Holiday Safety Tips

The holiday season is upon us, and many pet parents plan to include their furry companions in the festivities. As you gear up for the holidays, it is important to try to keep your pet's eating and exercise habits as close to their normal routine as possible. Also, please be sure to steer pets clear of the following unhealthy treats, toxic plants and dangerous decorations. Be Careful with Seasonal Plants and Decorations

Oh, Christmas Tree: Securely anchor your Christmas tree so it doesn't tip and fall, causing possible injury to your pet. This will also prevent the tree water—which may contain fertilizers that can cause stomach upset—from spilling. Stagnant tree water is a breeding ground for bacteria, and your pet could end up with nausea or diarrhea should he imbibe.

Avoid Mistletoe & Holly: Holly, when ingested, can cause pets to suffer nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Mistletoe can cause gastrointestinal upset and cardiovascular problems. And many varieties of lilies can cause kidney failure in cats if ingested. Opt for just-as-jolly artificial plants made from silk or plastic, or choose a pet-safe bouquet.

Tinsel-less Town: Kitties love this sparkly, light-catching "toy" that's easy to bat around and carry in their mouths. But a nibble can lead to a swallow, which can lead to an obstructed digestive tract, severe vomiting, dehydration and possible surgery. It's best to brighten your boughs with something other than tinsel.

That Holiday Glow: Don't leave lighted candles unattended. Pets may burn themselves or cause a fire if they knock candles over. Be sure to use appropriate candle holders, placed on a stable surface. And if you leave the room, put the candle out!

Wired Up: Keep wires, batteries and glass or plastic ornaments out of paws' reach. A wire can deliver a potentially lethal electrical shock and a punctured battery can cause burns to the mouth and esophagus, while shards of breakable ornaments can damage your pet's mouth and digestive tract.

Avoid Holiday Food Dangers · Skip the Sweets: By now you know not to feed your pets chocolate and anything sweetened with xylitol, but do you know the lengths to which an enterprising pet will go to chomp on something yummy? Make sure to keep your pets away from the table and unattended plates of food, and be sure to secure the lids on garbage cans. ·

Leave the Leftovers: Fatty, spicy and no-no human foods, as well as bones, should not be fed to your furry friends. Pets can join the festivities in other fun ways that won't lead to costly medical bills.

Careful with Cocktails: If your celebration includes adult holiday beverages, be sure to place your unattended alcoholic drinks where pets cannot get to them. If ingested, your pet could become weak, ill and may even go into a coma, possibly resulting in death from respiratory failure.

Selecting Special Treats: Looking to stuff your pet's stockings? Stick with chew toys that are basically indestructible, Kongs that can be stuffed with healthy foods or chew treats that are designed to be safely digestible. Long, stringy things are a feline's dream, but the most risky toys for cats involve ribbon, yarn and loose little parts that can get stuck in the intestines, often necessitating surgery. Surprise kitty with a new ball that's too big to swallow, a stuffed catnip toy or the interactive cat dancer. Please visit our People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets page for more information.
Plan a Pet-Safe Holiday Gathering

House Rules: If your animal-loving guests would like to give your pets a little extra attention and exercise while you're busy tending to the party, ask them to feel free to start a nice play or petting session.

Put the Meds Away: Make sure all of your medications are locked behind secure doors, and be sure to tell your guests to keep their meds zipped up and packed away, too. · A Room of Their Own: Give your pet his own quiet space to retreat to—complete with fresh water and a place to snuggle. Shy pups and cats might want to hide out under a piece of furniture, in their carrying case or in a separate room away from the hubbub.

New Year's Noise: As you count down to the new year, please keep in mind that strings of thrown confetti can get lodged in a cat's intestines, if ingested, perhaps necessitating surgery. Noisy poppers can terrify pets and cause possible damage to sensitive ears. And remember that many pets are also scared of fireworks, so be sure to secure them in a safe, escape-proof area as midnight approaches.

 SOURCE: https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/holiday-safety-tips

Fourth of July Safety Tips

For many people, nothing beats lounging in the backyard on the Fourth of July with good friends and family—including the four-legged members of the household. While it may seem like a great idea to reward Rover with scraps from the grill and bring him along to watch fireworks, in reality some festive foods and products can be potentially hazardous to your pets. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center offers the following tips:

·         Never leave alcoholic drinks unattended where pets can reach them. Alcoholic beverages have the potential to poison pets. If ingested, the animal could become very intoxicated and weak, severely depressed or could go into a coma. Death from respiratory failure is also a possibility in severe cases.

·         Do not apply any sunscreen or insect repellent product to your pet that is not labeled specifically for use on animals. Ingestion of sunscreen products can result in drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst and lethargy. The misuse of insect repellent that contains DEET can lead to neurological problems.

