The Colony Animal Clinic News & Info

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Fat Cats:

Cats are curious, intelligent, athletic creatures.  To thrive in the wild, they develop finely tuned skills to hunt and avoid predators, and usually remain quite fit.  Today, most of us have indoor cats that don't have to worry about predators or finding food, and studies have shown that indoor cats tend to live longer than outdoor cats.  
All felines require a diet of high protein and they eat to fulfill their protein requirements.  As a result, they chronically over eat dry diets trying to meet their nutritional needs, resulting in obesity.  Weight loss can be achieved in cats in the same manner as dogs and people: diet and exercise.  However, rapid weight loss is not safe for cats, so your plan should be gradual and consistent weight reduction.  "Free choice" feeding is not appropriate for an overweight cat, and it may be the leading cause of the feline obesity epidemic.  Most cats do well on two meals, per day of a measured amount of food.  Is it possible to exercise with your cat?  ABSOLUTELY!  Here are some tips to help your indoor cat get fit:
  1. Consider another cat.  many are more likely to be active and play when they have a Friend.
  2. Set aside time for a "daily workout."  Ten minutes chasing a toy, feather or flashlight can help your cat with its fitness.  If you can get in two 10 minute workouts that is perfect.
  3. Train your cat.  They can learn tricks such as sit up, roll over, jump up and walk on a leash.
  4. Provide a scratch post.  This allows your cat to stretch out fully.
  5. Cat condos and towers can provide a climbing pleasure for your indoor cat.
  6. If you feed kibble, have your cat "chase" its dinner by rolling the first few pieces across the kitchen floor. 

The Colony Animal Clinic brochure

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TCAC Acupuncture brochure

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 The clinic has been recognized as an accredited member of the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) since 1986. 

Click on the AAHA logo to find out more about the AAHA.

 Why Accreditation Matters to You:

Sure, this is a huge accomplishment for your veterinary team. But it also matters to you and your pet. Did you know that AAHA-accredited hospitals must have:

  • Assessed your pet for pain every time it is seen
  • Properly cleaned and sterilized instrument packs for surgery
  • Trained staff in animal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
  • Emergency drugs and equipment readily available

These are just a few of the requirements to be accredited by AAHA. The standards were created by veterinary professionals in the field. Your veterinarian could have been one of them. They were created to improve the care received by your pet and by all pets. There is even a section on housekeeping that includes recommendations for cleanliness and eliminating strong odors. There are many more sections, all designed to benefit you and your pet.

The Colony Animal Clinic celebrated it's 30 Year Anniversay in October 2009: