New baby, meet furry friend!

Congratulations, it’s a boy! Or maybe a girl? No matter, you are expecting a baby and that is exciting!

From the moment you find out you are going to be parent, the planning begins. Diapers, bottles, crib…check. Delivery bag, strollers, pacifiers…check that off too. But in the exciting chaos of having a baby, one key thing seems to become overlooked on that checklist-your first baby (you know, that fluffy thing that sleeps at the end of your bed)?

That’s right, the family pet becomes lost in the shuffle. Sure, they get fed and walked. They are loved no less and you remain a tremendous pet parent, but have you prepared THEM for the change that is about to occur? They’ve watched as there has been a little less room on mom’s lap nowadays and many can sense that something is different. Yet, as you know, a baby is a BIG deal.

What happens when it is time to bring your precious gift home? Will your dog (or cat for that matter) care that there is a crying, pooping, attention-seeking machine in the house now?

Unfortunately, without a game plan before the big arrival, your furry friend may not have a chance. Many pets are surrendered to shelters because they just can’t seem to behave around the new addition. It could just be as simple as stealing the baby’s pacifier (which we promise makes for some pretty hilarious photos) or it could be much more serious.

Put your mind at ease and protect your family by creating a strategy to help your pet understand what is occurring. Here are a few simple steps to get you started-

1. Prepare the nursery- you’ve probably already begun the process of assembling the furniture like a crib. But make your pet a part of the process. Let them explore the room and all of the new sights.
2. Create a safe place- it’s not a surprise, but babies can be loud. Give your pet a place in a quiet area of the house to relax and get some rest. Create a comfy bed or crate that is their very own.
3. Introduce new smells-one of the ways to introduce a baby without the risk, is to introduce just their smell. After the baby is delivered, have a family member bag and seal the first set of clothing and bring it home from the hospital. Open the bag for your pet to sniff and explore. This will make them more prepared for what is to come in the days ahead.
4. Meet and greet- take introductions slowly! ALWAYS be present when your pet is around your baby. This ensures that there are no accidents. Watch your pet’s body language carefully and assess how comfortable they are. Reward good behavior and give them praise after meeting the baby.
5. Give them attention-the baby is going to take up much of your time, but don’t forget about pet. Take time to throw a ball or pet them. Maybe even take the baby for a walk in the stroller and have your pet tag along
6. Give them their own toys-many of the baby’s new things are going to be intriguing to your pet. Keep your pet’s interest by giving them their own foods and treats. If your pet does decide to take the baby’s belongings, replace the item with a more appropriate toy. By teaching your pet early on, problems with sharing later down the road will be diminished.
   7.  Growing up pet friendly - while much of the expectation is placed on the pet to accept the new change, that does not mean that you should not also teach your child.  Show them how to respect the pet's space.  Pets may lash out when fur is pulled or a child is in their face, and guess what...it's not their fault.  They are not trying to be mean; they are simply trying to tell the child what is acceptable. 
   
   You love your pet and your soon-to-be baby. There is no question that you want to do what is best by both of them. Help each acclimate to the other and problems CAN be prevented. Again, congratulations on the new baby!
   
   

Sign Up for Vet Camp at Indiana State Fair

The dream of being a veterinarian is something that lives in the hearts of many children. Certainly there is no doubt why that is- the ANIMALS. Toddlers and tykes tote around bandages, wielding them as the cure to any of their stuffed animals’ ailments and yet, somewhere along the way, that dream disappears to nostalgia. Maybe something else captures our attention or, unfortunately, we never get the chance to ever even live out that aspiration.

But for today’s children and teens there is hope. There are opportunities to live out their dream and build upon their ambition. The Indiana State Fair is host to a veterinary camp for grades 6-12. Split into a senior (grades 9-12) and junior camp (grades 6-8), students will be able to experience what a veterinarian does. Hands-on sessions include CPR, microscope identification, suturing, and radiographs (x-rays). Plus, there are going to be live spay and neuter demonstrations going on throughout the week.

Make sure to sign up before registration closes on July 20^th! The Junior Vet Camp is available on August 7, 8, 9, 15, 16, and 22nd from 8:30 am – 12 pm as well as August 10, 12, 14, 18, and 20^th from 4:00 pm- 7:30 pm. The Senior Vet Camp is available on August 7, 8, 9, 15, 16, and 22^nd from 12:30 pm- 4:00pm in addition to August 11, 13, 17, 19, and 21^st from 4:00 pm-7:30 pm. The cost is $25, which includes a t-shirt.

