Dec.05

Newsletter INDIAN RIVER ANIMAL HOSPITAL

It’s that time of the year again where families get together and reminisce, eat to excess, and generally have a good time. During the Thanksgiving holidays, we were fortunate to have everyone together at one time or another. Now, time to catch our breath and get ready for the Christmas season.

Dr. Marj. and Mathew Williams spent Thanksgiving with us and will be in Alabama for Christmas. The grandchildren are getting anxious and are making grandma and me feel almost young again.

Christmas time warrants mentioning these pet safety tips:

1. Young pets love to chew on electric cords with resultant mouth burns and worse.

2. Kittens like to climb Christmas trees and they comes tumbling down.

3. Ornaments and tensile are attractive to pets to chew and eat. Rough on the tummy and might even need to be

extracted surgically.

4. Excess chocolate can be toxic.

5. Leftovers can cause upset tummies.

6. Gift pets need to have a physical exam and vaccinations.

7. Children and young pets need supervision.

8. Parties can be frightening to pets.

9. Be sure to match the pet with your family and your lifestyle if you are thinking of adopting a pet.

NOSE BLEEDS:

Remember those nose bleeds that we had when we were kids that occurred for no apparent reason. (and not the neighbor hood bully) Mother would put ice on our nose and raise our head up and eventually the bleeding would stop. Well, we have the same problems with our pets. Some of the causes may be as inconsequential as trauma chasing a squirrel and the squirrel zigs to go up the tree and the dog doesn’t, an encounter with a car or a change in the ambient temperature and humidity which dries the nasal mucosa causing a small capillary bleeding. Allergies can irritate the nasal sinuses with the resultant bleeding.

The chronic reoccurring nose bleeding is reason to be concerned. Sinus infections can cause ulcerations of the nasal lining, cancer and fungus infections are culprits that must be chased down. Occasional, liver conditions can disrupt blood-clotting mechanisms located in the liver. Decreased platelets counts in the blood caused by bone marrow cancer and autoimmune disease will affect the ability of the blood to clot. Rat poison is a common culprit and seen often in our area. When using this material care must be given to insure no pets inadvertently are exposed to it. This poison acts on the principal of preventing blood clotting with resulting hemorrhage and death. These are some of the causes of persistent nosebleeds that are checked out when the condition is chronic.

We at Indian River Animal Hospital are looking forward to a wonderful Christmas and wish our clients a GREAT HOLIDAY SEASON. We appreciate you allowing us to provide veterinary service for you pet. We try to provide quality care through continuing veterinary education and sophisticated instrumentation.

Web site: www.IRAHINC.COM

MERRY CHRISTMAS, HAPPY HOLIDAYS

AND A

VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!

E- MAIL :IRAH.com