Happy New Year!!!

 Princeton Animal Hospital would like to wish everyone and their pets a safe and Happy New Year!

We're sure you and your pets had a great holiday, but keep them protected from dangers. When the leaves of a Poinsettia plant are chewed on, they can cause localized irritation of the mouth. If dogs or cats drink the water from your Christmas tree, it can cause digestive upset. Be aware of the extra hazards around the holidays, especially when taking down your decorations.

Happy Holidays!

Riverside Veterinary Hospital would like to wish everyone and their pets a safe and Happy Holiday!

Tis the season to be safe!

Tis the season to be safe! It’s easy for pets to get into trouble during the holidays. Look at all the fun stuff we provide for their curiosity. Gifts, decorations and holiday foods pose dangers for all pets. Be aware of the extra hazards around the holidays. Cats love to play with ribbons and tinsel! If ingested they can sometimes act as foreign bodies causing intestinal blockages. Make sure that your pets are protected from all the festivities this holiday season.

Winter Pet Dangers

Increase in Coughing Dogs at Princeton Animal Hospital

 In the past two weeks Princeton Animal Hospital has seen a dramatic increase in coughing dogs after being exposed to other dogs in dog parks, pet stores, groomers, kennels, etc. Other symptoms that some dogs (but not all) have presented with are:

-Fever
-Coughing
-Pneumonia
-Lethargy
-Runny nose, with either clear or purulent discharge -Sneezing -Anorexia or poor appetite

The two most common diseases that these symptoms fit are Canine Influenza and Kennel Cough.

Fever and nasal discharge are more commonly seen with Influenza rather than Kennel Cough. At this time we suspect (although it is not proven) that the Princeton area is having a Canine Influenza outbreak.

Both these diseases are transmitted via airborne passage and are spread from dog to dog. They can travel up to 10-20 feet through the air. At this time there have been no reported cases of either of these diseases crossing species (meaning it is highly unlikely to be transmitted to people, cats, or other types of animals). The virus is easily killed on surfaces such as tables and floors with routine disinfecting. You can clean fabrics in a hot water cycle with detergent in the washing machine.

Canine Influenza is particularly dangerous in that it is a new virus and dogs do not have any underlying natural immunity. This means that any unvaccinated dog that comes in contact with it will contract the disease. Each individual pet will vary in how ill they will become.

Eighty percent will just come down with a bad cough, fever, maybe low grade pneumonia, and feel poorly for a few days. A smaller percentage will become sicker, and will require hospitalization with IV fluids for hydration and oxygen for pneumonia. However, 5% of all those dogs that contract Canine Influenza will develop such a bad pneumonia that they can die from the disease (similar to people and their flu viruses).

The incubation period is 2-4 days. Dogs can shed the virus in massive quantities 24 hours before they even develop symptoms. Thus, dogs that seem healthy but are shedding the virus are still going to dog parks and pet stores and infecting other healthy dogs. They stop shedding the virus around day 10. However, depending on the extent of pneumonia or lack of pneumonia, they can cough for 1-3 weeks.

There are vaccines for both Kennel Cough and Canine Influenza. Dogs can still acquire either of these diseases in spite of being vaccinated, but their symptoms are dramatically reduced and risk of pneumonia and severe illness is miniscule if he or she is vaccinated.

Again, this is very similar to humans receiving a flu shot each year.

If your pet is coughing, having trouble breathing, lethargic, not eating well, or seems hot to the touch, and has been recently exposed to other dogs, please call us. We will want to see your pet and give them a thorough physical. We may take chest X-rays to look for pneumonia if the doctor thinks it’s necessary.

Our hospital protocol during this time:

- No coughing dogs are allowed in the waiting room.

- Please call us from your car once you have arrived.

- A technician will meet you outside and escort you to a side door and into our “isolation room.”

- At this time we are not routinely testing specifically for Canine Influenza. This is similar to when swine flu hit the human population and doctors stopped testing specifically for swine flu and began presumptively treated anyone who had symptoms.

