Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Holiday Safety Tips

Holly, Jolly and Oh-So-Safe! Of course you want to include your furry companions in the festivities, pet parents, but as you celebrate this holiday season, try to keep your pet's eating and exercise habits as close to their normal routine as possible.

And be sure to steer them clear of the following unhealthy treats, toxic plants and dangerous decorations:

O Christmas Tree

Securely anchor your Christmas tree so it doesn't tip and fall, causing possible injury to your pet. This will also prevent the tree water—which may contain fertilizers that can cause stomach upset—from spilling. Stagnant tree water is a breeding ground for bacteria and your pet could end up with nausea or diarrhea should he imbibe.

Tinsel-less Town

Kitties love this sparkly, light-catching "toy" that's easy to bat around and carry in their mouths. But a nibble can lead to a swallow, which can lead to an obstructed digestive tract, severe vomiting, dehydration and possible surgery. It's best to brighten your boughs with something other than tinsel.

No Feasting for the Furries

By now you know not to feed your pets chocolate and anything sweetened with xylitol, but do you know the lengths to which an enterprising fur kid will go to chomp on something yummy? Make sure to keep your pets away from the table and unattended plates of food, and be sure to secure the lids on garbage cans.

Toy Joy

Looking to stuff your pet's stockings? Choose gifts that are safe.

Dogs have been known to tear their toys apart and swallowing the pieces, which can then become lodged in the esophagus, stomach or intestines. Stick with chew toys that are basically indestructible, Kongs that can be stuffed with healthy foods or chew treats that are designed to be safely digestible.

Long, stringy things are a feline's dream, but the most risky toys for cats involve ribbon, yarn and loose little parts that can get stuck in the intestines, often necessitating surgery. Surprise kitty with a new ball that's too big to swallow, a stuffed catnip toy or the interactive cat dancer—and tons of play sessions together.

Forget the Mistletoe & Holly

Holly, when ingested, can cause pets to suffer nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Mistletoe can cause gastrointestinal upset and cardiovascular problems. And many varieties of lilies, can cause kidney failure in cats if ingested. Opt for just-as-jolly artificial plants made from silk or plastic, or choose a pet-safe bouquet.

Leave the Leftovers

Fatty, spicy and no-no human foods, as well as bones, should not be fed to your furry friends. Pets can join the festivities in other fun ways that won't lead to costly medical bills.

That Holiday Glow

Don't leave lighted candles unattended. Pets may burn themselves or cause a fire if they knock candles over.

Be sure to use appropriate candle holders, placed on a stable surface. And if you leave the room, put the candle out!

Wired Up

Keep wires, batteries and glass or plastic ornaments out of paws' reach. A wire can deliver a potentially lethal electrical shock and a punctured battery can cause burns to the mouth and esophagus, while shards of breakable ornaments can damage your pet's mouth.


House Rules

If your animal-loving guests would like to give your pets a little extra attention and exercise while you're busy tending to the party, ask them to feel free to start a nice play or petting session.

Put the Meds Away

Make sure all of your medications are locked behind secure doors, and be sure to tell your guests to keep their meds zipped up and packed away, too.


Careful with Cocktails

If your celebration includes adult holiday beverages, be sure to place your unattended alcoholic drinks where pets cannot get to them. If ingested, your pet could become weak, ill and may even go into a coma, possibly resulting in death from respiratory failure.

A Room of Their Own

Give your pet his own quiet space to retreat to—complete with fresh water and a place to snuggle. Shy pups and cats might want to hide out under a piece of furniture, in their carrying case or in a separate room away from the hubbub.

New Year's Noise

As you count down to the new year, please keep in mind that strings of thrown confetti can get lodged in a cat's intestines, if ingested, perhaps necessitating surgery. Noisy poppers can terrify pets and cause possible damage to sensitive ears.


Originally posted by ASPCA.




























Monday, November 5, 2012

Thanksgiving Safety Tips

‘Tis the season for friends, family and holiday feasts—but also for possible distress for our animal companions. Pets won’t be so thankful if they munch on undercooked turkey or a pet-unfriendly floral arrangement, or if they stumble upon an unattended alcoholic drink.


Check out the following tips from ASPCA experts for a fulfilling Thanksgiving that your pets can enjoy, too.

Talkin’ Turkey

If you decide to feed your pet a little nibble of turkey, make sure it’s boneless and well-cooked. Don't offer her raw or undercooked turkey, which may contain salmonella bacteria.

