Newsletter: Winter 2009 / 2010
HOLIDAY HAZARDS
- Poinsettias, mistletoe, holly berries, lilies, amaryllis, liquid potpourri and chocolate are toxic to pets.
- Needles from sewing projects and stringing popcorn can be swallowed and must be surgically removed.
- String and tinsel can damage your pet's intestines if swallowed.
- Turkey bones can get caught in your pet's mouth or throat and can splinter and injure the intestines.
- Table scraps and some spices can cause diarrhea and/or vomiting.
- Most foods and treats should be kept well out of reach of pets for their safety.
- Make sure Christmas tree preservatives are safe for pets. Aspirin, often used in the water as a preservative, is extremely toxic to cats.
- Put breakable ornaments toward the top of the tree. Broken pieces can cut your pet's tongue or be ingested.
- Ice melting products can be irritating to your pet's feet and can cause stomach upset if ingested. Please rinse their feet after coming in and restrict access to the products.
- Keep all over the counter and prescription medications well out of reach of pets, many can cause severe toxicities. Please remind guests about this also!
February is National Pet Dental Health Month
Dental disease is the most common disease of cats and dogs - studies indicate 85% of adult pets have some degree of periodontal disease.
Periodontal disease can make pets more susceptible to other diseases such as kidney disease, heart disease, and liver disease.
Periodontal disease can be staged:
Stage 1 - Gingivitis
Stage 2 - Early periodontitis - less than 25% loss of support structure
Stage 3 - Moderate periodontitis - 25-50% loss of support structure
Stage 4 - Advanced periodontitis - more than 50% loss of support structure
We recommend daily brushing of your pets' teeth. If you are unable to brush daily, providing hard rubber chew toys, dental treats, feeding a prescription dental diet, and/or using at-home dental care products such as Oravet can help keep your pets' teeth in tip-top shape!
Revolution for Cats
WFVH is now recommending Revolution for flea and heartworm prevention in cats.
Why switch from Frontline to Revolution?
In addition to killing adult fleas and preventing flea eggs from hatching (which Frontline also does), Revolution is an FDA-approved, topically-applied medication that prevents heartworm disease, treats and controls ear mites, and controls roundworms and hookworms.
Boarding and Grooming Tips
- Make your reservations for boarding and grooming far in advance since popular holiday dates fill quickly!
- Check your pet's vaccinations and make sure they are up to date 2 weeks prior to boarding to assure maximum protection.
- Don't forget to bring written proof of current vaccinations to the kennel, they will require this to allow your pet to stay.
- Bring your pet's normal food to the kennel if they allow it. This helps to prevent intestinal upset during or following boarding.