·         Always keep matches and lighter fluid out of your pets’ reach. Certain types of matches contain chlorates, which could potentially damage blood cells and result in difficulty breathing—or even kidney disease in severe cases. Lighter fluid can be irritating to skin, and if ingested can produce gastrointestinal irritation and central nervous system depression. If lighter fluid is inhaled, aspiration pneumonia and breathing problems could develop.

·         Keep your pets on their normal diet. Any change, even for one meal, can give your pets severe indigestion and diarrhea. This is particularly true for older animals who have more delicate digestive systems and nutritional requirements. And keep in mind that foods such as onions, chocolate, coffee, avocado, grapes & raisins, salt and yeast dough can all be potentially toxic to companion animals.

·         Do not put glow jewelry on your pets, or allow them to play with it. While the luminescent substance contained in these products is not highly toxic, excessive drooling and gastrointestinal irritation could still result from ingestions, and intestinal blockage could occur from swallowing large pieces of the plastic containers.

·         Keep citronella candles, insect coils and oil products out of reach. Ingestions can produce stomach irritation and possibly even central nervous system depression. If inhaled, the oils could cause aspiration pneumonia in pets.

·         Never use fireworks around pets! While exposure to lit fireworks can potentially result in severe burns and/or trauma to the face and paws of curious pets, even unused fireworks can pose a danger. Many types contain potentially toxic substances, including potassium nitrate, arsenic and other heavy metals.

• Loud, crowded fireworks displays are no fun for pets, so please resist the urge to take them to Independence Day festivities. Instead, keep your little guys safe from the noise in a quiet, sheltered and escape-proof area at home. 

July Team Member of the Month: Lexie, Veterinary Technician

Lexie is one of Avondale's veterinary technicians. Her duties include assisting the veterinarian with surgical procedures or general care of the pets they see in the clinic. She has been with Avondale since the fall of 2011. She has a Border Collie, "Wylie" and her time outside of the clinic is spent horseback trail riding, camping, boating, or just spending time with family, friends and animals.

May Team Member of the Month: JESSICA - Technician

Jessica has been with Avondale Animal Hospital since the summer of 2011. Her duties include assisting the veterinarians in the care of the animals being seen at Avondale Animal Hospital or Avondale Cat Hospital. Jessica assists in animal wellness treatments, surgery, laser pain therapy, rehabilitation therapy including the underwater treadmill and land treadmill, and stem cell therapy. Jessica has three cats, "Cricket", "Cookie" and "Polly", as well as her dog "Fred". In her free time she enjoys seeing movies, reading books, knitting, cookouts in the summer and pet sitting for friends and family.

Halloween Pet Safety

Attention, animal lovers, it's almost the spookiest night of the year! The ASPCA recommends taking some common sense precautions this Halloween to keep you and your pet saying "trick or treat!" all the way to November 1.

1. No tricks, no treats: That bowl of candy is for trick-or-treaters, not for Scruffy and Fluffy. Chocolate in all forms—especially dark or baking chocolate—can be very dangerous for dogs and cats. Candies containing the artificial sweetener xylitol can also cause problems. If you do suspect your pet has ingested something toxic, please call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

2. Popular Halloween plants such as pumpkins and decorative corn are considered to be relatively nontoxic, but they can produce stomach upset in pets who nibble on them.

3. Wires and cords from electric lights and other decorations should be kept out of reach of your pets. If chewed, your pet might suffer cuts or burns, or receive a possibly life-threatening electrical shock.

4. A carved pumpkin certainly is festive, but do exercise caution if you choose to add a candle. Pets can easily knock a lit pumpkin over and cause a fire. Curious kittens especially run the risk of getting burned or singed by candle flames.

5. Dress-up can be a big mess-up for some pets. Please don't put your dog or cat in a costume UNLESS you know he or she loves it (yup, a few pets are real hams!). For pets who prefer their “birthday suits,” however, wearing a costume may cause undue stress.

6. If you do dress up your pet, make sure the costume isn't annoying or unsafe. It should not constrict the animal's movement or hearing, or impede his ability to breathe, bark or meow. Also, be sure to try on costumes before the big night. If your pet seems distressed, allergic or shows abnormal behavior, consider letting him go au naturale or donning a festive bandana.

7. Take a closer look at your pet’s costume and make sure it does not have small, dangling or easily chewed-off pieces that he could choke on. Also, ill-fitting outfits can get twisted on external objects or your pet, leading to injury.

8. All but the most social dogs and cats should be kept in a separate room away from the front door during peak trick-or-treating hours. Too many strangers can be scary and stressful for pets.