Sage Advice

Sage can make your Thanksgiving stuffing taste delish, but it and many other herbs contain essential oils and resins that can cause gastrointestinal upset and central nervous system depression to pets if eaten in large quantities. Cats are especially sensitive to the effects of certain essential oils.

No Bread Dough

Don't spoil your pet’s holiday by giving him raw bread dough. According to ASPCA experts, when raw bread dough is ingested, an animal's body heat causes the dough to rise in his stomach. As it expands, the pet may experience vomiting, severe abdominal pain and bloating, which could become a life-threatening emergency, requiring surgery.


Don't Let Them Eat Cake

If you’re baking up Thanksgiving cakes, be sure your pets keep their noses out of the batter, especially if it includes raw eggs—they could contain salmonella bacteria that may lead to food poisoning.

Too Much of a Good Thing

A few small boneless pieces of cooked turkey, a taste of mashed potato or even a lick of pumpkin pie shouldn’t pose a problem. However, don't allow your pets to overindulge, as they could wind up with a case of stomach upset, diarrhea or even worse—an inflammatory condition of the pancreas known as pancreatitis. In fact, it’s best keep pets on their regular diets during the holidays.


A Feast Fit for a Kong

While the humans are chowing down, give your cat and dog their own little feast. Offer them Nylabones or made-for-pet chew bones. Or stuff their usual dinner—perhaps with a few added tidbits of turkey, vegetables (try sweet potato or green beans) and dribbles of gravy—inside a Kong toy. They’ll be happily occupied for awhile, working hard to extract their dinner from the toy.


Originally published by the ASPCA.











Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Lawn and Garden Safety Tips


Does your pet often get into things she shouldn’t? Dogs left unattended in yards may often start trouble, whether by digging holes, rolling in nasty things, or chewing on things that don’t belong to them. It’s important to interact with your pet regularly to avoid the development of this kind of destructive, and potentially dangerous behavior. There are many hazards in the yard that many pet owners aren’t even aware of, from harmful fertilizer chemicals to puddles containing disease. Be kind to your pet, and give them something to do with you!

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Cleaning Your Pet's Toys

Did you know that it's very important to clean your pet's toys, just like you'd clean your child's toys? Your pet's toys are carried primarily in their mouth, so it's important to clean and sanitize them periodically. We recommend disinfecting your NON-POROUS pet toys with a properly diluted bleach solution, followed by a thorough rinsing and airing out to remove any residue, would not be expected to cause harm to your pet. However, if you prefer to use an alternative without the potential for harsh fumes, you can try using hot water along with a mild liquid dish soap, such as Dawn or Palmolive, to clean your pet's toys. Just remember, keep the toy AWAY from your pet until it's been properly rinsed and dried.

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

$1000 Fine for Pets Without Seat Belts

As part of New Jersey’s Click It or or Ticket campaign, drivers are getting a reminder about the potentially hefty fines they’ll face if they’re caught driving with an unrestrained pet.
Under New Jersey Statute 4:22-18, having an unrestrained pet in a vehicle is considered animal cruelty, and drivers who don’t have them restrained will be subject to fines that range from $250 to $1,000 and as much as six months in jail.
“That’s for each offense,” said Col. Frank Rizzo, police superintendent for the New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. “So, if you have more than one animal loose in your car, just do the math…”
The rationale behind the fines is safety, since officials believe that unrestrained animals can become a dangerous distraction and potentially cause an accident injuring drivers and themselves.
“What people come to realize only too late is that animals act like flying missiles in an impact and can not only hurt themselves but hurt their human family members, too,” said Rizzo.
While some states have laws to stop people from driving with pets in their laps or in the back of pickup trucks, New Jersey is the first to require restraints under an animal cruelty law. However, the statute in question is vague and doesn’t specifically say, or even imply, anything about restraints, only stating that animals should not be carried in a vehicle in a “cruel or inhumane manner.”
Incidentally, a ticket for a person not wearing a seat belt is only $46. In regards to distracted driving, the fine for texting while driving is only $100, although lawmakers are trying to double it.
Is just another intrusive money-making scheme for the state, or will it actually help keep pets safe? Do you drive with your pets restrained?
 

Read more: http://www.care2.com/causes/1000-fine-for-pets-without-seat-belts.html#ixzz1zZgTtYsJ

Monday, April 23, 2012

Pets & Lawn Fertilizer

Did you know that lawn fertilizer can be toxic to your pet if consumed? If your dog likes to roll in the grass, dig holes, or lick their feet after coming inside, you should use caution when choosing your lawn fertilizer. Always read all packages carefully before purchasing, as most manufacturers have specific recommendations about how long your pets should remain off the grass after application. When possible, use products specifically labeled as "pet-safe", to lessen the danger.

