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May 19
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Grief Counseling

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WHAT IS GRIEF?

Grief is a healthy and normal response to loss. Attempting to suppress grief can actually prolong the grieving process. Grief can feel like being lost. The familiar things we relied on to live each day are gone. It is also common to replay the last moments of your beloved pet’s life repeatedly in your mind.

No one can provide a magic cure for grief. When grief is new, it is common to feel exhausted: physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Changes in appetite, sleeping patterns, or health are frequently reported. Those who are grieving often describe feelings of being out of control, isolation, and loneliness. Things that seemed so important before may now seem trivial. Others may experience a sense of “life isn’t fair” or being in a tunnel or fog. All of these feelings are normal and part of the grieving process, which follows no organized plan or schedule. Don’t be surprised if you start to feel better, and then feel as if a wave has hit you. There will be ups and downs in the process of grieving.

The purpose of healthy grieving is not to “get over” the death of a loved one, but to integrate the experience of a pet’s death into present life. In this process, it is not unusual for certain memories of your beloved pet to become blurred. This does not mean that you are forgetting your best friend or that your love is diminished. The truth is, you will ALWAYS love this very special member of your family. The hope is that as time goes on, the feelings of sadness will become less difficult. Eventually, the hope is that you will be able to talk and even smile or laugh at good memories.

Consider speaking to your doctor or a mental health professional if these symptoms continue for more than a year after your beloved pet’s passing.

We also have books that we can give you that  HELPS YOU PREPARE FOR THE LOSS OF YOUR PET or another one that helps you COPE WITH THE LOSS OF YOUR PET. In this book there are also tips on dealing with guilt, how to help children grieve and how to celebrate or honor your pet. 

A good resource for pet loss and grieving we recommend going to www.pettrust.ca/petlossresources

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May 19
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Behavioral Counseling

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The best way to avoid problem behaviours in pets is to prevent them from happening. This starts with research on the behalf of the owner to ensure that the pet species and breed is appropriate for that owner’s lifestyle, size of property, size and type or home, family size and type, work life balance, travel needs, neighbourhood bylaws and noise issues, etc. It continues with socialization. This is a term used to describe the experiences that a young kitten or puppy are exposed to at appropriate stages of life and includes (but is not limited to) :

  • proper weaning
  • proper introduction to existing household pets and family members
  • proper introduction to friends, neighbours, strangers
  • proper introduction to other dogs
  • not having too many cats in one household
  • housetraining
  • puppy training and socialization classes
  • proper indoor enrichment
  • introduction to veterinary care, grooming, boarding, and other pet care industry situations
  • seeking professional training advice as indicated

This means also means spaying and neutering your pets at the proper time.

Avoiding behavioural issues requires more than simply tender loving care. Avoiding behaviour problems and raising happy, healthy pets requires identifying and addressing specific needs that each individual pet has. This can best be accomplished by booking new pet exams ASAP and/or even considering consulting a veterinarian before you adopt a pet.

If you’re concerned about or bothered by an aspect of your pet’s behaviour, we can help. Our staff can work with you and your pet to stop or change the behaviour. Many aggressive, fearful, or inappropriate behaviours in dogs and cats can be modified through a combination of desensitization and counter-conditioning. These techniques can have dramatic results when applied properly. In some cases, medication can also help. We also work with local expert trainers and will refer cases as necessary. Contact us for an appointment at (519) 472-3770 if you’d like to consult with our staff.

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May 18
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Microchip Pet Identification

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Imagine if your dog or cat got lost. You’d want to give him or her the best chance of getting home. With microchipping, you can.

Microchipping is a safe, permanent way to identify your pet in case he or she becomes lost. A microchip, which is a tiny device about the size and shape of a grain of rice, is placed just under the loose skin at the back of the neck. When a lost dog or cat without an ID tag is found, a veterinarian or veterinary technician will use a handheld microchip scanner to check for a chip. If the pet has one, it will transmit its ID number to the scanner via a low-frequency radio wave. The veterinary hospital or shelter then calls the chip manufacturer, retrieves the pet owner’s contact information, and calls the owner.

Even the most responsible pet owners can’t always guarantee their pet won’t get lost. A leash could break or slip out of your hand, a pet could push through a screen door or window, or a contractor or friend might accidentally leave a door or gate open.

We recommend that you use a microchip, along with a collar and ID tag, to identify your pet. An ID tag is still a reliable identification method. Pets that have tags with current contact information are more likely to not end up in shelters and tend to get home faster than those without tags. However, collars and ID tags aren’t permanent and can be removed (overnight or for grooming); pets can also lose them. With a microchip, your pet will have a much better chance of being identified and returned to you. Pets without microchips that end up in shelters may be adopted out to another family or even euthanized.

Please contact us at (519) 472-3770 to schedule an appointment to microchip your pet. Although we hope your pet never becomes lost, we want you to be prepared. We can also suggest a plan to have in place so if your pet does go missing, you’ll be able to act quickly.

Byron Animal Clinic