Winter 2005-06 Newsletter for Great Falls Animal Hospital

10125 Colvin Run Road
Great Falls, VA 22066
Telephone: 703 759-2330
Email:

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Winter 2005

Holiday Hazard Reminders
The holidays can create special dangers for your pets. Here are a few tips to help keep your pets safe during this special time of year. Increased activity and visitors during the holiday season can upset your pet's routine. Try to keep your pet on his regular schedule for feeding and exercise and be sure he gets plenty of love.

If you are planning to take your pet with you when visiting friends and relatives during the holiday season. Be sure to contact them in advance to find out if your pet is welcome.

Because of the excitement during this season, it might be best for you and your pet to board your pet or hire a reputable pet sitter.

Alcoholic beverages, holiday treats such as chocolates, rich, fatty food scraps, and bones can be harmful or toxic to pets. Keep your pet on his regular diet ant caution visitors against giving your pet "special treats".

Never put ribbons or yarn around your pet's neck and do not allow your pet to play with plastic or foil wrappings or six-pack beverage holders.

Tinsel is not a good decorating option because cats are attracted to it and will ingest it causing intestinal problems. Ribbons offer the same hazard to our playful cats.

Cover or tape down electrical cords.

Poison control number 1-888-426-4435 when you call you will need a credit card; there is a $50.00 fee for service. Website www.aspca.org scroll down for animal poison control center.

Cold weather advice
Housing: Be sure to provide proper shelter for your pets. If yours is an indoor pet, his bed or crate should be kept in a warm, draft-free area, preferably elevated slightly off the floor. Outdoor pets must be provided an insulated pet house or shelter. The house should be elevated enough so that moisture cannot accumulate inside. If possible, provide a "door" (perhaps of canvas) to keep out the winter winds. If the wind chill or other weather conditions become severe, bring your pet inside.

Frostbite: Remove ice and snow from your pet's paws, and coat at once. Frostbitten skin may turn reddish, white or gray, and it may be scaly or sloughing. If you suspect frostbite, take your pet to a warm place immediately. Thaw out frostbitten areas slowly by applying warm moist towls that are changed frequently. Continue until the affected areas become flushed. Contact us as soon as possible; we will probably want to evaluate the seriousness of the condition.

Snow Removal Salt: Some substances produced to melt ice and snow have low to moderate toxicity, depending on the ingredients and amount ingested. Read the labels and take necessary precautions. Keep these products stored in tight containers out of your pet's and children's reach, and be sure to remove salt from your pet's paws immediately. A non toxic option is to use clay kitty litter for traction.

Antifreeze: Even a very small amount of antifreeze can be fatal. Precautions are necessary with all antifreeze products on the market. Read labels and warnings carefully. Thoroughly clean up spills at once. Keep containers closed tightly and store them where pets and children can not get to them.

Napping Cats: Cats sometimes climb onto vehicle engines for warmth. Before starting your vehicle, knock on the hood and honk the horn. Even if your own cat does not have access to your vehicle, a neighbor's cat might have taken shelter there.

Food: Staying warm requires extra calories, so feed your outdoor pet accordingly when the temperature drops. Talk to your veterinarian for advice on feeding your pet.

Water: Always have clean, fresh water available for your pet. If your pet is kept outdoors be sure to check his water frequently since it may freeze.

The results are in!
Great Falls Animal Hospital's first ever photo contest winners are:
1st place Montana Sbarra

2nd place Dixie Stojakovich
3rd place Miho Harper
4th place Junior Tunor
Thank you to everyone who participated in our first annual photo contest. We look forward to more great pictures next year. Keep those cameras at the ready.

Protect your pet
We've often reported on the many dangers facing your pets during the holidays, but it's important you don't drop your guard just because you've put the decorations away. While the dangers of poinsettias, mistletoe, and holly tend to be limited to the holiday season, other things may be in the house all year long.

For instance, especially with Valentine's Day coming, chocolate can be very dangerous. Chocolate contains theobromine, a naturally occurring stimulate found in the cocoa bean. It increases urination and affects the central nervous system as well as heart muscle. The amount of theobromine varies between different types of chocolate. Another important factor is the weight of your dog. Small dogs can be poisoned by smaller amounts of theobromine.

If you suspect your pet has been poisoned, you can call the Animal Poison Control Center at 1-888-426-4435 (they charge a $50 fee for the service).

"Childhood Cancer Stinks"
Artwork by Frances Goldsmith, Dr. Goldsmith's daughter, has been put forward to be on a new license plate to benefit CureSearch National Childhood Cancer Foundation. We need to have 350 paid applications "in hand" when this goes before the General Assembly in January. If you are interested in viewing the plate you can stop by the hospital or send us an e-mail: GFAH@verizon.net. We will e-mail you the sample plate and application.