PET TALES
Newsletter from Countryside Veterinary Service
December 2006
Christmas Trivia: Can you name the three reindeer whose names begin with D? (Answers are below)
WARNING: Please remember to clean up all antifreeze spills and keep the containers above your pets reach. It smells and tastes sweet to animals and takes less than a spoonful to be FATAL in some pets.
Dog and cat Christmas stockings with treats are available for purchase here at Countryside. All proceeds go to the Cascades Humane Society in Jackson.
Although the risk of heartworm disease is low during the winter, monthly heartworm preventive is still recommended. Both Heartgard and Interceptor also protect against intestinal parasites that can be found any time of year.
Holiday Hazards:
Several foods and treats used around the holidays such as chocolate and bones in turkey or chicken can make animals very sick. Also, eating higher fat items, especially fried items or ham, can cause a severe stomach condition called pancreatitis that requires hospitalization and treatment. Please only feed you pets their normal diet and ask guests not to give your pets table food.
Cold weather brings a lot of ice and snow. Please check your pet’s feet for snow and ice and remove any that may be trapped between the paws. Also, do not walk your pets over deicing salt as this can cause irritation to their feet. If you think they may have come in contact with some, gently rinse their feet and dry them completely.
Decorations can also be very dangerous to animals. Tinsel can get trapped in their intestines causing blockages, ornaments can be broken and cause lacerations, or plants like poinsettias and mistletoe can be toxic when ingested. Please try to keep these items and electrical cords out of your pets reach.
Ringworm:
During the month of November, we saw a large number of Ringworm cases on cats and dogs. Ringworm is a fungal infection that can spread from animals to people and people to animals. This infection usually looks like a red circle with a scaley area around it and is usually not itchy. Please call and set up an appointment if you are concerned about your pets having Ringworm or if anyone in the house was diagnosed with this problem. See your doctor if you are concerned you may have picked up this infection.
Dog License:
Hillsdale County Dog Licenses will be available December 1. They can be purchased at the front counter December through February. Please see Janet with any questions.
After Hour Emergencies:
After Hour Emergency Coverage: Countryside Veterinary Service is sharing emergency coverage with Columbia Animal Clinic in Brooklyn on a rotating basis. Please call Countryside Veterinary Service for your emergencies. A message will give you instructions for contacting the on call doctor.
Answer to trivia question: Dasher, Donner, Dancer
MAY YOU AND YOUR FAMILY HAVE A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS!