Cherokee Animal Clinic

11/13/2023

AN URGENT SAFETY MESSAGE FOR OUR AUDUBON AND CHEROKEE CLIENTS:
VICTOR 'SUPER PREMIUM' DOG ND CAT FOODS HAVE BEEN RECALLED DUE TO RISK OF SALMONELLA CONTAMINATION.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has informed us that the product listed above may not meet current mandatory or voluntary safety standards.

If you feed your pets Victor brand pet food - check the best-buy date on the top of the bag. Best-Buy dates prior to 10.31.24 should be disposed of immediately.

More details, including what you should do and where you can seek assistance, can be found in the following notification: https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/mid-america-pet-food-expands-voluntary-recall-include-additional-dog-and-cat-food-products-due.

Mid America Pet Food, Mount Pleasant, Texas, is expanding its October 30, 2023, voluntary recall to include additional pet food products, with Best By Dates before 10/31/24, made at its Mount Pleasant facility, due to the products’ potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Salmonella can affec...

06/28/2023

WHERE ARE THE DOG FRIENDLY PUBS IN LOUISVILLE?
Independence Day is right around the corner, and many people will be taking advantage of an extra long weekend in advance of the 4th.
Our Louisville-area restaurants offer lots of options for outdoor dining and chillin' - including many pet-friendly locations.

JUST A REMINDER - BE SURE YOUR PET IS WELL-PROTECTED AGAINST CANINE 'SOCIAL DISEASES' BY KEEPING VACCINATIONS UP-TO-DATE.

Before heading to one of these pet-friendly spots, check with the management to be sure you are aware of any special requirements.

Check out the Do502 website for a full list of Dog-Friendly Restaurants in Louisville, KY:
Juliette Grace
7:31 AM (1 hour ago)
to me

When the Kentuckiana weather cooperates, there's nothing better than being able to enjoy an adult beverage on the patio somewhere with your pooch by your side. So we've rounded up a list of places that are dog-friendly in and around Louisville. Some places

05/22/2023

NEW PUPPY 101: How to Start Things Right

With Summer right around the corner, many people choose this time to bring a new puppy into their home.

So, this is a good time for a 'Beginner' puppy class for new pet parents and a refresher course for you if you haven't had a puppy in awhile.

CRATE FIRST: The first day with your new puppy will involve traveling, whether it’s a short distance from the shelter or a local breeder or a long ride in a car or the cabin of a plane. This is the perfect opportunity to start teaching your puppy to love his crate.

Be sure it’s well stocked with treats and, if possible, a towel or T-shirt that bears the scent of his mother and littermates. That will go a long way toward making him comfortable in his new surroundings.

POTTY BREAK: When you arrive, make sure he potties before you bring him indoors. Praise him and give him a treat when he does. Keep him on leash inside, — free run of the house is still far in his future. To busy to keep watch? In the crate he goes. (Audubon and Cherokee have short, light-weight leashes which are perfect for leash-training your baby)

REST BREAK: Let your puppy spend a short amount of time in his crate. This is a big day for him, and he needs some time to himself, so he can process his new situation. It’s okay to have the crate in the living room or some other area in the home where people are coming and going, but don’t bug him while he’s in there. Unless he needs to go potty, walk away calmly if he starts to whine or bark. Don’t let him out until he’s being quiet.

POTTY BREAK: Remember that puppies don’t have good bladder or sphincter control yet, and excitement can make them need to p*e or poo. Take your puppy out to potty after 15 to 20 minutes of play, as well as after every meal, and first thing out of his crate. A potty run should be the first thing you do with him in the morning and the last thing you do with him at night.

CHECK-UP FROM THE NECK-UP, and Beyond: You’ll want to get your pup to the veterinarian within 48 hours of bringing him home. That’s important to make sure he’s in good health. Many puppy purchase contracts require an exam within that time frame as well. Without it, the seller may be unwilling to accept the pup’s return if he has a serious illness or congenital or hereditary defect.

The first visit can be strictly for a physical exam and weigh-in. It’s a good opportunity for your pup to meet some nice new people, get handled by them and get some yummy treats. Depending on when his last set of vaccinations took place, you can then schedule the next round of vaccinations.

