Thanksgiving Pet Safety Tips

 ‘Tis the season for friends, family and holiday feasts—but also for possible distress for our animal companions. Pets won’t be so thankful if they munch on undercooked turkey or a pet-unfriendly floral arrangement, or if they stumble upon an unattended alcoholic drink. Check out the following tips from ASPCA experts for a fulfilling Thanksgiving that your pets can enjoy, too. 

Talkin’ Turkey 

If you decide to feed your pet a little nibble of turkey, make sure it’s boneless and well-cooked. Don't offer her raw or undercooked turkey, which may contain salmonella bacteria. 

 Sage Advice 

Sage can make your Thanksgiving stuffing taste delish, but it and many other herbs contain essential oils and resins that can cause gastrointestinal upset and central nervous system depression to pets if eaten in large quantities. Cats are especially sensitive to the effects of certain essential oils. 

 No Bread Dough 

Don't spoil your pet’s holiday by giving him raw bread dough. According to ASPCA experts, when raw bread dough is ingested, an animal's body heat causes the dough to rise in his stomach. As it expands, the pet may experience vomiting, severe abdominal pain and bloating, which could become a life-threatening emergency, requiring surgery. 

Don't Let Them Eat Cake 

If you’re baking up Thanksgiving cakes, be sure your pets keep their noses out of the batter, especially if it includes raw eggs—they could contain salmonella bacteria that may lead to food poisoning. 

Too Much of a Good Thing 

A few small boneless pieces of cooked turkey, a taste of mashed potato or even a lick of pumpkin pie shouldn’t pose a problem. However, don't allow your pets to overindulge, as they could wind up with a case of stomach upset, diarrhea or even worse—an inflammatory condition of the pancreas known as pancreatitis. In fact, it’s best keep pets on their regular diets during the holidays. 

A Feast Fit for a Kong 

While the humans are chowing down, give your cat and dog their own little feast. Offer them Nylabones or made-for-pet chew bones. Or stuff their usual dinner—perhaps with a few added tidbits of turkey, vegetables (try sweet potato or green beans) and dribbles of gravy—inside a Kong toy. They’ll be happily occupied for awhile, working hard to extract their dinner from the toy. 

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

Is Your Cat Missing the Litter Box?

You have a problem. Your cat is thinking outside the box, and not in a good way. You may be wondering what you did to inspire so much “creative expression.” Is your cat punishing you? Is Fluffy just “bad”? No, and no. House soiling and missing the litter box is a sign that your cat needs some help. According to the Winn Feline Foundation, house soiling is the number one complaint among cat owners.

The good news is that it is very treatable. An accredited veterinarian can help you determine if the problem is medical or related to social or environmental stressors. In addition to a complete physical exam, the doctor will ask you specific “where and when” questions. Health factors Tony Buffington, DVM, PhD, a specialist in feline urinary disorders at The Ohio State University, and founder of the Indoor Cat Initiative says that many veterinarians recommend a urine test for every cat with a house soiling problem. The urinalysis will determine if blood, bacteria, or urinary crystals are present — signs that your cat might have feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD). FLUTD is very common and can cause painful urination.

Cats that begin to associate the litter box with pain will avoid it. Other medical possibilities include hyperthyroidism, kidney disease, diabetes, and arthritis and muscle or nerve disorders that might prevent your cat from getting to the litter box in time. Environmental factors If there is no medical cause, the next step is to look at environmental factors. Start with the litter box. Your cat might be avoiding the litter box because it is not cleaned well enough, you’ve changed the type of litter you use, or there is only one box for multiple cats. Another possibility is that your cat is “marking” — spraying urine, typically on vertical objects such as walls and furniture, or in “socially significant” areas near doors or windows. Both male and female cats mark. The most common offenders are cats that have not been spayed or neutered. Buffington says that stress can cause elimination problems too.

For example, subtle aggression or harassment by other house cats or neighborhood cats may be an issue. Even unremarkable changes in your home can make your cat anxious or fearful. Look around. Did anything change right before your cat started having problems? Did you get a new pet? A new couch? Maybe you just moved the old couch to a different part of the room, or had a dinner party. Cats are sensitive creatures and changes that seem small to you can throw your cat off his game. Check with your veterinarian about finding solutions that work for both you and your cat.

 Source: http://www.aaha.org/pet_owner/pet_health_library/cat_care/behavior/missing_the_litter_box.aspx

April Team Member of the Month: Teresa

Teresa is our April Team Member of the Month! Teresa is one of the happy faces that greet you when you come to Avondale Veterinary Healthcare Complex, as well as one of the pleasant voices you hear when you call us. 

As a Client Care Specialist, she strives to make your visit with us a great experience. Teresa has been with Avondale since the spring of 2010. She has a tabby cat named Xena. She is married and has 3 children and 6 grandchildren. In her free time she enjoys trying new cooking techniques and recipes, working with stained glass and gardening. 

February is Responsible Pet Owners Month

Responsible Pet Owners Month is an important time of the year. We recommend taking a step above and beyond this month for your pet’s needs. This might include getting your pet microchipped, updating an existing microchip, or changing them to a healthier diet.

