The Roanoker - March/April 2020 - 80

ASK THE
EXPERTS
Q: How do you handle
vet visits for pets that are
stressed by the experience?

A: We get it. Not all pets love coming
to the vet. But we can help make the
experience as easy as possible. Start with
a drop-in visit; bring your pet in to say
"hi," get a treat and maybe stand on the
scale. We can also perform examinations
outside or even bring our mobile clinic
to you. Some pets need a little more help.
Ask about "happy medications," which
are safe, effective and can help calm your
pet for short periods.
Steve Karras, DVM
Cave Spring Veterinary Clinic
540-989-8582
Cavespringvet.com

Q: How do I know if I'm having
an emergency?
A: There are many conditions that cannot
wait until the next day. Some of these
include: severe bleeding or bleeding that
doesn't stop within 10 minutes of direct
pressure; choking, difficulty breathing or
nonstop coughing and gagging; bleeding
from nose, mouth, rectum, coughing up
blood, or blood in urine; seizures and/
or staggering; obvious signs of pain or
extreme anxiety; refusal to drink for 24
hours or more; and/or unconsciousness.
Call your regular veterinarian or the
emergency clinic to see if we can help. 

Q: What is positive
reinforcement dog training?

Positive reinforcement involves
a reinforcing stimulus following a
behavior. When a favorable outcome,
event, or reward occurs after an action,
that particular response or behavior
will be strengthened. So, instead of just
correcting a dog's undesired behavior,
we teach the dog what we want him or
her to do instead. Then we reinforce that
behavior. Dogs do not know what we
want them to do. It is our responsibility
to teach them. Learning should be
enjoyable and feel safe, so our dogs enjoy
working with us. Methods that inflict
any kind of discomfort or fear should not
be used. Take the time and teach your
dog the proper, humane way. It works!
Hope Cogen, Owner/Trainer
High Hopes Dog Training
540-343-3849
High-hopes.net

Q: Why can't my dog lose
weight?

A: Weight loss can be frustrating for
all species! When it comes to our pets,
we must look at all the factors that can
contribute to obesity. Is your pet on
the right type of pet food and are you
feeding the right amount? Is your pet
receiving "treats?" If so, what kind and
how many? The little dog biscuits you
give throughout the day may not seem
like much but they can add up to a lot of
extra calories, especially to the smaller
breeds of dogs. Does your dog get much
exercise or is the trip from the couch
to the food bowl the extent of their
activity? Lastly, there can be underlying
diseases than can contribute to weight
gain as well, such as hypothyroidism.
As veterinarians, it is our job to help you
evaluate all these factors so that we can
work together to try make your pet as
healthy as possible!
Richard A. Bryant, DVM, CCRP
Salem Animal Hospital
540-380-4638
Salemanimalhospital.com

Q: What are Paw Plans and
why are they important?

A: Vinton Vet offers 12 different Wellness
Packages to provide wellness care
services, diagnostics and surgical
services to any patient whether a puppy/
kitten, adult or senior! We offer unlimited
examinations with gold standard
diagnostics, even dental packages,
juvenile and adult spay and neuter! These
services are offered at a substantial
discount when enrolled in our Paw Plans. 
Dr. Courtney Wiegard
Vinton Veterinary Hospital
540-627-5118
Vintonvet.com

Maureen Noftsinger, DVM
Emergency Veterinary & Specialty
Services of Roanoke
540-563-8575
Emergencyvetservices.net

80

MARCH/APRIL 2020

TheRoanoker.com
http://www.Salemanimalhospital.com http://www.Cavespringvet.com http://www.high-hopes.net http://www.Vintonvet.com http://www.Emergencyvetservices.net http://www.TheRoanoker.com
The Roanoker - March/April 2020

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