SEVEN SUBSTRATES IN SEVEN DAYS: Most animal trainers recommend getting your puppy familiar with the world around him including the various types of ground that his feet will be touching. Some puppies have only been on grass, or concrete or flooring. It is a very good idea to introduce your puppy to all of the above, plus asphalt, carpet, linoleum and anywhere else his feet may take him..I have seen dogs that refuse to walk or potty in the grass until they become familiar with this strange new texture.

LOTS OF LOVE - If your new dog is a puppy, leaving his litter mates will be much easier if he feels safe, secure and well-loved by his new family. Let him stay with his human family until he wears himself out with play, then try short stints in his crate to avoid separation anxiety..

KEEP IT SIMPLE. KEEP IT SAFE: Training can start from the moment your puppy becomes yours. Start with simple, basic behaviors like sit, stay, down and potty. Be consistent, patient and supportive, remember, he's just a baby.

05/18/2023

Attention Audubon and Cherokee clients:
Bravecto + Sentinel Post are running a promotion: Get instant savings of up to $100 when you combine your purchase of BRAVECTO® (fluralaner) and SENTINEL® brand products. The more protection you buy, the more you save! Offer ends tomorrow (May 19), so schedule your appointment now.

06/07/2022

NEW PUPPY 101: How to Start Things Right

The adoption of new puppies from breeders, shelters and rescue organizations hit record numbers during the shelter-at-home events of COVID.

So, this is a good time for a 'Beginner' puppy class for new pet parents and a refresher course for you if you haven't had a puppy in awhile.

CRATE FIRST: The first day with your new puppy will involve traveling, whether it’s a short distance from the shelter or a local breeder or a long ride in a car or the cabin of a plane. This is the perfect opportunity to start teaching your puppy to love his crate.

Be sure it’s well stocked with treats and, if possible, a towel or T-shirt that bears the scent of his mother and littermates. That will go a long way toward making him comfortable in his new surroundings.

POTTY BREAK: When you arrive, make sure he potties before you bring him indoors. Praise him and give him a treat when he does. Keep him on leash inside, — free run of the house is still far in his future. To busy to keep watch? In the crate he goes. (Audubon and Cherokee have short, light-weight leashes which are perfect for leash-training your baby)

REST BREAK: Let your puppy spend a short amount of time in his crate. This is a big day for him, and he needs some time to himself, so he can process his new situation. It’s okay to have the crate in the living room or some other area in the home where people are coming and going, but don’t bug him while he’s in there. Unless he needs to go potty, walk away calmly if he starts to whine or bark. Don’t let him out until he’s being quiet.

POTTY BREAK: Remember that puppies don’t have good bladder or sphincter control yet, and excitement can make them need to p*e or poo. Take your puppy out to potty after 15 to 20 minutes of play, as well as after every meal, and first thing out of his crate. A potty run should be the first thing you do with him in the morning and the last thing you do with him at night.

CHECK-UP FROM THE NECK-UP, and Beyond: You’ll want to get your pup to the veterinarian within 48 hours of bringing him home. That’s important to make sure he’s in good health. Many puppy purchase contracts require an exam within that time frame as well. Without it, the seller may be unwilling to accept the pup’s return if he has a serious illness or congenital or hereditary defect.

The first visit can be strictly for a physical exam and weigh-in. It’s a good opportunity for your pup to meet some nice new people, get handled by them and get some yummy treats. Depending on when his last set of vaccinations took place, you can then schedule the next round of vaccinations.

SEVEN SUBSTRATES IN SEVEN DAYS: Most animal trainers recommend getting your puppy familiar with the world around him including the various types of ground that his feet will be touching. Some puppies have only been on grass, or concrete or flooring. It is a very good idea to introduce your puppy to all of the above, plus asphalt, carpet, linoleum and anywhere else his feet may take him..I have seen dogs that refuse to walk or potty in the grass until they become familiar with this strange new texture.

LOTS OF LOVE - If your new dog is a puppy, leaving his litter mates will be much easier if he feels safe, secure and well-loved by his new family. Let him stay with his human family until he wears himself out with play, then try short stints in his crate to avoid separation anxiety..

KEEP IT SIMPLE. KEEP IT SAFE: Training can start from the moment your puppy becomes yours. Start with simple, basic behaviors like sit, stay, down and potty. Be consistent, patient and supportive, remember, he's just a baby.