- We are strongly advising all pets that participate in “at risk”

activities (pets that frequently visit groomers, kennels, dog parks, doggie day care, training facilities, and pet stores) be vaccinated for not only Bordetella (Kennel Cough) but also Canine Influenza, even if your kennel or groomer doesn’t require it.

- We do not use Tamiflu in dogs with Influenza.

- We very often do prescribe an antibiotic to reduce secondary bacterial infections and pneumonia.

- We apologize for the inconvenience but we must decrease exposure to healthy pets coming in for routine care and vaccines. This is especially important for the young and old since they are at more risk for developing severe illness with Canine Influenza.

- If your pet is diagnosed with either Kennel Cough or Canine Influenza and are deemed infectious, please refrain from exposing other dogs to your pet.

Thank you,

Princeton Animal Hospital

Traveling with your pets this holiday season?

The holidays are approaching and many people are traveling to visit their families. Do you have any interesting holiday pet travel tips or stories to share? Leave a comment telling us your pet travel tips.

Stocking up on all the holiday goodies?

Are you stocking up on all the holiday goodies?  Beware of guests who may give your pet cookies, chocolate and other sweets. Those treats are not healthy for them. Your pet’s digestive system is not adapted for such rich foods, and chocolate contains theobromine, which can be harmful and sometimes fatal. Keep plenty of treats especially for your pet around so they don’t get the urge to try and sample some of your holiday feast. Just a tip from Princeton Animal Hospital.

Holiday Myths Debunked!

Holiday Pet Poisoning Myths Debunked!

Veterinarians at Pet Poison Helpline Clear the Confusion

Holiday festivities, decorations and rich foods can wreak havoc on undiscerning pets who love to taste test everything that appears new and interesting. While pet owners need to be made aware of the very real and dangerous threats to pets this time of year, the veterinarians at Pet Poison Helpline would also like to debunk several common myths that cause unnecessary stress each holiday season.

Holiday Myths Debunked!
According to the veterinarians at Pet Poison Helpline, these are the most common myths concerning pet safety during the holiday season.

Myth #1 - Poinsettias are highly toxic. Although they have a bad rap, poinsettia plants (Euphorbia pulcherrima) are only mildly dangerous to dogs and cats and their relative toxicity has been quite exaggerated. The most problematic component of the plant is its sticky white sap that may cause mild mouth or stomach irritation if ingested. Contact with the skin may also result in mild irritation. However, serious poisoning is not expected from ingestion.
Myth #2 - Mistletoe is toxic. Like poinsettias, American mistletoe, which is a popular plant used as holiday décor, also gets a bad rap. Rumors of its toxic nature are largely attributed to its cousin, European mistletoe. Though ingestion of American mistletoe leaves or berries may cause mild stomach upset, serious or life-threatening poisoning is not likely.
Myth #3 - Fruitcake is a healthy holiday treat. While fruitcake may be a fine food for people, it can actually be deadly to pets. Grapes, raisins and currants are common ingredients in fruitcakes and can result in kidney failure in dogs if ingested. Additionally, fruitcake that has been soaked in rum or other alcohol may also prove poisonous to your pet if ingested. Alcohol is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream and can affect pets quickly, causing a dangerous drop in blood sugar, blood pressure and body temperature. Intoxicated animals can experience seizures and respiratory failure.
Myth #4 - Tinsel is a pet-friendly decoration. An ornament that pet owners should avoid is tinsel for decorating trees. If you own a cat, toss the tinsel! What looks like a shiny toy can prove deadly if ingested. While tinsel itself is not poisonous, it can result in a severe linear foreign body, which occurs when something “stringy” wraps around the base of the tongue or anchors itself in the stomach, rendering it unable to pass through the intestines. As the intestines contract and move, the string can slowly saw through the tissue, resulting in severe damage to your pet’s intestinal tract. Treatment involves expensive abdominal surgery. It’s best to keep tinsel, as well as ribbon, yarn and thread out of your pet’s reach.
“Dogs, cats, birds and other pets often use their mouths to investigate new things,” said Ahna Brutlag, DVM, assistant director at Pet Poison Helpline. “Much like small children, they simply cannot resist the temptation to chew on potentially harmful plants, foods and other ‘goodies.’  Thankfully, it’s easy for pet owners to educate themselves about common pet poisons. At www.petpoisonhelpline.com you can view and print our list of toxic foods and post it on your refrigerator as a reminder. This is also a way to discourage your holiday guests from feeding Fido poisonous people food!”

