Meet Our Pets  12/14/2011

     Jenna is a one year old Jack Russell Terrier Mix Spayed Female.  She has a smooth white and golden tan coat with perky ears and a no-nonsense attitude.  Jenna would love to chase the varmints from your barn or yard.  She is a diligent worker, never slacking in her duties.  This little cutey is a quick learner.  She enjoys the companionship of another dog, but may chase a cat for the fun of it.  She is a Jack Russell Terrier, what can I say.  She is active and curious, sure to make you laugh at her antics and personality. 

     Making ready for the Holiday Season includes a tree, presents, family meal planning and excited stress from the hustle and bustle. It is a wonderful time to make lasting memories with your family.  Just be sure those memories aren’t the kind made while waiting anxiously in an emergency veterinary clinic.  Pet poisoning incidents increase during the Thanksgiving to New Year season.  Curious pets come into contact with items not seen any other time of the year.  Holly, mistletoe, amaryllis, pine needles and poinsettia commonly cause pet indigestion or worse.  Liquid potpourri can cause burns and irritate the stomach. 

     Branches of the Christmas tree may be a rare indoor treat for your dog, and whatever decorations may be hanging from them.  Place small breakable ornaments high on the tree.  Garland and tinsel should not be within your pet’s reach, as they can get caught in their throat or intestine. 

     Holiday feasts and celebrations often include foods that your pet should not have access to or receive in a hand out.  Chow hounds are especially vulnerable to our excess of “good things to eat” during the holidays.  Their natural instinct to eat anything and everything gets them into trouble every time.  A short list of holiday fare not recommended for your pet include:  alcoholic beverages, chocolate, coffee, onions, fatty good, yeast dough, macadamia nuts, avocado, raisins and dates.

      If this list of pet poisons doesn’t get your attention, here’s another reason to pet proof your holiday: the vet bill.   (Treatment prices quoted here were reported to PetFirst Pet Health Insurance)

      Bones are brittle and sharp pieces can get lodged in your pet’s throat or intestine.  Because poultry bones are hollow, they can break easily.  Cost of treatment to remove a ham bone in the GI tract:  $1,010.00. 

     Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine which can be toxic to dogs.  Cost of treatment for chocolate toxicity:  $1,323.00.

     Garbage cans contain lots of new and tasty smells during the holiday kitchen experience.  Garbage can pilfering poses a significant risk of gastritis and/or a choking hazard for dogs and cats.  Treatment for gastritis for lasagna ingestion:  $264.00. 

     Popular holiday plants, poinsettia, mistletoe and holly can cause vomiting and diarrhea.  Treatment for poinsettia ingestion:  $190.00.  

     Pets who ingest ribbon or tinsel can develop a foreign body obstruction.  Surgery to remove them can be traumatic to your pet, and expensive:  $1,210.00   Do yourself and your pet a favor and beware of these seasonal dangers.  Your holiday will be happier for it. 

     Cats, kittens and dogs at Arnell Humane Society are waiting for you to take them home.  Number one on their Christmas list is a loving forever home, but if that is not possible for you, Dog Biscuits and Cat Toys are second on the list.  Visit our adoptable pets Monday – Friday, Noon – 5 pm, Saturday, Noon – 4 pm.  Arnell Memorial Humane Society, Amery, 715 268-7387 or online:  WWW.ARNELLHUMANE.ORG