VetMed Animal Health Blog

Hi All! I would like to let you know that VetMed Animal Health has won the contract to provide veterinary services for the MJ Animal Shelter. Congratulations VetMed!

If you would like to join us in giving back to our community by helping those in need, please bring a donation by our office for the Second Harvest Food Bank. We will be delivering our donations by Wednesday, November 23rd. Thank You!

Halloween Hints — No Fright,
No Fear For Pets This Year!
Halloween is one of the most fun times
of the year, and it’s natural to want to
try to involve your family pet in all the
activity. It’s important to keep in mind,
though, that not all Halloween activities
are fun or safe for pets. A few simple
precautions can keep your spooky celebrations
fun for everyone in the family,
whether they are two footed or four
footed.
People Treats Are Not Pet Treats
Did you know that chocolate can be poisonous
to pets? It contains a substance
–theobromine – that dogs find difficult to
metabolize. Even modest amounts, such
as a snack size bar or two, can be poisonous
to a small dog. Other types of
Halloween goodies, such as gum, chewy
candies, hard balls, etc., can be choking
hazards or cause GI upset. And it’s not
just the treats that you have to worry
about. Pets that find dropped candy on
the floor will often eat it – wrapper and
all! Since foil and plastic are not digestible,
these substances can
become lodged in your pet’s
digestive tract. Be sure to
keep treats out of reach. And
be sure to supervise any little
human goblins that might be
running around the house to
make sure they don’t leave a
candy trail where pets can
find it! Finally, keep a supply
of healthy, pet safe
goodies on hand, such
as carrot sticks or low
calorie dog cookies, if
you feel the need to
treat!
Decoration Dangers
Lighted jack-o-lanterns,
spooky fog, and festive
lights on strings–all these
things help create that spooky, Halloween
ambiance you’re after. But pets, just like
small children, don’t understand the
dangers of candles, lanterns, or electric
lights. If you have pets, use small battery
operated lights instead of real flameto put that eerie glow in your scary pumpkin’s
eyes. If you’re using dry ice to create a
spooky mist inside your Halloween lair, keep
pets, as well as small children, out of the fog
since it’s composed of CO2 gas. Small people
and critters can suffocate. Finally, remember
that anything new will be of interest to a curious
pet. Keep electric cords up out of the way
where pets can’t reach or chew them and be
electrocuted.
Stranger, Beware
Halloween can be a frightening time for some
pets. The people they think they know and
love dress up, put on masks, and don’t look
the same, while complete strangers come
to the door and keep ringing the doorbell…
again and again and again! It can all be very
confusing for a pet. So, put yourself in their
shoes, or, er, paws, for the day, and do what
you can to minimize stress. If your pet seems
nervous or worried, close him or her up in
a quiet room with the door shut. Put on the
TV, play some music, or leave some toys for
them to play with. Don’t take him or her out
trick-or-treating with you. Keep in mind that
some otherwise well-behaved pets may even
bite if they are scared or stressed enough. A
scary mask can frighten a dog as much as it
can a small child, so be prepared and don’t
take chances.
The Do’s and Don’t of Pet Dress Up
At Halloween time, lots of owners enjoy dressing
up their pets in cute costumes to compliment
their own get-ups. When selecting a
costume, keep in mind that, while some dogs
may enjoy the extra attention, most animals
don’t like to have any unusual clothing on
their bodies and can become scared, irritated,
or uncomfortable. If you do dress up your
dog, start with something simple and see how
they react before putting on costumes that are
more complicated. A Halloween theme collar,
leash, or bandana may be festive enough
for these dogs! Make sure any pet clothing is
properly adjusted. Too tight, and it can cut
off circulation to a tail, leg, or ear or cause
them to choke. Too loose, and your pet can
trip on it or get it caught on something. Make
sure pets can see, smell, and hear through
their costumes. Never leave a pet unattended
“in costume” in the event he or she becomes
scared or tries to chew it off. Serious injury
can occur, especially in cats with anything
tied around their neck or chest. It is best
to leave the costume capers simple and only
attempt with consenting, outgoing canines.

We will be closed Monday, September 5th in observance of Labor Day. If you are a client and have an Emergency, please call our office 615-553-4156 and ensure you choose the Emergency (Alert Dr. on Call) option. If you are not a client and have an Emergency, please contact Blue Pearl at 615-333-1212. We hope everyone has a fun & safe weekend!

On Saturday, August 27th between the hours of 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., Nashville & Eastern Railroad will be closing N. Mt. Juliet Rd. on both the north and south side of the railroad tracks in order to complete crucial work involving the alignment of the tracks to allow for a proper transitioning as it relates to the current road construction. During this road closure traffic will be detoured by way of East Division Street and Industrial Drive. Please call if you need assistance getting to our office. 615-553-4156