The camp is hosted by Purdue’s College of Veterinary Medicine and veterinary students will be there to guide your child as they explore the veterinary field in an unforgettable experience. Registration information can be found here.

If you or your younger children want the chance to experience veterinary medicine as well, don’t worry- Purdue’s College of Veterinary Medicine and the Indiana Veterinary Medical Association are sponsoring a public tent. There will be plenty of activities to be had!

Taking the Stress Out of Fireworks

Bing, Bang, Boom! It’s that time of year again. That’s right-FIREWORKS! 

     July comes in with an explosion of dazzling lights that is sure to bring out your Patriotic spirit as well as that twinkle in your eye. Now, go ahead, cue the ooh’s and aww’s. But it’s no secret, dogs HATE fireworks-well at least some dogs anyways. Yet, if you are the owner of one of those “some,” then you have experienced the shaking, panting, puddle that was once your best friend.

But what in the world can you do? Here is your dog, feeling like they are serving a tour in a war, and no amount of coddling seems to help. At this point, you are stressed. You suffer through the lack of sleep, partially due to the concern you feel, but MOSTLY because it is impossible to drown out the perpetual panting and restlessness.  It’s enough to ruin the Independence Day celebration and make you wish fireworks were outlawed. Who needs sparklers and a grand finale anyways?

The answer- you do! The 4^th of July is fundamental to our nation and serves to bring friends, family, and Americans together. Don’t deprive yourself of basking in the red, white, and blue. It’s time- it’s time to get freedom for you AND your pet! Here are the top ways to ease the firework stress:

 First and foremost-PLAN AHEAD! You know it’s going to happen. You were able to breathe easy all the way through December, but its July now.  Plus, you’ve probably already tried comforting your pet during the show. Did it work? If so, great! If it didn’t, it’s not your fault. Despite the fact that you care so much, your dog is already worked up. So start by-

1.       Desensitizing your pet to noise- perhaps try using a CD of firework sounds before the season even starts. Play it softly and reward your dog for ignoring the noise. Make it a positive experience instead of negative.

2.       Microchip your pet- the number of lost pets spikes around the 4^th of July. In a panic, dogs may try to run and if they unfortunately succeed, you will want the best chance to recover them. Microchips provide this benefit. If your dog is recovered by a stranger and brought to a local veterinary hospital or shelter, your information will be scanned. How do you get a microchip? Well, it’s easy. Just visit your veterinarian and they can chip your dog quickly and easily.

3.       Prepare the house- many dogs when they are frightened may attempt to destroy personal belongings and furniture. Remove anything that your pet may be able to ingest or destroy. This prevents the heartbreak of finding toilet paper skewed throughout the house and your favorite pair of socks in your dog’s small intestine. In addition, leave lights on and cover the windows before the fireworks start. This helps to limit the fear associated with the flashing.

4.       Create a Safe Place- Stories of dogs hiding behind toilets and under the sofa are all too familiar, so give them a designated place where they feel safe. This could be a crate with a blanket over top or a bed down the basement. Any number of places will work, just find one that works best for your dog.

5.       Ask Your Veterinarian about Medical Intervention-Veterinarians have an entire toolbox of ways to help your pet. When appropriate, they may be able to prescribe medications. Ask your veterinarian about the difference between sedation and anxiety medication and what might be best for your pet. This may just be the #1 way you can truly help your pet. Just make sure to follow your veterinarian’s instructions and give the medication before the fireworks start so it has a chance to take effect.

Now that you have done the prep work, it’s time to help your pet out during the fireworks.

6.       Play Background Noise- soft music or the television can help to lessen the noise impact of the fireworks.

7.       Have Someone Keep an Eye on Them-Hire a dog sitter if needed. The important thing is that your pet feels secure and protected. Having someone around also ensures that they don’t hurt themselves or your belongings.

8.       Keep Them Busy-Does your dog have a favorite toy to keep them busy? Kongs and other hard rubber toys that can be filled with food like peanut butter can help to distract your pet from what is occurring outside. You may also be able to use ice cubes to the same effect.

9.       Finally Take a Breath- Being stressed out only feeds into your dog’s anxiety.

Follow these steps, especially number five (hint, hint) and go enjoy the holiday! And from all of us here at the IVMA, we wish you a happy 4^th of July!