Ruby/Cooper Holiday Blog

Ruby

It’s I again, Princess Ruby. Last month I blogged about escaping from Ruby-Traz, which is my version of Alcatraz. Mind you, I do enjoy it here at the clinic. Sometimes I just want to be able to explore what’s on the outside of these walls…and of course taste all of the yummy food the world has to offer! Speaking of food, Thanksgiving has come and gone and do you think I got even a tiny piece of Turkey?!?! Absolutely not! You would think that someone here would have the heart to give this Princess at least a nibble, but, apparently not! It is called ThanksGIVING you know.

We did have a busy November especially with the big wind storm. Unfortunately, a few weeks ago something I believe the humans call a tornado hit around this area. We had several cats and dogs that had to stay with us for shelter. Our awesome staff took them in with open, loving arms while times were rough. The staff helped in trying to find their lost owners. They put pictures and descriptions on Facebook for owners to view. There are still two cats who have not been matched with their owners yet. We aren't sure if they even had a place to call home before the storms, but I do hope that we will find their owners soon. I can barely handle sharing this clinic with Cooper, let alone two more MALE cats!

On a lighter note, Christmas is right around the corner. My favorite holiday, of course!! Everyone here is in the holiday spirit, and not to mention…it’s a time for presents! I feel like I have been an exceptionally good Princess this year. So, I’m sure Santa will bring me lots of goodies.

            “Dear Santa, I like lots of treats! Any kind of treats, lots and lots of treats.”

Well, I should probably get going, Cooper is heading up the….ohh, Cooper, are you ok? He just fell out of the Christmas tree. Silly cat! Every year the technicians tell him not to do that.

Anyway…Merry Cat-mas!

XOXO,

Ruby

Cooper

Hello again, folks!
It’s me Cooper, back to spread some joy. The holidays are fast approaching. This is a time when I notice that most people, even the staff here at the clinic, are very distracted. And it's no wonder, with all of the decorating, shopping, and constant holiday bustle that comes with this time of year.

When you come in to visit us during the holiday season, you'll notice that our lobby is filled with festive decor! One of my favorite decorations is the Christmas tree! I love it! So many colors, ribbons, and lights... but every year, when I finally get a chance out of my busy schedule to climb to the top and "inspect" all of the decorations on the tree, it never fails; one of the girls ALWAYS pulls me down and takes me back to the treatment area. I mean, come on, it is my job to make sure everything's in order both in the treatment area and the front; they should know this!

Now, I can understand why they are concerned. Many cats have hurt themselves trying to climb Christmas tree; whether it be from falling, biting into a string of lights, or even ingesting a long piece of ribbon or tinsel. With “normal” cats, an owner has to be very careful to keep these items away, as some Christmas hazards could even be deadly! But the girls shouldn't worry about me. I've had extensive training.

I don't know about you, but we've still got quite a bit to do before Santa comes! Speaking of the jolly big guy; what presents are you hoping for this year? I know what I’m hoping for!! I could really use a new mouse toy and treats, but I have a feeling that all of the techs are conspiring to give me a dental cleaning. Not that I couldn't use one, but really girls... catnip would be appreciated much more.

Well, I better sign off. I hope to see you in the clinic this month!

Merry Christmas,
Cooper

LOST CAT!!!!

7 DOMINION COURT. HOLIDAY HILLS. 309-241-4995.
4 years old, Grey/White Medium Longhair, 15 lbs, neutered, All claws, microchipped, no collar, last seen on Saturday morning 9/24. Best described as cute & dumb. Very affectionate and docile (lazy). Nasally rasp when he breathes, kind of snorts when you pet him, snores when he sleeps. Contrary to his name, he’s a big cat, long, soft, bushy fur and tail. Tail curls upward.

 

See my little bob tail?

Happy Cat Month

The CATalyst Council has declared September as Happy Cat Month. This month is dedicated to finding ways to keep our feline friends happy, healthy and purring all year long. Click the link below for the top 10 ways to keep your feline friend happy.

Pet of the Month

Fuzzy Putter is our Pet of the Month! Fuzzy is owned by Danny and Traci Buttrum. We are proud to honor Fuzzy this August!

 

Unlikely Friends

Pets & Heat

Now is a wonderful opportunity to have fun and frolic with your pets…but be careful. While exercise is important for pets, overexertion during hot weather can commonly cause heat stress. Make sure your pet has an ample supply of fresh drinking water at all times and a shady spot to retreat to for protection from the midday sun and heat. 

