protein, fat, and fiber. Also when corn is harvested for pet food the healthiest part of the kernel goes into....your pets food and humans are left with the syrupy substance known as high fructose corn syrup.

Myth: Grains are bad for animals.

BUSTED: As I alluded to in the previous myth, grains also receive a bad rap. Owners often believe they are just filler or cause allergies. While some grains may cause allergies, it isn't as common as allergies to protein sources. Proteins are large molecules and in some animals it can trigger an allergic reaction. Grains can be a nutritious part of your pet's diet. Does that mean  grain-free diets are bad? No, they just have to be fed with caution since they are often higher in fat and can cause weight gain.

Myth:  If a pet food label says it has chicken/beef, ect... the majority of the diet has that protein source.

PLAUSIBLE: When it comes to pet food labels you often have to read them very carefully since the wording makes all of the difference as to the percentage of a protein source is actually in a diet. Hopefully this guide will help to show how much protein is really in your pet's diet.
Chicken, Beef, Lamb...etc....
If a package says Chicken, Beef, or any other protein source it must contain at least 70% or more of that protein source. This is on an as fed basis once water is removed from that protein source.
Chicken, Beef, Lamb...etc.. "Dinner"
These foods will have 25% or more of that protein source and water is included when weighing that protein source before it is added.
Chicken, Beef, Lamb...etc.... "Platter" or "Entree"
These foods will have at least 3% of the labeled protein source.
Chicken, Beef, Lamb...etc...."Flavor"
These food will have less than 3% of the labeled protein source.

 Myth: I should feed an organic, natural, holistic diet
PLAUSIBLE : Of the three words I just used, only two really carry a legal definition. Organic diets meet regulation established by the USDA to certify them organic. Natural diets are diets made without any synthesized ingredients meaning all of the ingredients come from nature. Holistic ,on the other hand, has no legal definition. The same goes for labels such as "Human-grade" and "Premium". These are all marketing terms. Before you let that get you down, remember you can use these for anything! You can drive to work in your "premium" car that you filled with "holistic" gas.


I hope that these myths help educate, inform, and entertain.  It is getting harder and harder to select the proper diet for pets with all of the growing number of new diets added to the diets that are already on the market. I hope this was a fun and easy way to learn about proper diet selection and as always feel free to call the clinic. I also hope we can do more "Mythbuster" segments in the future and look forward to any and all suggestions! Until then have a "premium" day!

--Jayme, Hillside Veterinary Technician

Have you ever found yourself in a vet clinic in pure shock? That’s exactly where I found myself one afternoon. I brought my dog, Woodrow, in for an examination because he got into the trash can and was experiencing vomiting and diarrhea. I fully expected him to have what we refer to in the veterinary world as “garbage gut”. I already had in my mind that we would probably do some fluid therapy, medications to help his gut, and a bland diet. Boy was I ever wrong. Upon palpation, Dr. Betsy felt “something” in his abdomen, and told me we needed to obtain radiographs for further evaluation of his abdominal cavity. I immediately thought, “Great, I sure hope he does not have a foreign body!”. The first radiograph flashed upon the screen. Having been in this field for quite some time, I knew what I saw was not good. His spleen was very large, and there was also a mass. Often, these masses we find on the spleen are usually not good news, they are aggressive tumors, and many times they rupture and the patient bleeds internally. On the inside, I was devastated and on the verge of tears.  
I pushed through, and completed his radiographs. We radiographed his abdominal cavity and his thoracic (chest) cavity. Thoracic radiographs were needed in this situation because of the likeliness that the tumor was malignant. These radiographs allow us to verify if there is any evidence of metastasis (malignant growth secondary to the primary source). Happily, there was no evidence of growths in his chest.
We then switched gears, and prepared Woodrow for an abdominal ultrasound. Due to the highly vascular nature of these tumors on the spleen, we needed to check for any bleeding coming from the tumor. We scanned his abdomen, and there was not any evidence of active bleeding- which was great news! You see, if there was active bleeding, and the tumor turned out to be malignant, all those cancer cells were now spread all over his abdominal cavity. This would make his prognosis very grim, and would also make it an emergent situation for Woodrow’s life.
Still in a state of shock, we collected all the necessary blood work to prepare him for surgery the next morning. Woodrow needed a splenectomy. I was still processing all of this. I thought I would just be giving my dog some medications, bland diet, and fluids. Instead, I was preparing my senior dog, my best friend, for major surgery the next morning.

