I hope you and yours had a great Thanksgiving, we certainly did. The grandchildren were playing chase in the house, bringing back memories of when their parents were young. We’re looking forward to Christmas. We have mentioned the Christmas hazards to the pets in past years, and it’s worth refreshing your memory.

 

1. Young pets love to chew on electric cords resulting in mouth burns and worse.
2. Kittens like to climb Christmas trees and it all comes tumbling down.
3. Ornaments are attractive to pets to chew and eat. Though rough on the tummy and might even need to be extracted.
4. Christmas tinsel is irritant to the tummy and may require surgical removal.
5. Excess chocolate can be toxic.
6. Leftovers can cause upset tummies.
7. Pets for gifts need to have a physical exam and vaccinations.
8. Children and young pets need supervision.
9. Parties can be frightening to pets.
10. Be sure to match the pet with your family and lifestyle if you are thinking of a pet for a gift.
     

LEPTOSPIROSIS: A disease commonly seen in young animals primarily affecting the kidneys but can be a systemic condition. Vaccines have significantly reduced the incidence of Leptospirosis. Unfortunately the vaccine must be boosted annually. Recently, Leptospirosis is beginning to be seen more frequently because of annual boosters being overlooked. The disease is spread primarily by urine exposure of wild infected animals primarily raccoons and rodents. Our pets can be a source of infection to other pets and being a zoonotic disease can be infectious to the pet owner. When exposed to the excrement of these sources, good sanitation is required.

 

All of our family and employees would like to wish you, your family and your pets a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS, A HAPPY HOLIDAY AND AN ESPECIALLY GOOD NEW YEAR.

 

Dr. J., Sandy, Misty, Tracy, Andrea and Aimee.

 

INDIAN RIVER ANIMAL HOSPITAL, INC

801 U.S. #1 VERO BEACH, FL. 32960

772-567-4324

772-567-4325

E-MAIL: USER32960@AOL.COM

WEB SITE: IRAHINC.COM