Mt. Sterling & Rushville Veterinary Clinics
Winter Newsletter
Volume 1 Issue 1
December 9, 2009
Mt. Sterling Vet Clinic
Rushville Vet Clinic
Rt 99 South
403 E Lafayette
Mt. Sterling, IL
62353
Rushville, Il
62681
(217) 773-3366
(217)322-6590
Caring and Compassionate
Healthcare for Your Pet
Deck the Halls!...........
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.terinary
Clinics Emergency Services
“An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of
Cure”……………Benjamin Franklin
Dr. Amanda McCleery with Calamity Jane.
Dr. McCleery is
one of our emergency
and on-staff
veterinarians. She
specializes in small animals and equine treatment.
Call and schedule an appointment
with her today at 217-773-3366.
Health Tips for Winter
The crunch of leaves underfoot and the smell of smoke from
fireplaces and woodstoves are sure signs that winter is upon us.It's
easy to lose track of our pets during the holiday season. With a
little forethought, this winter should be a safe and happy time for
our furry friends.
For many of us, winterizing the car means flushing and filling the
radiator.Unfortunately, this practice can be deadly to dogs and cats
if not done properly.Most antifreeze contains ethylene glycol, which
has a sweet taste that some animals can't resist.Just a tablespoon
can kill a cat while a few ounces can be fatal to an average-sized
dog.Early signs of poisoning are staggering, disorientation, and
nausea. Treatment must begin within just a few hours to be
effective.Be sure no puddles are left in the driveway or garage and
that used fluid is disposed of properly.The good news is that there
are newer products made of propylene glycol, which is much less
toxic.
Most outdoor pets do quite well through the winter, provided they
have dry, insulated shelter out of the wind.Be sure they have access
to fresh, unfrozen, water at all times, and bring them inside in
extreme weather.Road salt can be especially irritating to the paws,
so be sure to keep your pet's feet clean.One thing to be aware of is
that outdoor cats (and wildlife, too) will often seek shelter in
vehicle engines to escape the cold - or the neighbor's dog. It's a
good idea to bang on the hood or honk the horn before starting the
engine.
“ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS A PUPPY”
Holidays can be
a stressful time for pets and may not be the best time to welcome a
new family member.The hustle and bustle can be confusing to a new
puppy or kitten, who is probably already anxious from being taken
from its first family. It's also harder to find the time to begin
the training that is so important to making a well-adjusted
pet.Ideally, the best time to pick up a new puppy or kitten is a
week or two before Christmas (giving everyone some time to adjust),
or wait until after Christmas.If you do get a new puppy or kitten
for Christmas, be sure to get all you r critter shopping done before
the new arrival. Here is a list of the basics:
For puppies - collar and leash, a well-insulated doghouse for
outside puppies and heavy, non-tippable food and water bowls.
For kittens - a carrier, litter box, kitty litter and scratching
post and food and water bowls.
For either - appropriate toys, a bed (unless you plan on letting it
sleep in yours!), a nutritionally complete and balance food
formulated for growing puppies and kittens, and, most importantly, a
lot of love.
With a little preparation, the holiday season will be a safe and
happy one for everyone.
Have questions or concerns regarding your pet or our clinic? Feel free to e-mail us and one of our veterinarians will be happy to return your message. Our e-mail is msvetclinic@gmail.com.
Wishing you
safety and an abundance of fun and family throughout the holiday
season.
Happy Holidays!!!!!