Things That Go Bump in the Night
Has this situation ever happened to you? It's a quiet night at home when suddenly your dog starts panting, drooling, and whining. He/she starts pacing around the house, looking for a place to hide. You wonder what is going on. A few minutes later you hear the first rumble of thunder. As the storm rages, you try to comfort your dog. Despite your efforts, he/she is visibly shaken and in distress. Even after the storm has passed, your dog has a difficult time settling down. Unfortunately, this is a common occurrence in many households.

Studies have shown that at least 30% of all dogs suffer from some level of noise aversion, but only 40% of pet parents seek help from their veterinarian. The fear can be directed towards storms, fireworks, or any other loud and sudden noise. It can range anywhere from mild anxiety to an extreme phobia in which they become destructive of their surroundings. Most pet parents do their best to comfort their dogs during these events, offering over the counter calming devices and treats. While this is a great start, in many cases these alone are not enough to help ease their pet's anxiety.

Environmental Enrichment and Training
One of the most important things you can do is provide a safe place for your pet to retreat to during these times of stress. This could be a closet, bathroom, basement, or wherever he/she feels comfortable. If the area has a window, draw the curtains or blinds to help block the flash of light which is a predictor of the scary sound that follows. Turn the lights on in the room, making the sudden flash of lightning or fireworks less startling. Providing white noise, such as a fan, or music will aid in drowning out the scary sounds. If using music, play songs that have a have strong bass beat as they tend to mask the noises more effectively. Place soft bedding on the floor and bring in toys to make it a more inviting space. Prior to any stressful event, you can help your dog make positive associations with the space by playing or feeding occasional meals in the area. The goal is to teach them that it is a happy and safe place to go to when things become stressful.

Training your dog to relax is also very beneficial. There are many ways to do this, so having professional guidance will set you up for success. An excellent training tool is Through A Dog's Ear. This is a series of CDs that are tailored to specific sounds your pet may be fearful of. They aid in desensitizing your dog to these noises by presenting the scary sound at a very low decibel, then slowly increasing in volume. All the while you are teaching your dog to remain calm and focused on you. This series includes a training guide full of helpful tips. You can find Through A Dog's Ear at positively.com.

Natural and Over the Counter Products
Once the safe place has been established, adding over the counter products can help relax your pet. Thundershirts are an excellent option. This compression vest applies gentle pressure in key places which in turn releases endorphins. The physiological response to these endorphins is relaxation. We encourage our clients to buy the Thundershirt brand name, as opposed to similar products, for several reasons. First, they offer a money back guarantee. If you do not feel it works for your pet, you will receive a full refund. Second, the company donates all returned shirts to shelter pets across the country. Another product proven to reduce anxiety in animals, as well as people, is Lavender. Diffusing pure lavender oil or placing a few drops on the bedding or a Thundershirt can be beneficial. Adaptil, a pheromone product, can also be very useful in decreasing anxiety in dogs. Pheromones are naturally occurring substances in the body that promote relaxation. Adaptil is available in three forms: a spray, a collar, and a plug in diffuser. Calming treats are beneficial because they contain Chamomile, L-Tryptophan, and/or L-Theanine (a green tea extract). These naturally occurring substances also have been proven to help increase relaxation. Many dogs need multiple products to be able to cope with stressful events. In severe cases, dogs will need pharmacological help in addition to these over the counter products. 


The Science of Stress and How Medications Can Help
When exposed to a stressful stimuli, neurons in the brain are activated. Cortisol, commonly referred to as a stress hormone, is released into the body causing blood flow to be shifted to the vital organs. The instincts of fight or flight will kick in as the brain determines the severity of the situation. When they are repeatedly exposed to a stressful stimuli, neurons fire at an abnormally high rate and can remain in that state even after the stimuli is no longer present. Cortisol levels increase over 200% and can stay elevated for at least 40 minutes after the stressful event has passed. This only reinforces your pet's fear. Fortunately, your veterinarian can help. There is a product that is the first and only FDA approved medication to treat this fear called Sileo. It is a very low dose of a commonly used sedative in veterinary medicine that blocks the neurons from firing. It is easy to administer and starts working in about 10-20 minutes. Other medications can also aid in helping your pet relax. Many of these are classified as anxiolytics, meaning their purpose is to reduce anxiety. These products are available through your veterinarian. It is important to have your pet examined and weighed regularly to be sure any medications your are administering are effective and dosed properly. 

At Hillside Animal Hospital, we are devoted to your pet's physical as well as mental health.  If your pet suffers from any form of anxiety, we encourage you to contact us at 314-645-2141. I am happy to provide consultations in which we can discuss your concerns about your pet's behavior. If needed, we can refer you to excellent trainers as well as a veterinary behavior specialist. Along with our veterinarians, we can devise a plan tailored to your pet's individual needs. Call us today!

Carolyn, RVT, Fear Free Certified Professional