Real Holiday Dangers
Lilies, including tiger, Asiatic, stargazer, day and Easter, make lovely centerpieces but are also extremely toxic to cats. These beauties fall into the category of real and acute danger. As little as one or two petals or leaves, and even the pollen, can cause sudden kidney failure. They should be kept well out of kitty’s reach. Thankfully, dogs are not as severely affected by lilies with only mild stomach upset expected.
While not as toxic as lilies, ingestion of Christmas cactus by dogs and cats can cause vomiting and diarrhea. Likewise, the spiny and leathery leaves of the Christmas or English holly can result in significant damage to the stomach and intestines of dogs and cats. The holly’s berries have mildly toxic properties, but are fairly tolerable in most pets. While death is not likely, it’s best to keep your pets away from these holiday plants. 
Filling your house with the smell of nutmeg or pine is inviting, but if you heat scented oils in a simmer pot, be aware that it can cause serious harm to your cat. Some liquid potpourris contain chemicals called cationic detergents, which can result in severe chemical burns in the mouth, fever, difficulty breathing and tremors. Dogs are not as sensitive to the chemicals but may still suffer burns so it’s still better to be safe than sorry. Scent your home with a non-toxic candle in a safe no-pet zone.
With the holiday season comes delightful baked goods, confections and other rich, fattening foods. However, it is not wise, and sometimes quite dangerous, to share these foods with your pets. Keep them on their regular diets over the holidays and do not let family and friends sneak them these kinds of treats. Some of the most dangerous foods are chocolate and cocoa, sugarless gum and candy containing xylitol, leftover fatty meat scraps, and unbaked bread dough containing yeast.
Make this holiday season merrier for you and your pets by keeping dangerous items safely out of their reach. If, however, you think your pet may have ingested something harmful, take action immediately. Contact your veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline at 1-800-213-6680.
About Pet Poison Helpline
Pet Poison Helpline is a service available 24 hours, seven days a week for pet owners and veterinary professionals who require assistance treating a potentially poisoned pet. The staff can provide treatment advice for poisoning cases of all species, including dogs, cats, birds, small mammals, large animals and exotic species. As the most cost-effective option for animal poison control care, Pet Poison Helpline’s fee of $35 per incident includes unlimited follow-up consultations. Pet Poison Helpline is available in North America by calling 1-800-213-6680. Additional information can be found online at www.petpoisonhelpline.com.                       

Pet of the Month

In the year 2002 Mollie walked up to the front steps of a home and looked through the window.  She had wondered up to her house with her baby boy in tow.  She was very lucky that she found someone who would care for her, because she had several ailments!  She was positive for both heartworm and Lyme disease.  She also had intestinal parasites and needed treatment for all three.  They found her puppy a wonderful home and Mollie successfully completed treatment for all her conditions.
    Mollie passed her Canine Good Citizen test in 2004.  The Good Citizen program is run by the American Kennel Club. It is a 10 step training program that rewards dogs who have good manners in the home and community.  Mollie did well because she loves people and can’t get enough of them!
    Mollie is now, what is estimated, to be around a 14 years old pitbull mix.  Although Mollie is sweet, she has proven to be a very tough girl pulling through several surgeries in the past couple of years.  In 2005 she had a Mast Cell Tumor removed.  Mast Cell Tumors are histamine producing tumors of the immune system.  They can be fast spreading if not caught early.  Then in 2007 she needed surgery to fix the ruptured blood vessels in her ear that had caused a hematoma.
    In 2009 she went through one of her toughest surgeries when she had her spleen removed.  She pulled through with flying colors, but by this year she had another mass growing on her hind end.  The mass was aspirated and the cells were sent out to the lab to be evaluated.  It came back as an anal sac adenocarcinoma, or cancer.  The mass was removed and Mollie started chemotherapy.
    Mollie is currently receiving chemotherapy and is doing real well with her treatment.  Mollie is a favorite at Princeton Animal Hospital. She is a brave sweet soul who has been through a lot in her life. Keep her in your thoughts!