Pets and Trucks

Did you know that riding in the back of trucks is not safe for your pet and in some states it’s actually illegal?  While any dog would love the wind blowing through its fur, other things are blowing through that wind too.  This increases the risk for you dog to get hit with flying debris which might cause injury that you might not even be aware of.  Keep your pet in the cab of the truck, preferably in a crate that will not slide around with sudden stops.  

GROOMING

We would like to remind you to never leave your pet alone in a car during hot weather. Even if parked in the shade with a window open, temperatures can quickly soar to 120 degrees. This type of heat can result in heatstroke and severely harm your pet. Signs of heatstroke include panting heavily, staring, anxious expression, high fever, rapid heartbeat, vomiting, and collapse. If it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for your pet.  Bring them inside where it is cool and be sure to provide access to plenty of fresh, clean water.  

Spring is the perfect time to play with your pet outdoors…but before you grab that Frisbee and dog to go to the park, talk to us about annual examinations, vaccinations and heartworm preventatives. Schedule your pet for their annual vaccinations and yearly heartworm check so that you two can have a great spring season.

 

OPEN HOUSE

Join us at Pekin Veterinary Clinic the first weekend in June for our Open House! Open House's increase awareness of what goes on behind the scenes at our practice and gives the staff an opportunity to show off their skills in a relaxed atmosphere. We would love to have you attend so you can see for yourself the exemplary veterinary services our team is proud to provide to the Tazewell County community.

Pets & Flowers

We would like to remind you that there are many toxic plants and flowers that begin to show up in the spring. Common poisonous flowers include lilies, azaleas, hydrangeas, hemlock, rhododendrons, gladiolus, oleander and hibiscus…all causing vomiting, diarrhea and sometimes death if ingested in large enough quantities. Remove all plants where pets roam unsupervised and, if decorating the inside of your home, please consider using pet-friendly silk flowers instead.

 

Avoiding Easter Hazards!

With the arrival of the holiday season our pets are often prone to new un thought of risks. Nothing makes a holiday more memorable than a panicked trip to the vets. But pet owners need not fret. Here's what you need to know to have an emergency-free celebration this Easter.

Festive Foods:
One of the biggest risks to pets at Easter time is "CHOCOLATE". The canine nose is an expert in sniffing out all the lovely sweet goodies in an instant. And birds, cats & dogs alike are drawn to the bright colors & shiny wrappers. Chocolate contains a compound called theobromine that can be toxic to dogs, cats and parrots. Baker's chocolate has the highest concentration of theobromine. How a pet reacts to chocolate depends on its size, as well as the amount and type of chocolate eaten. Vomiting and diarrhea are common signs of chocolate toxicosis, and while rare, too much chocolate can even be fatal. Carob chocolate is a natural, delicious and pet friendly alternative.

Foil packaging, ribbon and pretty sparkly plastic wadding are irresistible to cats and birds, while a big shiny Easter egg appears as a fun ball for a dog.  Pets love to play with these items and they will sometimes swallow them. Known as linear foreign bodies in vet speak, they are indigestible and can cause a partial or complete obstruction. They are often sharp and run the risk of cutting through the wall of the intestinal tract which can cause peritonitis.

While we all love our pets and wish to include them in the festivities, it is important to remember that now matter how much they beg, what they want may not always be what is best for them. Rich fatty foods can cause an upset stomach, vomiting or even pancreatitis in the extreme. Onions either raw or cooked can be poisonous to cats and dogs. As little as one bite of an onion can cause some of the red bloods cells to be destroyed (haemolytic anaemia) symptoms can include pale gums, reddish urine and lethargy.

It is important to remember never to feed your pets cooked bones as they can splinter and cause internal damage. The same applies to feeding your pets fish which might contain bones. Bowls of nuts and raisin-laden fruitcakes or chocolate covered sultanas are also common holiday treats. Macadamia Nuts are toxic to dogs. Although one nut is not likely to harm your dog, a number of them could require a trip to the emergency ward. Dogs who ingest macadamia nuts could suffer weakness, depression, vomiting, tremors and hyperthermia.

Foods that are healthy for us may not be so good for our beloved pets. Raisins and grapes are toxic to cats and dogs causing vomiting, diarrhea, kidney failure and even death. While avocadoes are harmful to dogs, cats, birds and Guinea pigs. They contain a toxic fatty acid called persin which can cause vomiting, gastrointestinal irritation, congestion, respiratory disease, fluid accumulation around the heart tissue and may cause death, especially in small animals and birds. So please be careful when serving fruit platters or salads this Easter.