9. When opening the door for trick-or-treaters, take care that your cat or dog doesn't dart outside.

10. IDs, please! Always make sure your dog or cat has proper identification. If for any reason your pet escapes and becomes lost, a collar and tags and/or a microchip can be a lifesaver, increasing the chances that he or she will be returned to you. 

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/pet-care-tips/halloween-safety-tips.aspx

October Team Member of the Month: Dr. Christopher Groos

are proud to honor Dr. Christopher Groos has our October Team Member of the Month! Dr. Groos joined the Avondale Veterinary Healthcare Complex team in July of 2004. He is a graduate of the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine and has a special interest in feline and canine dentistry. He also sees general medicine cases and enjoys surgery. Dr. Groos has studied international publick health and has pursued additional education not only in dentistry, but ophthalmology and dermatology as well. Dr. Groos actively participates in the American Veterinary Medical Association, is a former board member for the Angel's Wish Animal Rescue Organization. He enjoys spending his free time with his wife, Jen, daughter, Hannah and son Henry. We are happy to honor Dr. Groos this October!

Team Member of the Month: Libby

We are proud to announce Libby as our September Team Member of the Month! Libby is one of the Animal Caregivers at the Avondale Pet Resort. She has been with the Pet Resort since the fall of 2011. Libby enjoys everything about caring for

the dogs and cats at the Pet Resort! She has "Gibbs" who is an English Setter; "Zeva" who is an English Setter; "Maverick" who is a Lab/Heeler cross; her cats, "P.J.", "T.J." and "O.J"; Mini-Donkeys "Skittles", "Tootsie", "Muffin" and "Cookie" and a host of chickens and pigeons. In her free time Libby shows pigeons, loves gardening, and raising and showing Iris. Both Libby and her husband, Kelly, are animal lovers. Her husband works at the Blank Park Zoo. We are grateful to have Libby on our team!

May Team Member of the Month: Shelly

Shelly Gordanier, Pet Groomer is our May Team Member of the Month! Shelly has been with Avondale Grooming since the fall of 2011. She has 16 years of grooming experience and is a talented pet stylist. Shelly enjoys doing the latest in "funky" styles for pets -- anything from mohawks to special pet colors and blueberry facials! In her free time she loves spending time with her daughter and enjoys all kinds of music. We are glad she is a part of our team!

Mandy: April Team Member of the Month

Mandy is our April Team Member of the Month! Mandy is a veterinary technician who has a special interest in pet dentistry. She has been with Avondale Animal Hospital since the winter of 2011. Mandy has a Basenji named "Zeppelin". When not working, she enjoys softball, shopping and attending courses dealing with veterinary medicine. Mandy keeps busy caring for her son, Hansen.

Pets & Easter Eggs

Easter egg hunts are so much fun for kids, and sometimes even for adults! Finding that brightly colored egg stuffed with a surprise is exciting! But don't forget the dangers of failing to find an egg that's been stuffed with candy. Your dog leads with their nose, and if you don't find it, your pet might! Consider stuffing your eggs with something safe for pets this year. If Fido finds them, he'll be less likely to break them open and eat what's inside.

Tomorrow is 'If Pets Had Thumbs Day'

Dog Waits for Santa

Happy Birthday Lisa!

Happy Birthday wishes go out to Lisa C. who celebrates her special day tomorrow! We hope you have an incredible birthday, Lisa!

November is Pet Cancer Awareness Month

Did you know?
-Cancer accounts for nearly 50% of all disease-related pet deaths each year
-One in four dogs die of cancer.
-Approximately 1 in 4 dogs develops a tumor of some kind during his lifetime.
-Just like in humans, cancer can occur in any part of your dog’s body.

Are you aware that November is Pet Cancer Awareness Month? Run your hands over your pet and feel for any unusual lumps or bumps. If you feel something new or unusual, let's take a look at it. Dogs and cats can get benign lumps such as lipomas and sebaceous cysts, but they can also get much more serious tumors, like mast cell tumors, melanomas, squamous cell carcinomas, and many others. Many of these can be diagnosed with a simple in-office procedure involving a needle aspirate and then a microscopic exam of the cells obtained. A fine needle aspirate is generally less painful than a vaccination, so don't hesitate to get that lump checked out. The importance of annual check-ups regardless of the age of your pet is critical in the prevention of cancer.

Here are the top 10 early warning signs of pet cancer listed out by the American Veterinary Medical Association.

1. Abnormal swellings that persist or continue to grow
2. Sores that do not heal
3. Weight loss
4. Loss of appetite
5. Bleeding or discharge from any body opening
6. Offensive odor
7. Difficulty eating or swallowing
8. Hesitation to exercise or loss of stamina
9. Persistent lameness or stiffness
10. Difficulty breathing, urinating or defecating

Better to be safe than sorry, and much better to catch something sooner rather than later!

