Veterinary Care Boarding
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March 2018
To Declaw or Not to Declaw?

If you've asked yourself this question, please know you're not alone- even our own veterinarians are right here with you.

We know while kittens tend to recover quickly from a declawing procedure, some adult cats face a longer recovery. In the video above we hear tried and true training tips from Dr. Kristin Plauche on teaching your cat to stop clawing furniture- here's the full list.

  • Consider cat trees & scratching posts with levels. Place these in areas your cat likes to spend time. The goal is to move their preferred areas from unwanted locations, like furniture, to cat designated zones. Reward with treats, petting, play, and praise when they use these areas to lie down, venture, or scratch on.
  • Find a treat they love! Reward your cat for appropriate scratching on approved items with small treats the size of a pencil eraser. Think small, soft, smelly, meat-based treats, as these are especially palatable for even the pickiest felines.
  • Calm them by gently touching their cheek area with a towel where scent glands are located and then rubbing this scent over areas your cat frequently offensively claws and or lays. This may help promote similar feelings of calm and content over the space and reduce their desire to mark using the glands located by their paws and claws. You may also use a synthetic feline pheromone (Feliway Spray available at LVCC) product that comes in spray and diffuser form and mimics pheromones used by cats to calm themselves.
  • Use gentle methods to distract your cat from scratching in undesired areas. If they scratch in the wrong area, interrupt them gently by moving them to the proper area or luring them with a toy. Then, reward with attention, praise, play, and treats for scratching in the right area.
  • Use food puzzles such as cavity toys that can be stuffed with softer fillings, like canned cat food. Also incorporate active puzzles your cat rolls to release food or those that require paws to fish out kibble.
  • Use feather, wand, mouse, and string toys to add variety to your cat’s play. Reward your cat afterwards with a small treat to mimic the end of a successful hunt.
  • Consider rubber claw tips, also known as softpaws. Use the non-toxic glue that comes in the kits to apply these yourselves or call your trusted veterinary team at LVCC for help applying the softpaws.

All the tips above are in response to the primary three reasons cats claw:
  • Marking their territory
  • Exercise
  • Pleasure

Consider these primary motives when creating your own solutions in your home and routine time with your cat. Have fun with it- no punishment needed here.

Still have questions- come consult with our veterinary team. Know that declawing isn't a bad choice, but not a first resort for most cats as training and diversion are the simplest, least invasive options.
Save the Date
NEWS FROM
THE
PET RESORT
Dreaming of your summer vacation? So are your pets and the Pet Resort is ready to bring the fun this summer. Here's what's in the works!

  • We're updating our Play Schedules and packages with easier to choose from options and discount bundles.
  • We're offering grooming 7 days a week.
  • We're increasing our play space and play equipment in our daycare and play yards.
  • We're updating our pricing for multiple pets who share the same space- here's the new menu:


Online Booking
O ur website is already under construction! Once complete next month we'll offer online reservations for our Pet Resort including scheduling of activities during your pet's stay and deposits for boarding.

Prefer to call? We answer our phones 24/7, 365. You could say we're all ears!
Now Available!
Grooming Services on
Saturdays & Sundays
@ the Pet Resort
Congrats to Lindsey Counts,
our Employee of the Month! 

Lindsey earned this award for many reason including making a difference by stepping in to cover shifts for her sick team mates throughout the month with the intention of ensuring no client or patient was inconvenienced.

Routinely, Lindsey is recognized for her passion for what she does, willingness to help all & dedication to growing her veterinary medical knowledge. We are so proud to have her sharing in our mission and being part of our team. Thank you for all you do, Lindsey!
Meet
Dr. Tony
Dr. Tony Nauta joined the LVCC team in 2017 and made the launch of overnight operation possible! Yea! He's that guy! Big fan? Us too!

Dr. Tony is a is a Baton Rouge native and an LSU Vet School grad- class of 2012. Growing up, he always had Labrador Retrievers- one of his favorite breeds to this day although at this time, he and his wife, Melanie, share their home with the handsome, Rat Terrier, Jackson, and adorable, Blue Heeler, Roux.

In his down time, Dr. Tony enjoys hanging out with friends and family, going to LSU football games, fishing, and hunting.
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 Dr. Tony?

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Reviving Playtime For Your Dog
At the Pet Resort we’ve become masters at play time. Through the approach of letting dogs tell us how they like to play, we’ve learned many new games. Match this with the adventurous spirit of our animal and nature loving team and turns out, we’re a hot spot of fun for people and pets! Here’s our top list of activities guaranteed to help you ‘spring’ back from winter! 

Hide & Seek- This can be as thrilling for your dog as it was for you as a young kid. Start by hiding & calling your dog until they find you. Be ready with a toy or treat to reward them. For variety, and during learning, you can also call dogs back and forth between family members and reward each interval. Once you master the game you can take it outside!

Play in the Water-   Swimming  spots like the lake or pool can add a twist to tried and true activities like fetch and chase. Kiddie pools, sprinklers and hoses are great ways to incorporate water play home and keep them cool as the weather warms up. Even physically limited or older dogs can benefit from water exercise and play that keeps them cool and is easier on their joints. If swimming in water that’s too deep for your dog to stand, it’s important to use a  life jacket

Enjoy Nature Together-  Head out for a nature walk and see where your dog’s nose leads you! Sniffing and exploring is calming yet stimulating for dogs and Acadiana is plush with beautiful parks, walking spaces and trails that the whole family can enjoy.  
 
Agility-  Don’t be intimidated by pro’s you see on TV. Set up your own agility course at home. The internet is full of ideas at all price points- all which deliver a ton of fun for you and your dog! Try starting with a weave pole stand and tunnel- you can even make an obstacle course from things around your home or yard. Create and enjoy!
 
Learn Together-  Engaging in new challenges is healthy for all......
L afayette Veterinary Care Center
337-984-7611
info@LafayetteVets.com