06/06/2022

DOES YOUR CAT TALK TO YOU?

Our newest kitty is quite the little chatterbox.

He has several different purrs, mews, and meows that he uses to share a variety of 'thoughts and wants'.

Since this is our first talkative kitty, I began to wonder what his intended meaning is behind all the 'chatter.'

Each cat is an individual, so the exact manner in which they communicate and share moods may be unique to them.

Just like humans, some cats 'talk' more than others. But just because you have a quiet kitty, that doesn't mean he's not communicating.

Along with a variety of vocalizations, cats use their whole body to communicate—from their tails to their ears and eyes.
And, it turns out, cats also learn to read the body language of their humans. According to BBC Earth, cats can sense our emotions by reading facial gestures and body language.

This ability to detect our feelings is believed to be something that occurs over time, in which cats essentially train themselves to associate positive things with happy facial gestures, and less rewarding things with what's perceived to be more negative signals, like crying or frowning.

In one study cited in the article, cats who witnessed happy owners wanted to spend more time around them and exhibited traits like purring or rubbing up on their legs.

This learned behavior only seems to work between cats and people with whom they share close relationships — cats are not believed to pick up on the emotional states of strangers.

While feline body language can be complicated, a few general pointers can help you decode what your cat is thinking and how they’re feeling.

04/25/2022

HOW DO DOGS KNOW WHEN STORMS ARE COMING?

Our Golden Retriever, Bonnie, has a keen sense of awareness when storms are pending. She also seems to anticipate the severity of the storm and will behave accordingly by snuggling up to 'mom and dad' or lying flat on the floor in the hallway.

How do dogs know that a storm is approaching? There are several ways dogs are more in-tune to storm indicators than we humans.

1 - Canines are more sensitive to drops in barometric pressure than humans. A drop in pressure means that a storm may develop. Typically, the larger the drop, the more severe the storm. Changes in ear pressure may cause a dog to associate this pressure drop with the arrival of a storm.

2 - Changes in the static electric field may trigger the same anticipation. Dogs may also pick up the subtle vibrations that precede a storm. A small rumble may be almost imperceptible to us, but not to a dog.

3 - Dogs can hear at much higher and lower frequencies than we do. A dog can hear a low rumble of thunder that a person would miss.

4 - Dogs can smell storms coming. Dogs' noses are so sensitive that they can detect concentrations of chemicals in the low parts-per-million range. Lightning ionizes air with the formation of ozone – which has a characteristic metallic smell. Dogs detect this odor in much smaller quantities than humans.

5 - Dogs learn to interpret physical conditions of a storm: darkened skies and cloud patterns, strong gusty winds, and even a change in wind directions all tell a dog that storms are coming.

TAKE YOUR PET'S FEAR OF STORMS SERIOUSLY: For some dogs, thunderstorms are cataclysmic events. They are so frightened by the storm that they may bark, hide, urinate, or defecate, and some dogs become destructive, particularly when forced to endure a storm alone. Others may react to the sound, but may remain relatively calm. The more anxious the dog in thunderstorms, the more he may react before the storm actually arrives.

It is important that you provide safety, protection and shelter for your dogs during storm events, especially at a young age.

Reassuring your dog with treats and indoor games goes a very long way towards protecting floors, furniture and your pet's well-being in the future.

04/16/2022

Audubon and Cherokee Animal Hospitals are deeply saddened to share the news that our founder (and father) Dr. James Robert (Bob) Grace passed away suddenly, but peacefully in his KY home on Friday, April 15th.

Dr. Bob was 93 years old at his passing, having recently celebrated his 93rd birthday with family and friends 'up on the farm'. He was preceded in death by our lovely mother, Dianne Elizabeth Dorsel Grace.

Dr. Bob's accomplishments were remarkable in many ways. Along with founding multiple businesses as veterinarian, Dr. Bob pursued limitless hobbies and endeavors, including architecture, carpentry, wine-making, bee-keeping, rock and stone masonry, home-building, farming, real estate and scuba-diving.

Dr. Bob's legacy continues at Audubon and Cherokee through his son Dr. James T (Jim) Grace and daughter Peggy Grace.

