WHAT’S  NEW

The ON-LINE edition of our monthly newsletter
 

In this issue:		Holiday Safety Tips Holiday Schedule Hospital Remodeling Information Garden Tips: Safe Plants Thank-You for Our New Referrals What’s New on Our Web Site (since last month) (Go to Hospital Home Page) (Check out the Pet Web Library, Pharmacy Center, Surgery Suite & Vaccine Mezzanine) The “What’s New” Archives
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HOLIDAY SAFETY TIPS

EACH HOLIDAY SEASON WE OFFER A REMINDER OF THE HAZARDS OF THE SEASON THAT FACE YOUR PET

Be careful how you deck your halls! The holiday season is generally a time of family togetherness in which even our pets participate. One’s thoughts generally are far from thoughts of injury; however, one must be aware of some important seasonal hazards in order to insure a happy holiday season. RIBBONS & TINSEL These are of special interest to playful cats and kittens who see these materials as toys (or prey) to be chased, pounced upon, chewed or swallowed. While chasing and pouncing pose no health threats, chewing and swallowing do, as these strings or “linear foreign bodies” can catch in the GI tract, leading to bunching of intestine as the body tries in vain to move the string or ribbon through. This is a life-threatening condition requiring surgery for correction. Supervise animals who play with string closely. ELECTRIC LIGHT CORDS These are also tempting to cats who like to play with string as well as to puppies who are teething and interested in chewing. If a pet bites through an electrical cord, it could result in a severe burn to the tongue which causes the pet’s lung to fill with fluid, causing respiratory distress. This is also an emergency requiring immediate veterinary attention. CHOCOLATE Many people do not realize that chocolate can be a poison. Unsweetened baking chocolate carries a much higher dose of the toxin “theobromine” than does milk chocolate, but even normal milk chocolate can be dangerous; a small dog sharing candy can wind up in big trouble. Clinical signs of chocolate poisoning include hyperexcitability, nervousness, vomiting, and diarrhea. and death. POINSETTIA Consuming this festive-looking plant can be irritating to the mouth and stomach of the dog or cat that chews on or eats it. Contrary to popular belief, poinsettia is not specifically toxic. MISTLETOE The fact that there are several types of mistletoe makes it difficult to predict the clinical signs of poisoning. Some mistletoes produce only stomach upset while others may lead to liver failure or seizuring. Consider mistletoe to be a hazardous substance and keep it inaccessible to pets and children. COOKING Keep pets out of the kitchen during the hustle and bustle of the season. The last thing you want is for someone you love to get underfoot and get burned from spillage. DIETARY INDISCRETION We all like to include our pets in Holiday meals along with the rest of the family, but try to keep in mind that sudden rich diet changes are likely to upset a pet’s stomach. Vomiting and diarrhea are not uncommon. If leftovers are of an especially fatty nature, the pancreas may become inflamed and overloaded. This condition is serious and may require hospitalization

WE WISH ALL OF OUR WONDERFUL PET-OWNERS
THE SAFEST AND MOST SPECIAL OF HOLIDAYS

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HOLIDAY SCHEDULE

Hospital Holiday Schedule Monday December 24 Closing Early     8 am - 2 pm Tuesday December 25 CLOSED     Merry Christmas! Monday December 31 Closing Early     8 am - 2 pm Tuesday January 1, 2002 CLOSED     Happy New Year!

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HOSPITAL REMODELING

We will be beginning February 2002 with brand new examination and reception facilities. While we are all dreaming of the new counters, colors, and spaces, we unfortunately must be working out of temporary facilities and want to ask our clients to bear with us during construction.

The Temporary Entrance

What is normally our staff entrance will become the only entrance during construction and a small office will be the make shift reception area.  This means there will be limited space in the waiting area so please be on time for your appointment. Also, note that we are trying to schedule checking in and checking out to minimize traffic jams so, again, please do your best to be on time.  If too many people arrive at the same time, some will have to wait outside.

The Temporary Examination Room

We will be cordoning off an area of our treatment room to use as an examination area. This area will be curtained for privacy but since the regular treatment facilities will be just a curtain away, you may hear people working, equipment running, or dogs barking.  Please bear with us.

Vaccination Clinic During Remodel

Vaccination clinic is always a time of heavy traffic through reception. You will be seen more quickly if you call ahead and schedule the approximate time of your arrival.  Those who have not called ahead will be seen on a first come/first served basis.

Leave your pet in your vehicle for check in. You will receive a number determining the order with which you will be seen. An usher will bring you and your pet to our treatment room when the time comes for vaccination.

Our surgical, radiology, grooming, and dental areas will be unchanged and, while cages will be moved around, we will still have the same amount of patient housing as always. This is only a six week period and we thank everyone in advance for their cooperation and understanding and welcome everyone to the beautiful new facility that will be available in February.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING DURING THIS TIME

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GARDEN TIPS: SAFE PLANTS

Whether it is a shrub, a tree or just a potted plant, it’s good to know that a dog or cat can’t be harmed by chewing up a few leaves or petals. Every month we feature safe attractive plants for your home or garden. This month’s safe plants are:

Baby Echeveria (Echeveria derenbergii) AKA: Painted Lady Paddy's Wig (Helxine soleirolii) The Orange Star (Guzmania lingulata)

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Thank-You for our New Referrals

Here are the names of our clients who have referred their family or friends to our hospital in November 2001:

Paul Gardner Vaughn Jackson Angela Lundgren Joey Mc Corkel Joann Schafer Marilyn Stitt

Thank you again for your confidence in us.

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WHAT’S NEW ON OUR WEB SITE (since last month)

RIMADYL
Carprofen (Rimadyl®), the especially important arthritis pain reliever for dogs, has just been approved for once a day use.  This announcement has led to a remodel of our web page regarding this medication.  If you have a dog who takes Rimadyl and would like the convenience of once a day dosing, please call for further instructions. This medication is for dogs only.

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