Guinea Pigs

Guinea Pigs make great family pets. They are one of my favorite small mammals.

They are friendly, very social, talkative and easy to care for. They typically live 5-7 years when cared for properly. Guinea pigs do best when kept in pairs, ideally same sex pairs to avoid breeding. Females kept in pairs rarely fight if introduced young.

An ideal environment is a cage that allows the guinea pig adequate space to move around and hide. Approximately 4-6 square feet is best with a wire top cage that allows adequate ventilation. An aquarium fish tank type cage is inappropriate, these cages do not allow adequate ventilation. If the cage has a wire bottom, a portion of the cage floor should be covered with soft bedding or a towel to avoid pressure sores on the feet. The safest bedding is a recycled paper called carefresh bedding. This has minimal dust and is unlikely to contain parasites like wood shaving type bedding. This will help avoid respiratory diseases and parasitic skin infections. Guinea pigs also like to hide, they should be supplied with houses or hollow logs to hide in.

The most important part of guinea pig care is the diet they are fed. If the diet is incorrect it leads to many health problems. Guinea pigs require 50 mg of vitamin C daily. Most animals can make vitamin C inside their body, guinea pigs cannot. The best way to supplement is to give a 50 mg tablet daily as a treat. Oxbow pet company makes a tasty chewable supplement. Vitamin C is added to most foods but is quickly destroyed when the food is exposed to air and light. Vitamin C can be added to the drinking water, but it is sensitive to light so if added to water it should be changed daily. Also, some guinea pigs do not like the taste of the vitamin c in the water and therefore will not drink enough water. Water can be fed in a water bottle or in a heavy ceramic bowl so it cannot be tipped over. Water should be changed frequently and plastic bowls should not be used because guinea pigs like to chew the plastic and bacteria will live on plastic bowls.

Hay is the second most important part of caring for a guinea pig. They should be offered timothy, oat or grass hay in unlimited amounts daily. Alfalfa hay can be fed in small amounts. Feeding hay will help keep their back teeth evenly worn. Guinea pig teeth grow continuously and need to be worn down by chewing or the teeth can become overgrown and cause sores in the mouth. This eventually causes pain and infection.

Pelleted food should be fed sparingly at approximately 1 tablespoon daily. Young guinea pigs can be fed alfalfa pellets and once they are fully grown adults they should be switched to timothy pellets. Only small bags of food and hay should be purchased at a time to preserve freshness of the food and vitamins inside the food.

When buying or adopting a guinea pig be sure to handle them and look closely at the eyes, nose, skin and coat. If you notice discharge from the eyes or nose, hair loss, scaly skin or extreme itchiness do not purchase or adopt that pet or be sure to have it examined by a veterinarian immediately. Also, do not purchase/adopt a guinea pig that is very nervous or attempts to bite when handled.

Guinea pigs should be examined by a veterinarian soon after purchase to be sure there is no sign of illness. They also should be examined as soon as you notice a problem. Guinea pigs become sick and get worse very quickly. If you notice that your guinea pig is not eating, drooling, has a runny nose or eyes, labored breathing, diarrhea, hair loss or appears very itchy please have them seen as soon as possible.

Kelly Ross, DVM


Websites for further information about guinea pigs
http://www.oxbowanimalhealth.com/
http://www.carefresh.com/
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/

Decorating Dangers

The holidays are a great time for everyone, including your pet, but take precautions this decorating season. Glass ornaments and tinsel can be harmful if swallowed. Extension cords, if chewed, can electrocute your pet. Keep pets safe while decorating for the holiday season.

Christmas Pet Safety

The holidays are quickly approaching!

This is a special time for everyone, including your furry family members. When preparing for the festivities, it is always important to consider your pets because we often don't realize that they can get sick from the things we take for granted...like the plants that we bring in for the holiday! Mistletoe, Poinsettias and Holly are a few that can be dangerous if consumed. Protect your pet as you start to decorate for the holiday season.

