The Roanoker March/April 2022 - 79

ASK THE PET EXPERTS
Q: WHAT QUESTIONS SHOULD I ASK
WHEN CHOOSING A DOGGIE DAYCARE /
BOARDING ESTABLISHMENT?
As parents, we are very careful when it comes
to picking a daycare for our human children.
Don't hesitate to ask lots of questions before
choosing the right place for your pups as well.
Some basic questions to consider are: What
are your vaccine requirements? Are the dogs
in playgroup separated according to size and
energy level? Are the dogs supervised at all
times? What is the maximum dog to staff
ratio? What are the cleaning/disinfecting
protocols? Are staff members trained in CPR
and first aid? Is there a fire monitoring system?
What is the policy if my dog becomes ill? We,
at City Dogs, encourage drop-in tours and are
happy to answer any questions. Come meet us
and see if we might be a good fit for your pups.
Lynda R. Knezovich, Owner
City Dogs Boarding & Playcare
(540) 206-3299; Citydogsroanoke.com
Q: WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO TRAIN A
DOG?
Dogs are not mind readers! They do not
know what we want them to do, so it is
our responsibility to teach them. Learning
should feel safe and enjoyable, so our dogs
like working with us. Positive reinforcement
is a science-based method of teaching which
involves reinforcing behaviors. When a dog
demonstrates a desired behavior, we reinforce
that behavior with something that the dog
views as good - a treat, a toy, a belly rub, etc.
Instead of simply punishing a behavior we
do not like, we teach our dog what we want
him or her to do instead. This way, learning
is fun and helps us bond with our dogs.
Training methods that rely on inflicting pain
or discomfort should not be used. Take the
time to teach your dog the proper, humane
way. It works!
Hope Cogen, Owner
High Hopes Dog Training
(540) 343-3849; High-hopes.net
Q: HOW CAN I MAXIMIZE PLAYTIME
WITH A NEW KITTEN?
Playing allows cats to satisfy innate hunting
instincts. Playtime is more fun for your kitten
when you control the toy. Your frisky pet will
have to focus to track where her 'prey' will
go next. This offers her beneficial mental
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stimulation. It's also a great confidence
booster! Remember that kittens tend to
gravitate towards things that aren't safe, so
keep a close eye out. Don't let her play with
anything that could be dangerous, such as
small or sharp objects, plastic wraps and
anything with dangling threads.
Dr. Michelle Spangler
Old Dominion Veterinary Clinic
(540) 966-1992
Olddominionveterinaryclinic.com
Q: WHAT SETS PAWSOME PET SITTING
APART FROM OTHER PET SITTERS?
Our tag line is a core value, " caring for your
babies when you can't. " Our love for the
animals shines through in everything we do.
We establish a true relationship with each
client so that when we come into their home
they know we are there only for them.
We pride ourselves on being able to take
care of issues as they arise. We've fixed fences
damaged in storms so that the dogs don't
get out or hurt. We have shown up during
emergencies so that our clients don't have to
worry about what to do with their fur-babies.
We've also been known to help reinforce
behaviors the pet has been taught, such as
sit and lay down, recall, not counter surfing
and not jumping on people. We help you make
your pet's life as good as it should be.
We go way beyond taking care of just cats
and dogs. We've also cared for turtles, fish,
birds, ducks, snakes and lizards. We never
charge more for multiple pets. If you have a
pet that needs care, we're there to help.
Steve and Linda Boehlen, Owners
Pawsome Pet Sitting VA
Steve: (540) 892-1288
Linda: (920) 217-1532
pawsomepetsittingva@gmail.com
Q: HOW COULD ACUPUNCTURE BENEFIT
MY PET?
Acupuncture can help all different animals with
many different conditions. The most common
of those conditions are arthritis, slipped disks
and ligament tears. We have seen tremendous
success in using acupuncture with arthritic
pets to the point that we can lower or in
some cases even discontinue their oral pain
medications. It is a wonderful treatment to use
to control pain following surgery and it even
helps with constipation in bearded dragons.
Pets who receive acupuncture tolerate the
Dr. Kaitlyn McBane
Pet Vet Roanoke
(540) 904-2229; petvetroanoke.com
Q: WHY SHOULD MY PET BE EXAMINED
EVERY YEAR, EVEN WHEN THEY SEEM
HEALTHY?
Animals, unlike people, routinely hide
symptoms of illness until it becomes severe.
Therefore, annual or bi-annual exams, as
well as yearly wellness blood panels, allows
our team of veterinarians at Roanoke Animal
Hospital to identify problems or conditions in
your pet early. By identifying these conditions
earlier, our team is often able to address
and sometimes correct the problem before it
develops into a life threatening condition or
situation. By examining your pet regularly and
performing wellness blood panels yearly, we
are able to help your pet live a longer, healthier
life with you and your family.
Dr. Thomas Blaszak
Roanoke Animal Hospital
(540) 343-8021
roanokeanimalhospitalva.com
Q: HOW IS ENDOSCOPY USED WITH
PETS?
Endoscopy is a minimally invasive way for us
to be able to evaluate issues with pets that
would otherwise require more invasive and
more expensive/less accessible options such as
surgery, CT scans and MRIs. With endoscopy
we are able to evaluate the stomach lining,
intestines, retrieve foreign materials and
biopsy without surgery. We are also able to
look at some areas that we wouldn't be able to
see even through surgery such as the back of
the mouth, nose and throat. The view we have
through endoscopy is magnified which makes
evaluating more thorough and accurate. It is
a great option for pets since it is less invasive
and for their owners since they don't have
to manage the pet's recovery from a more
invasive procedure.
Dr. Courtney Wiegard
Vinton Veterinary Hospital
(540) 627-5118; Vintonvet.com
MARCH/APRIL 2022 79
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CONTENT
procedure very well and typically receive
special treats like frozen baby food during the
treatment. There are some animals who show
signs of looking forward to appointments by
standing by the door and wagging their tail
when their owners get them ready to go.
http://www.petvetroanoke.com http://www.olddominionveterinaryclinic.com/ http://www.Olddominionveterinaryclinic.com http://www.Citydogsroanoke.com http://www.roanokeanimalhospital.com http://www.gottrust.org/ppsva http://www.High-hopes.net http://www.Vintonvet.com http://www.TheRoanoker.com
The Roanoker March/April 2022

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