As a family, we would like to thank all those clients, staff and friends (furry and otherwise) who have been, and will continue to be, part of the Audubon and Cherokee legacy.

With sincere thanks and appreciation for your support:

Mary Angela (Jack), Dr. Jim (Susan), Tom (Susan), Peggy (Glen), Aimee (Steve), Juliette (Jimmy) and Jennifer (Ken) (aka 'the kids')

02/10/2022

HOW COLD IS TOO COLD FOR MY DOG?

Arctic weather is going to make itself known to Kentuckiana this week.

Cold weather poses serious threats to your pets’ health, especially among older dogs and cats.

Here are some tips to keep your pets safe during cold weather:

KNOW THE LIMITS: Just like people, pets’ cold tolerance can vary from pet to pet based on their coat, body fat stores, activity level, and health.

Be aware of your pet’s tolerance for cold weather, and adjust accordingly. You will probably need to shorten your dog’s walks in very cold weather to protect you both from weather-associated health risks.

Arthritic and elderly pets may have more difficulty walking on snow and ice and may be more prone to slipping and falling.

Long-haired or thick-coated dogs tend to be more cold-tolerant, but are still at risk in cold weather.

Short-haired pets feel the cold faster because they have less protection, and short-legged pets may become cold faster because their bellies and bodies are more likely to come into contact with snow-covered ground.

KNOW THE HEALTH RISKS: Pets with diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, or hormonal imbalances (such as Cushing’s disease) may have a harder time regulating their body temperature and may be more susceptible to problems from temperature extremes.

The same goes for very young and very old pets. If you need help determining your pet’s temperature limits, consult your veterinarian.

PROVIDE CHOICES: Just like you, pets prefer comfortable sleeping places and may change their location based on their need for more or less warmth. Give them some safe options to allow them to vary their sleeping place to adjust to their needs.

RECOGNIZE PROBLEMS: If your pet is whining, shivering, seems anxious, slows down or stops moving, seems weak, or starts looking for warm places to burrow, get them back inside quickly because they are showing signs of hypothermia.

Frostbite is harder to detect, and may not be fully recognized until a few days after the damage is done. If you suspect your pet has hypothermia or frostbite, consult your veterinarian immediately.

BE PREPARED: Cold weather also brings the risks of severe winter weather, blizzards and power outages.

Prepare a disaster/emergency kit, and include your pet in your plans. Have enough food, water and medicine (including any prescription medications as well as heartworm and flea/tick preventives) on hand to get through at least 5 days.

STAY INSIDE: Cats and dogs should be kept inside during EXTREME weather. Again, the effects of cold weather vary by cold, but if your dog acts cold, he IS cold. (And very uncomfortable)

WHEN IN DOUBT, DON'T LEAVE THEM OUT.

10/29/2021

10/29/2021

IT'S FEEL-GOOD FRIDAY - HAVE A SPOOK-TACULAR WEEKEND!

Have a safe and fun Halloween weekend.

If your plans include tricks or treats, remember, NO CHOCOLATE, NO XYLITOL for your pets.

07/26/2021

WHY DOES MY DOG KEEP LICKING HIS FEET?

Excessive licking and chewing on feet has a few possible causes, but the typical culprit is ALLERGIES.

(Note, licking can also be caused by a burr between the toes or an injury. So it is a good idea to give your dog's feet a 'once over' if you notice excessive licking)

If the behavior is seasonal - Spring through Fall, then grass, pollen, ticks and fleas may be the reason for your pet's discomfort.

Constant, chronic licking and chewing year-round tends to point towards food allergies, or unfortunately a flea infestation problem.

Non-stop licking and chewing occurs because YOUR DOG IS ITCHY.

Constant licking creates a moist environment, and like hot spots, secondary infections from yeast and bacteria can further exacerbate the behavior.

IN MOST CASES, ALLERGIES IN OTHERWISE HEALTHY DOGS, CAN BE EASILY CONTROLLED BY MEDICATIONS.

Because the licking and chewing behavior has more than one possible cause, it is important to visit your veterinarian to pinpoint the underlying issue and treat it accordingly.

IF YOUR DOG IS LICKING AND CHEWING.....GIVE US A CALL FOR AN APPOINTMENT.

CHEROKEE: 502-451-2442 / AUDUBON: 502-361-2611