My name is Cassandra and I’m a veterinary technician at the Princeton Animal Hospital. We work with healthy animals, sick pets, and life-or-death situations on a daily basis. Having worked here for almost 2 years, I already knew the staff was knowledgeable and friendly. I never realized the impact the Princeton Animal Hospital’s staff really has on the families of our patients until I experienced it first hand.

            On Sunday, October 10, 2010, my dog Luna, a four year old Welsh Corgi, started showing abnormal urinary signs. She urinated a normal amount at 11 AM, but shortly after, she was straining to urinate. I brought her to work with me that day to have Dr. Jones examine her. She had a normal temperature and heart rate, and her lungs sounded clear. The only abnormality Dr. Jones found was a slight tenseness in her abdomen. This tenseness can be associated with urinary tract infections or bladder stones. Dr. Jones recommended x-rays, blood work, or sending her home on antibiotics. Because she is a young, healthy dog, and was having no other urinary issues, I decided to take her home with antibiotics.

            As soon as I got home that night, she passed a stone and began urinating large amounts of urine with blood in it. I assumed this blood was normal because she had just passed a stone, but, just to be safe, I immediately called Princeton Animal Hospital. The doctor and I discussed whether this was an emergency: should I bring her right out or could it wait until the morning? The doctor said there wasn’t a major blood vessel that would cause any profuse bleeding. I decided to wait until morning since she would only be alone for a few hours overnight.

            When I woke up the next morning, Luna was laying on the floor, cold, covered in bloody urine, and barely responsive! At the Princeton Animal Hospital, there are technicians available 24 hours a day to help with emergencies, so I called immediately. I told them she had taken a sudden downhill turn and was very sick, and I was on my way. I was nervous I wasn’t going to make it in time, and blasted the heat in my car to keep her temperature up.

            Once I arrived, Aleisha, the overnight technician, helped me take her inside. She placed an I.V. catheter in her leg and started giving her fluids. Dr. McCann took her temperature, checked her blood pressure, and ran blood work. While they were working with her, the rest of the morning staff arrived. All the doctors and technicians helped with my sweet Luna! They took x-rays and found she had a bladder full of stones. The owner of the Princeton Animal Hospital, Dr. James Miele, assured me that he would perform the surgery to remove the stones once she was stable. I knew this surgery would be costly, but I was willing to do anything to save my Luna’s life! After the diagnostic tests were competed and Luna was stable, Dr. Miele performed the surgery. Luna was ready to go home after a few more days in the hospital! I will never be able to thank everyone enough for saving Luna. I am so happy to have her back! It’s a relief to know I can call anytime, day or night, for emergencies. Today, Luna is again, a healthy happy dog thanks to the staff at the Princeton Animal Hospital. 

Discounted Dental Cleaning for your pet!

For the entire month of December, and last two weeks of November, we are offering our most conscientious pet owners a chance to get their pet’s teeth cleaned at a discounted price.  The lower cost is designed so you have the chance to learn about how healthy your dog or cat’s mouth is. Make your pets dental appointment at Princeton Animal Hospital today!

Missing a turkey wing?

Missing a turkey wing? To make sure your dinner doesn't fly away, we want to remind you to have plenty of food and treats for your four-legged friend on Thanksgiving. Remind your guests to please “do not” feed the pets. Those tasty turkey bones can splinter and perforate the stomach and other major organs. Ingesting a bone is a common holiday hazard. Cooked poultry bones may seem like the perfect gift for your pet, but do him a favor and save them for the soup. Even large cooked bones are prone to splintering, which can pierce through the animal’s intestines. Keep pets safe this Thanksgiving holiday.

Thanksgiving Pet Safety Tips

A Message from Princeton Animal Hospital...

Dear Valued Client,

If you have been coming to us for awhile, you no doubt have heard us talk about oral health care for your pet.  Well, now we would like to give you an opportunity to make it happen.  For the entire month of December (and last to weeks of November) we are offering our most conscientious pet owners a chance to get their pet’s teeth cleaned at a discounted price.  The lower cost is designed so you have the chance to learn about how healthy your dog or cat’s mouth is, to see how straight forward a dental prophylaxis procedure is, and to teach you ways to keep your pet’s teeth clean long into the future, even if you have failed at brushing them in the past.