One very real concern to pets are products containing the artificial sweetener Xylitol. This absolutely needs to be avoided. It will cause low blood sugar if ingested in toxic amounts and has been known to cause fatal liver failure.
During the festive season it is easy to forget the dangers of leaving alcoholic drinks within reach of our pets. It may seem harmless enough to offer your best mate a frosty cold one to celebrate alongside the humans. But alcohol poisoning is a very real danger to our pets. Problems equate to the amount of alcohol ingested compared to weight. Even a very small amount of alcohol can cause severe poisoning in a small pet. The yeast contained in beer can also lead to bloating and abdominal pain.

The good news is there is now a specially designed non alcoholic doggy beer on the market called *Paw Rex* It is made with beef stock so dogs love it and even comes in a six pack.

It is also important to remember that most cats and dogs are lactose intolerant so avoid giving them any dairy products. Specially designed lactose free animal products are an available alternative.  It's up to us to make sure hazards are kept out of reach and that visitors or children know the risks. Remember prevention is better than cure. For healthy Easter treat alternatives to spoil your best friend, please visit our Pet Gourmet section in this special Easter addition of Pet Scene Magazine.

Unexpected Hazards:
With all the coming and going and busy rush that comes with the holiday seasons it is easy for opportunities to arise to get our pets into trouble. It is not uncommon for visitors who are not used to pets to leave gates or doors open. This welcomes the opportunity for your pet to flee the house with all its strange new smells, noise and people. An open window makes for a great escape root for cats or free flying birds. Many pets wind up getting lost or struck by vehicles as a result of this careless mistake. If you have a pet that becomes nervous around new people or strange activity it may be a good idea to plan in advance to have area of the house or yard which is separate where they can feel safe and secure. Visitors who aren't used to living with pets may inadvertently leave their medications within reach. This brings opportunities for serious problems. Dogs are not deterred by childproof caps and can quickly find themselves in a world of trouble. Warn guests to keep medications well out of reach.

Traveling with pets:
If your going out of town with your pet this Easter there are a few things to remember:

* Make sure your pet is in a cool well ventilated position and never left alone in a closed car, temperatures can sore very quickly.

* Make sure your pet is secured in either a pet crate or safety harness.

* If your pet suffers from motion sickness it's recommended that you consult with your vet prior to travel to arrange an appropriate treatment.

* Make sure you plan for toileting and drink breaks. Our pets need to refresh too. 

* If you are planning to go out on the water these holidays be sure to pack your pet a life vest.

* If you are going on holiday this Easter with your pets, be sure you have a full supply of any medications they may be taking with you.

The humble Easter Lily
Many cat owners will be surprised to learn that lilies ( Liliaceae) are extremely toxic to their feline friends. The exact cause is unknown, however even the smallest amounts if ingested by cats can  be fatal, while dogs who ingest large amounts only develop signs of mild gastrointestinal upset. Early warning signs of Lily toxicity include vomiting, depression and a lack of appetite. There is no antidote, but with early detection and aggressive treatment the cat stands a better chance of survival. Cats may sometimes appear to be improving after the first onset of symptoms, but 24-72hrs later crash and become critically ill as they go into acute renal failure. If you suspect there is a chance your cat may have ingested this plant it is important to seek medical treatment as soon as possible. If left untreated cats die within 3-7 days. Cat owners should never grow Lilies in the garden and should ensure that lilies are never part of floral arrangements. This is important to remember these holidays with the popular Easter Lily appearing  in most flower arrangements.

We hope that these tips will help you and your pets have a happy and safe
holiday season.

The weather is getting warmer and it is the time when we start to fire up our barbeque grills. We want to remind you that barbeque and picnic foods should not be fed to pets.  Please bring plenty of food and treats for your pets so that they can join in on the fun, food and sunshine. 

There are safety concerns that you should be aware of regarding your pets this spring season. One of the main concerns involves lawn and garden products. Fertilizers can be very harmful and even deadly to pets so be sure to keep these products out of reach. Follow the directions on the fertilizer bag to the T!

 

Easter Lilies can be a beautiful decoration in the spring season, but did you know that all parts of the lily plant are considered toxic and dangerous to your cat? If ingested, it can cause severe kidney damage and even death. Please be advised that cat owners should remove lilies out of reach of your cat and consider an alternative to the lily such as Easter Orchids and Easter Daisies. 

Did you know that heartworm, fleas, ticks and other parasites could be prevented?  These pesky critters can wreck havoc on your pet's body.... and…make their lives miserable.  We recommend simple screenings and year round prevention for Heartworm Disease, which can often be fatal, to alleviate your pet from suffering.

Job Shadow

Joanna Timbrook did a job shadow at Pekin Veterinary Clinic not long ago. We were happy to have her with us!

Valued Clients