Holiday Dangers for Pets

5th Annual Holiday Memorial Tree Event

On December 10th, 2010 we hosted our 5th Annual Holiday Memorial Tree Event to honor the memory of our client’s pets that died in 2010.

For many, these pets were part of their family and are missed greatly, especially as the holidays come around. Avondale recognizes that and decorates two trees with custom-made ornaments honoring those pets. Each client received an invitation from us inviting them to come to the clinic and take their pet's ornaments home.

It’s a quiet event that lasts about two hours with staff and owners remembering and sharing stories. Those precious family members that are gone, but not forgotten.

Stocking up on all the holiday goodies?

Are you stocking up on all the holiday goodies? Beware of guests who may give your pet cookies, chocolate and other sweets. Those treats are not healthy for them. Your pet’s digestive system is not adapted for such rich foods, and chocolate contains theobromine, which can be harmful and sometimes fatal. Keep plenty of treats especially for your pet around so they don’t get the urge to try and sample some of your holiday feast. Just a tip from Avondale Veterinary Healthcare Complex.

Welcome to our practice blog! We look forward to serving you and your pet’s needs for years to come!

Avondale Veterinary Healthcare Complex is owned and operated by Dennis D. Woodruff, DVM. He has served the Carlisle area since 1974 and employs 6 associate veterinarians and a support staff of over 50.

Avondale Animal Hospital was built in 1973 by Dr. James Wistrom and served as a small animal and a large animal facility. The practice sits on 1.6 acres of land. Dr. Dennis Woodruff joined the practice in 1974 and became a partner in 1976. The large animal part of the practice was sold in 1984 and Dr. Woodruff became the sole owner of the practice in 1986. A major renovation of the existing building was completed in 1989. It included additional examination rooms, offices, a central treatment area and an expanded reception and lobby area.

A second addition was completed in 1997 and Avondale Pet Resort, Avondale Cat Hospital, Avondale Grooming and Avondale Child Care joined Avondale Animal Hospital to now become Avondale Veterinary Healthcare Complex.

In 2009 a third addition was completed and added a double dental suite, laboratory area, pharmacy area, a second hospitalization area, orthopedic surgery room and a new routine surgery room in addition to a Rehabilitation and Laser Therapy Center.

Today, Avondale Veterinary Healthcare Complex employs seven doctors and over 50 technical, management and support team members.

Avondale Veterinary Healthcare Complex understands the importance of the human-animal bond. It is the mission of the Avondale Veterinary Healthcare Complex team to improve the lives of animals and their owners by providing the highest quality veterinary medicine, including state-of-the-art technology, highly skilled veterinary medicine practitioners and compassionate and trustworthy animal care. The team is devoted to the elimination of animal suffering, respecting our patients and their owners and maintaining our personal and medical integrity at all times.

The Complex includes:

· Avondale Animal Hospital – full service hospital and clinic for dogs and accredited. (515)262-6111

· Avondale Cat Hospital – full service cat hospital and clinic for “Cats Only”. (515)262-9222

· Avondale Pet Resort, (515) 262-PAWS, and includes:

· Boarding in Specialty Themed Suites, Dormitory Rooms or Cat Condos

· Doggie Daycare

· Avondale Grooming Salon for dogs and cats

Avondale sets itself apart from other practices by also offering:

· Canine & Feline orthopedic (bone & joint) surgical procedures

· Laser Surgery

· Canine Rehabilitation Center, which includes an underwater treadmill, land treadmill and Class IV laser therapy for pain, swelling due and inflammation

· Stem Cell Therapy for arthritic joints

· Ultrasound

· Digital x-ray & Digital Dental X-ray

· Dental procedures from regular dental cleanings to complicated procedures including root canals

· Spay and neuter surgeries for dogs and cats

· Declaw cat surgeries

· Special diet counseling

Approximately 14% of the animal hospitals throughout the United States & Canada have met the standards of care to achieve accreditation by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). This includes the commitment to voluntarily participate in an on-site evaluation based on the highest standards of veterinary medicine. Practice is evaluated on over 800 standards, proving a strong desire to provide high-quality medicine and top-notch client service. Both Avondale Animal Hospital and Avondale Cat Hospital have received the AAHA accreditation. Additionally, the Avondale Pet Resort is also accredited by Pet Care Services Association (PCSA) formerly ABKA.

Avondale is open 7 days a week to better serve our clients and their pets.

Visit us on Facebook and online at www.avondalevet.com

Welcome to our practice. We look forward to serving you and your pet’s needs for years to come!

Dennis D. Woodruff, DVM