Photo Credit: International Street Dog Foundation
Happy New Year!!
This year we are going to be keeping a bit more connected with you, our clients! We want to do a couple of newsletters over the year to keep you informed with all that’s happening, not only at Champlin Park Pet Hospital, but also in the community and the veterinary world.
FUN ANIMAL FACT
DID YOU KNOW?!
The fingerprints of a koala are so indistinguishable from humans that they have on occasion been confused at a crime scene.
Mark Your Calendar Now!
Pet Theft Awareness Day – February 14
In honor of pet theft awareness day, we will be offering a special on our microchips. During the week of February 11-16th, all microchips implanted during appointments at our clinic will be only $54.34! This is $20 off the normal price of $74.34, and includes lifetime registration.
https://homeagain.com
February is Pet Dental Awareness Month
Our veterinarians often recommend dental cleaning and evaluations under anesthesia during the physical exam. Periodontal disease includes gingivitis (inflammation [reddening] of the gums) and periodontitis (loss of bone and soft tissue around the teeth). There is a wide range in the appearance and severity of periodontal disease, which often cannot be properly evaluated or treated without general anesthesia for veterinary patients. Bacteria from the mouth can enter the bloodstream and are carried around the body. Studies in dogs have shown that periodontal disease is associated with microscopic changes in the heart, liver, and kidneys.
Please make an appointment for an updated estimate for your pet!
There are many products on the market for oral health. The Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) is an organization that looks at the clinical research behind each product and give their seal for products that are proven to make a difference in tooth and gum health. Their website, with a list of approved products, is available at www.vohc.org, and may be helpful in choosing a toothpaste, toy, treat, chew, or rinse to best fit your needs. We also recommend all products produced by Virbac, whether or not they are on the VOHC list.
What Do You Mean I Can’t Eat That?
January – Sugar Free Products
Xylitol is perfectly safe for humans, but it has the potential to be deadly to your dog. When a pooch chows down on something made with xylitol, the artificial sweetener gets absorbed by his bloodstream much faster than something made with regular sugar does . In response, his pancreas pumps out tons of insulin, a hormone that essentially works to suck up all of the sugar in his blood like a vacuum, says Carol Osborne, D.V.M., author of Naturally Healthy Dogs . This can lead to hypoglycemia, or dangerously low blood sugar, as well as lethargy, vomiting, seizures and could potentially result in liver failure.
February – Valentines Day
Chocolate, flowers, candy, rich foods, and alcoholic drinks are common in our homes as we celebrate Valentine’s Day. If you have cats, please watch out for flower bouquets that include lilies, as lilies are very toxic to cats. Rich foods can cause stomach upset and possibly pancreatitis when ingested by pets. Pets can be sensitive to alcohol, so be certain to keep alcoholic drinks out of reach. Also be careful with having an abundance of chocolate around the household during this time. Chocolate ingestion can result in significant illness. Chocolate is toxic because it contains a chemical called theobromine, as well as caffeine. Theobromine is the predominant toxin in chocolate and is very similar to caffeine. Both chemicals are also used medicinally as a diuretic, heart stimulant, blood vessel dilator, and a smooth muscle relaxant. Dogs cannot metabolize theobromine and caffeine as well as people can. This makes them more sensitive to the chemicals’ effects.
March – Alcohol Toxicity in Pets
Most people know not to give alcoholic drinks to their pets; however, alcohol poisoning in pets is more common than you think! Some pets will drink alcoholic beverages right out of the glass or may lap them off the floor if they spill. Alcohol is also found in surprising places including unbaked yeast bread dough and desserts made with alcohol. When pets ingest rising bread dough , alcohol from the fermenting yeast in the dough is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream and can result in alcohol poisoning. Ingestion of alcohol can cause dangerous drops in blood sugar, blood pressure, and body temperature. Severely intoxicated animals can potentially experience seizures and respiratory failure.
DAYS TO CELEBRATE
January 14: National Dress Up Your Pet Day, National Seeing Eye Dog Day
January 21: National Hug Day, Squirrel Appreciation Day (your dog appreciates squirrels—or at least the chance to chase them)
February 2: Groundhog Day
February 9: National Pizza Day
February 14: Pet Theft Awareness Day, Valentine’s Day
February 20: National Love Your Pet Day
February 26: World Spay Day
Mar 1: National Peanut Butter Lover’s Day
Mar 3: If Pets Had Thumbs Day, International Ear Care Day
Mar 13: K-9 Veterans Day
Mar 14: Pi Day
Mar 17: St. Patrick’s Day
Mar 23: National Puppy Day
Remember to check us out on social media! Follow us on all the sites below!
Facebook: Champlin Park Pet Hospital
Instagram: champlinpark_pethospital
Twitter: @champlinpets
Pinterest: Champlin Park Pet Hospital
And if you’d like to leave us a review on any of the following sites; Google, Yelp, Superpages, Citysearch or Yahoo! We would greatly appreciate it.