Dental prophylaxis or dental scaling is done at our office in the same way that it is done when you go the dentist (except we do your pet a favor by giving them something to sleep through the procedure).  During the scaling, a veterinarian will thoroughly examine the oral cavity, diagnose any decay and proceed to clean up the mouth to get it on its way to sound health. In one afternoon, years of tartar and plaque are ultrasonically scaled away and the source of billions of cells of harmful bacteria is removed.  Without the scaling, these bacteria would continue to bleed into the venous system causing long term and irreparable damage to vital organs like the heart, kidney and liver, but once removed, the bacteria load will be eradicated and the harmful effects of the germs entirely wiped away.  We even provide your loved one with a fluoride treatment when they’re finished, just like mom and dad get when they go to the dentist.

Please call us today to book an appointment.  Once your pet’s mouth is cleaned, you’ll immediately notice how much healthier your dog or cat behaves, how much better they chew and eat, how much better they feel.  During your phone call, our well trained Animal Care Providers will be able to answer any questions you may have and also be able to generate an estimate of how much the procedure will cost.  So let’s make sure that this holiday season, if someone encounters your pet under the mistletoe, they’ll want to receive that sloppy kiss J  Appointments are limited, so please call quickly.

As always, we look forward to seeing you,

Jim and Terry Miele and the rest of the Princeton Animal Hospital, Carnegie Cat Clinic Gang. 

Celebrating the holidays at your house this year?

We want to remind you to keep an eye on the foods your pet eats during this time. Some foods like chocolate or onions can be toxic to your pet, while other fatty foods such as meats and cheeses can cause pancreatitis, a painful GI condition that often requires hospitalization.  To keep your pet safe and healthy, keep hard to resist items out of reach and feed only foods and treats made specifically for him or her. Just a fall reminder from the staff at Princeton Animal Hospital.

OBI is our Pet of the Month!

On a cold rainy night in late October, our hospital was preparing to see one of our clients for an urgent care appointment.  Dr. Nieh was on her way to the hospital and the 24 hour technical staff had been busy preparing for the client who would be arriving shortly.  No one knew that in the next few moments we were about to face one of the most difficult situations that a veterinary hospital can face. 

As Dr. Nieh pulled into the parking lot, she quickly scanned the parking lot to see if she had arrived before our client.  With a quick jerk of the steering wheel, she cut the nimble car left than right.  She knew she just missed something, but could not be sure what it was.  As she got out of her car, she scanned the parking lot, but did not see anything.  Was she mistaken?  She thought the long hours and second trip out to the hospital that night to see one of our patients in need might be catching up with her, but she pressed on.  Dr. Nieh was now in the zone as she walked towards the door, going through her mental check list of what she would need for this patient.  As she swiped her card to unlock the door she briefly paused…Did she just hear something?  She looked back one more time before proceeding through the door.  Just then, she was startled by something.  A quick brush between her legs caught her off guard.  Dr. Nieh let out a frightening scream and sent the staff running to her aid.  It was then that she realized what was happening.  OBI had made his was into our hospital.  OBI dashed into our treatment area, then to our dental suite before finally resting in our technician office. 

The staff did not know what to do…Who is OBI?  As it turned out, Obi had been tied to one of our pillars during the night and managed to chew himself free.  The bullet our doctor dodged was in fact Obi in the parking lot.  He was cold, scared, and lonely.  The thing every hospital fears I spoke of had arrived, an abandoned pet.  Obi comes more and more out of his shell everyday.  We hope we will be able to find him a home and maybe with your help, we can give this poor boy the security he needs to thrive.  Obi has become our pet of the month for November.  More to come on his path to a home…

WELCOME BACK DR. KELLY ROSS!

Guess Who’s Back???

Princeton Animal Hospital and the Carnegie Cat Clinic are proud to welcome back Dr. Kelly Ross to our veterinary team.  For those of you who know Dr. Ross, I am sure you are as excited as we are to have her back on our team. 

