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Greetings!
We hope everyone is enjoying the fall weather. Thanksgiving is coming. Check out some of our suggestions below on how to keep your pet healthy and happy during the festivities.
Let us know what you would like to see in future newsletters.
Sincerely,
The Okaw Vet Clinic Staff |
Thanksgiving is just around the corner. Here are a few tips to help your pet stay safe during the holiday.
1) Do not let your pet chew on turkey, ham or other bones. The bones can make your pet sick. They can poke through your pet's intestine. They can also form a clump and block your pet's intestine.
2) Don't feed your pet people food. People food is higher in fat and can cause your pet to have an upset stomach, vomiting and diarrhea. Small dogs can often become sick with pancreatitis.
3) Don't let your dog or cat eat chocolate candy. The chocolate can cause them to vomit, have diarrhea, seizures, hyperactivity, increased thirst, urination and heart rate. If they eat several pieces, they can become very sick. Dark chocolate and Baking chocolate are more toxic than milk chocolate.
4) Don't let your dog or cat eat sugar free candy, cookies or gum. Sugar free foods contain Xylitol. Xylitol can cause a drop in bloodsugar and seizures.
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Pet Diabetes Awareness Month
November is Pet Diabetes Awareness month. Pets, like people, can become diabetic especially as they age. Uncomplicated diabetes is manageable in dogs and cats.
A pet may not show any symptoms when he or she is in the early stages of diabetes. A pet will often develop symptoms in the later stage. The symptoms include increased drinking and urination and increased appetite. The pet will drink more and urinate more because his or her body needs water to flush out the extra sugar in the blood. The increased drinking and urinating may be easy to miss, especially in cats. A cat may urinate out of the box due to larger amount of urine the cat is making. A dog may be drinking out of the toilet bowl or ditch and the owner is unaware of this activity. Severe diabetes symptoms will progress to vomiting, kidney disease and the pet may go into a coma.
If you suspect your pet has diabetes, bring him or her to the vet. We will take your pet's history and perform an exam. We will take a blood sample to test for diabetes and other illnesses. If your pet's glucose level is elevated, he or she probably has diabetes.
We can help your pet live with diabetes. A prescription diet is necessary to manage diabetes. A diabetic cat's diet is higher in protein, while a dog's diet is higher in fiber. Other pets need insulin along with a diet change. Insulin is given once to twice a day, depending on the type of insulin and your pet's response to the insulin. Insulin is injected under the skin along the back and sides of your pet with special syringes. Pets accept these injections when the injection is given along with a yummy treat. Keeping a journal of how the pet eats, feels and how much insulin is given is important.
Rechecks are important. We may adjust the insulin after checking the blood sugar levels. A managed pet may need to be checked just a few times a year.
Overweight dogs, and especially overweight cats are at a high risk for developing diabetes. Fortunately we now know much about managing diabetes. Many pets live for four to seven years with diabetes, which was unheard of 10 years ago.
How can you help your pet avoid becoming diabetic?
2) Feed your pet the type and amount of food recommended by your veterinarian.
3) Exercise your pet daily. Take your pet on 2 15 minute walks a day.
4) Have your senior pet's blood work checked. Pets become seniors after they are 7 years old. |
Dog and Cat Basket Raffle
Two beautiful gift baskets will be raffled to benefit Hands 4 Paws. The baskets each contain over $100 of donated items. The baskets would make a great gift! The baskets contain a crate, a 5 pound bag of Hill's food, treats, food dish, several toys, a blanket, a stocking and other items.
Tickets are $1.00 each or 6 for $5.00. Tickets can be purchased at the Okaw Veterinary Clinic in Tuscola. The phone number is 253-3221. Tickets will be drawn on Dec 12 at the Santa Paws event. You do not need to be present to win.
For more information about the baskets or Santa Paws, visit the Hands 4 Paws website. |
Remembrance Tree
During the month of December we will have a remembrance tree in our lobby. The tree will be decorated with departed pets' photos made into ornaments. You can have your pet featured on the tree. Just mail or bring in a COPY of your pet's picture. We will CUT THE PICTURE to make the ornament. You can pick up your ornament between Jan 1 and 31. There is no fee for the ornament. Donations would be accepted for Hands 4 Paws or the Helping Animals in Need fund. The tree is being sponsored by Hands 4 Paws. |
We will be closed on Friday, November 27th. We will reopen on Saturday, November 28th. We hope everyone has a great holiday. |
Upcoming Events
Christmas Pet Pictures
Bring your pets for pictures with Santa Claws. He will be in Tuscola on the afternoons of Saturday December 5 and December 12th. We will have more information in the next newsletter. Pictures will be a donation of $5.00. All donations will go to Hands 4 Paws, a humane group raising money to build a new dog and cat shelter in Douglas County. |
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About Okaw Veterinary Clinic
Thank you for reading our newsletter. We strive to make our pet parents informed about pet healthcare. If you have any concerns or questions, please let us know.
140 W. Sale St.Tuscola, Illinois 61953Okaw Veterinary Clinic217-253-3221
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Beef Hooves and Pig Ears Recall |
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Pig Ears and Beef Hooves made by Pet Carousel may be contaminated with Salmonella. They are sold through various pet stores and other retail chain stores.
The recalled pig ears were packaged under the brand names Doggie Delight and Pet Carousel.
The recalled beef hooves were packaged under the brand names Choo Hooves, Dentley's, Doggie Delight, and Pet Carousel.
All sizes and all lots of these products have been recalled. Visit the FDA's website for more information. |
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Cat Food Recall
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Select Premium Edge Cat foods have been recalled. The two flavors affected are Finicky Adult and Hairball. They have a manufacture date of May 28, 2009. The lots include: RAF0501A22X and RAH0501A22X for the 18 pound bags and RAF0501A2X and RAH0501A2X for the 6 pound bags.
These bags do not contain adequate amounts of Thiamine. Symptoms your cat may show include: weakness, not eating, walking drunk, head hanging down, tremors and seizures. If your pet has eaten these foods and is showing any symptoms, please call us and bring in your cat for an exam. If you have any questions, you can call 800-977-8797.
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The Infamous Litter Box Class
This class will discuss litter box use and what to do if your cat stops using the box. Topics include how to promote good litter box habits, identifing the causes of not using the box and what treatments are available. The class will be held on Monday Dec 14th at 6:00 pm at the U of I Small Animal Clinic. Early registration date: Dec 2
New Puppy! Tips for Raising a Happy and Healthy Dog
Learn about normal puppy behaviors, the importance of socialization, early training, exercise and health care, and how to properly provide for all of the needs of a growing dog. This informative and fun class is presented by Linda Case, adjunct assistant professor at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, author, and owner of AutumnGold Dog Training Center.
Early Reg. Deadline: Wednesday, Dec 30
The Class fee is $8.00 if you register by the early register date. If you register after the date, the fee is $13.00.
Please visit the U of I's website to register or for more information. If you have questions, please call 217-333-2907. |
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Remind My Pet
Sign up for this free service to get reminders of when your pet is due for their heartworm, flea or other medication. You can have the reminder sent as an email or text message.
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