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!

Did you know that your cat should be in to see us once a year all their life, and sometimes twice a year when they’re over seven years of age? Today is National “Take Your Cat to the Vet” Day—if your cat is due for a visit with us at Avondale Veterinary Healthcare Complex, call and schedule one today. Regular visits can help your cat live longer, because we can identify and treat problems sooner.

July Team Member of the Month

We are proud to honor Cinnamon, Certified Veterinary Technician, as our July Team Member of the Month! Cinnamon supervises the technician staff at Avondale. She has been employed with us since 2004 and enjoys providing care to the animals at Avondale. In her free time she loves spending time with her daughter, boating and reading. We are grateful to have her on our team!

Cleaning Your Pet's Toys

Your dog's favorite toy doesn't have to be thrown away when it's dirty. Make sure that the toy is still safe to play with and then try cleaning it. Never use bleach or harsh cleaning chemicals. If the toy has a foul smell or does not get clean after washing, it IS time to throw away. Nylon and rubber toys can be cleaned by hand with soap and water and can even go in your dishwasher for cleaning, but run them through on the hot cycle with no detergent. Softer toys, like ropes, can become breeding grounds for bacteria, so consider sanitizing them by wetting the toy and microwaving it for a full minute. For stuffed animal toys, try throwing them in the washing machine when they are dirty. Throw away any toys with dangling parts, stuffed animal eyes, etc. and any toys that your pet is actually eating...unless it is a treat toy, your dog should not be eating it.

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.

March is Poison Prevention Month

March is Poison Prevention Month. Did you know that some of the most common household items that poison pets include human medication, both prescription and over the counter? With over 25,000 reported cases of pets poisoned by eating human medicine, it’s important to exercise extreme caution when it comes to storing these items! Keep your medications high up on shelves and closed inside cabinets, where your pet cannot access them. It’s also important to open bottles over counters so that any dropped pills don’t end up on the floor where they can be snapped up by a curious pet. Use precaution, and give your pet a long, healthy life.

Tomorrow is 'If Pets Had Thumbs Day'

National Black Cat Day

Black cats have it bad in America. The Journal of Applied Animal Welfare found that in shelters, black cats are half as likely to get adopted as are tabby cats and two-thirds less likely to be adopted than white cats.

Many rescue organizations and shelters even have to prohibit the adoption of black cats during October due to the nasty treatment many unfortunately receive.

Black cats and wonderful and should be celebrated.
So, here are top ten reasons why everyone should adopt a black cat:

10. You’ll save money on their Halloween costumes.

9. You can always find them in the snow.

8. Holding a black cat is very slimming.

7. Black cats will match any decor.

6. A link brush isn’t required for a black-tie affair.

5. When you love a black cat, luck is on your side.

4. Black cats are like onyx, a beautiful gem!

3. They love to play just as much as any cat.

2.They are least likely to be adopted.

1. Love knows no color.

Pets in Cars

It’s fun to take your pet in the car when you’re running errands, but in the summer heat, the car can become a potential death trap. Inside temperatures can quickly climb to more than 120 degrees on even a mild sunny day. Never leave your pet unattended inside the car during the summer months. Be sure to bring your pet plenty of water to keep them cool as the season heats up!

Cookouts and family reunions are great activities this time of year. However, the food we often enjoy at these events can make pets sick and even cause Pancreatitis, which is a very serious disease. We want to remind you to bring plenty of food and treats for your pets so they can join in the fun without risking other illness later.

We are AAHA-Accredited!

Avondale Veterinary Healthcare Complex was recently evaluated on almost 900 rigorous veterinary standards of excellence. We are so proud to be one of the 15% of AAHA-Accredited hospital in the United States and Canada! We are AAHA-Accredited and celebrating!

Thunderstorms

We would like to share this tip about how to handle your pets during a storm. Fear of thunder and other loud noises may drive pets to seek shelter. Their attempts to seek immediate shelter may damage property and cause injury to themselves. Pets that react to loud noises can be trained not to panic through a process called progressive desensitization. We can review this process and recommend solutions that may help your pet weather through the storm!

Proper Way to Remove a Tick

Doggie Day Care

Avondale provides a great way for your furry friend to pass the time while you're away during the day. Just drop your pet off on the way to work, or to run your errands, and we’ll take care of your doggie companion all day. Your dog will have a full time "babysitter" playmate, lots of toys to play with, nap time, treat time and he'll meet plenty of other doggie friends so he'll never be lonely. Space is limited, so enroll your pet today!

When temperatures soar, remember to watch your pet closely for signs of heatstroke or dehydration. Because dogs and cats don’t perspire heavily, their body temperatures rise much quicker than people’s body temperatures. We recommend scheduling exercise in the cooler mornings and evenings…and stopping for rest if your pet is lagging behind, even slightly. Plenty of shade and fresh water is a must, and keep your pet inside for those particularly hot afternoons. Just a tip so you and your pet can enjoy this great season together!