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Mobilize the Earth for Earth Day 2012

The first Earth Day, on April 22, 1970, activated 20 million Americans from all walks of life to speak out against the deterioration of the environment and demand change. As a result, the Environmental Protection Agency was created, the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species Acts were passed,and the modern environmental movement was born.

Today, more than 1 billion people in 192 countries participate in Earth Day activities each year, making it the largest civic observance in the world. This year, in the face of global inaction on pressing environmental problems, we must harness that power.

Earth Day Network is calling upon individuals, organizations, businesses and governments to Mobilize the Earth™ and demand that environmental issues become a top priority.

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Pets & Easter Lilies

Lilies are a popular Easter flower, but did you know that they can actually be toxic to your pet? Like the Christmas poinsettias, lilies can attract the attention of your pet, especially cats, and then have a toxic effect when ingested. Keep those Easter lilies far from your pet's reach this season, or look into artificial options. The art of artificial flowers have gotten so advanced that your guests won't be able to tell the difference...and your pet will be safe.

Thursday, February 9, 2012

February is Pet Dental Health Month

Can you imagine how your mouth would feel if you NEVER brushed your teeth or visited the dentist? The same goes for your pet. When is the last time you brushed your pet's teeth? If you can't remember the last time, it's definitely time to schedule their dental appointment with us. Call us at 609-520-2000 to schedule your pet's dental appointment today.
 

Friday, January 27, 2012

Attention Clients and Neighbors –

Princeton Animal Hospital has received notice that another feline in the area has tested positive for the Rabies virus. This is the second feline rabies case submitted by Princeton Animal hospital in the last 6 months and we felt an urgency to alert the public to the findings immediately.

Rabies is a virus affecting mammalians and is one of a few known, 100% fatal diseases. The most common causes of infection are from bite wounds from an infected animal. Bats, raccoons, and possums, groundhogs, and fox are the most common carriers, although domesticated animals have been known to do the same. 


Typically, an animal with an active infection will begin to experience neurologic symptoms including but not limited to, wobbly stance or movement, circling, being active outside of the normal known activity times (raccoons out during the day), extreme friendliness or aggression, foaming at the mouth, extremely vocal, loss of fear to people or industry, to name a few. If you suspect that you may see an animal with possible rabies symptoms, call your local animal control office immediately. (Usually can call the police non-emergency line) The most dangerous aspect of this disease is the zoonotic transfer, which means it can pass from species to species without restriction. (Raccoon to human, dog, cat, etc…) 

The best way to practices to protect your pet and family are to do the following. First are foremost, have all pets in your family vaccinated or be up to date on the rabies vaccine. This vaccine is 99.999% effective and significantly reduces the chance of a pet becoming infected. The second major step is to monitor your pet’s outdoor activity. Pets most often interact with other wildlife when they are unsupervised. The combination of vaccination and diligent supervision of your pet should ensure that your pet’s exposure potential is minimal. The third is to report any concerning animals to the local authorities. 


This case came from the East Windsor area and the township has added an alert to their website and bulletin email. 


If your pet is past due for his/her rabies vaccine, please update your pets vaccination protection ASAP. Prevention is the best protection.

Friday, January 20, 2012

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

2011 Most Popular Pet Names

Most popular feline names for females
1. Bella
2. Chloe
3. Lucy
4. Sophie
5. Lily
6. Molly
7. Gracie
8. Princess
9. Sasha
10. Cleo
Most popular feline names for males
1. Max
2. Oliver
3.Tiger
4. Charlie
5. Simba
6. Buddy
7. Smokey
8. Tigger
9. Jack
10. Sammy
Most popular canine names for females
1. Bella
2. Lucy
3. Molly
4. Daisy
5. Maggie
6. Sophie
7. Chloe
8. Sadie
9. Lola
10. Bailey
Most Popular canine names for males
1. Max
2. Buddy
3. Charlie
4. Rocky
5. Bailey
6. Jake
7. Cooper
8. Jack
9. Toby
10. Cody
VPI's compete list of popular pet names for 2011 will be released in early January, 2012.

Monday, January 2, 2012

National Pet Travel Safety Day

Today is National Pet Travel Safety Day! The mission of this day is to save lives by creating awareness of the vital need for pet safety in all areas of travel. Did you and your pet travel over the holidays and if so, what tips might you have for others?