Kelly came to our practice in the summer of 2008 and spent over a year with us building excellent relationships with our staff, patients, and clients alike.  In June of 2009, we were saddened to hear Dr. Ross would be leaving us as her husband accepted a position at the University of Texas.  Upon moving to Texas, Dr. Ross joined Veterinary Health Care Concepts (Hulen Hills General Practice & Metro West Emergency Practice), a very well known general and emergency practice in Fort Worth.  Over the past year, she has gained a tremendous amount of emergency experience and had the opportunity to see many unusual cases ranging from Rattlesnake bites, to toxic episodes, to trauma. 

Dr. Ross and her husband are back in the area and expecting their first child.  We are so very happy to once again offer Dr. Ross’s services to our clients.  Please join us in welcoming her clan back to our family, she is truly and awesome Veterinarian. 

Protect pets from the cold this season...

If your pet enjoys playing outdoors this time of year, be sure to provide them with appropriate shelter from the cold weather we can experience. Nobody likes to be stuck outside in the wind and cold. Be sure to keep an eye on your pets and let them inside if you notice the weather taking a turn for the worse. Just a fall tip from your friends at Princeton Animal Hospital.

He loves helping out around the house!

November Seasonal Tip from Princeton Animal Hospital

Just because the leaves are falling doesn’t mean the fleas and ticks have gone.  Falling leaves bring jumping fleas that will make your pet’s life miserable until a hard freeze wipes them out.  We can recommend remedies to alleviate your pet’s suffering from these pesky critters. Just a fall tip from the staff at Princeton Animal Hospital.

Happy Halloween!

Visit Princeton Animal Hospital's Youtube Channel!

Visit Princeton Animal Hospital's Youtube Channel and view a Halloween Pet Safety video to ensure your pet has a happy and healthy Halloween.

Click here to go to Princeton Animal Hospital's Youtube Channel!

Halloween Pet Safety Tip

Trick or Treat! Halloween means it’s time to keep your pets away from all the goody bags your children bring home. Remember that foil wrappers on candies may cause internal injuries if swallowed and candy, especially chocolate, may cause digestive upset and be harmful to your pet. Gum and candy containing the sweetener Xylitol can cause a drop in blood sugar, resulting in depression, loss of coordination and seizures. Be careful what you feed your pets during this season of tricks and treats…Just a Halloween tip from the staff at Princeton Animal Hospital.

Do you and your dog enjoy visiting the dog park? Here are some important tips to keep in mind before your next visit...

Dog Parks Aren’t Without Dangers

Vet association highlights the potential health risks of taking a dog to a dog park.

Posted: October 18, 2010, 2 a.m. EDT

Dog parks are wonderful places for dogs – and dog lovers. But experts warn that owners should be aware that dog parks are not without dangers.

“Dog parks are fun places to exercise and socialize your dog,” says Dean Henricks, D.V.M., California Veterinary Medical Association president. “However, they can also harbor health risks, and they’re not for all dogs.”

Henricks says there are some important points owners should keep in mind before visiting a dog park. Read on for his advice.

Before your visit

• Keep your dog’s vaccinations current. Other dogs may not be up-to-date on vaccinations, and your dog could be exposed to diseases.
• Socialize your dog – to other dogs and people – before going to any dog park.
• Make sure your dog knows basic commands like Sit, Stay, Come and Leave it.
• Remember, you are personally and legally responsible for your dog.

At the dog park

• Observe the dogs inside the park before entering. Are the dogs playing nicely? Are their owners watching the dogs and picking up after them promptly?
• Keep an eye on your dog at all times.
• Small dogs should go to dog parks that have separate areas for smaller breeds. Untrained larger dogs may perceive small dogs as prey or engage in rough play.
• Take water for your dog to drink. Water stations at the park have been used by other dogs and wildlife and may be a source of disease.
• Follow the dog park rules. They generally include licensing requirements, leash laws and a minimum-age requirement for children.

After your visit

• Clean your dog’s paws when you leave the park to minimize the risk of parasites or diseases from the soil.
• Watch your dog for any sign of injury.
• Have your veterinarian check your dog regularly for parasites.
• Talk to your veterinarian about any precautions you should take with your dog due to his age, size, temperament or health.

Dog Park Link