COLD WEATHER AND CAR TOXINS!
By Dr. Bronwyn Chisholm
As we all brace for the impending winter, many of us are preparing our vehicles for the cold. Enter: Antifreeze! This substance is incredibly toxic for our pets – and because of its sugary taste, both cats and dogs seek it out and will readily lick it off the concrete of a garage or road way. Antifreeze is so toxic that only a teaspoon or two can be fatal, by way of severe kidney damage; As the antifreeze is metabolized by the body, it is converted into microscopic, sharp crystals and as these pass through the kidneys on their way to the bladder, they shred the tissues within the kidneys, which this organ is unable to recover from.
Unfortunately, for treatment to be successful, it has to be initiated almost immediately after ingestion. The patient will act ‘tipsy’ after initial ingestion, but then appear to recover. But in the background, the damaging crystals are forming, and once this happens, we cannot treat the patient. Unfortunately, in my experience, this is often when pets are brought in, and then it is an incredibly sad diagnosis and prognosis. So, if you think there is any chance of ingestion of antifreeze, even if only a small amount, get your pet seen as soon as possible!
BREED OF THE MONTH:
Catahoula Leopard Dog!
Smile for the camera!
Nixon is looking very noble on his comfy throne!
Meet the incredibly handsome Nixon (pictured left and right), a beautiful Catahoula Leopard Dog! Catahoula’s are an incredibly interesting breed: They were developed in Louisiana and incidentally are the official dog breed of that state. They are hard working, very athletic animals, with distinct and striking coloration patterns, as you can see in Nixon’s photos. Because of their purpose as a working dog they are intelligent and strong, both physically and in temperament.
Here is what Nixon’s wonderful owners have say about their beautiful boy:
“Nixon is a very energetic, lovable, wonderful family dog. He is at times stubborn minded, but is a very down to earth dog who enjoys (and needs) his daily walks.”
Our clinic was closed on Thurs, Nov. 11th in honour of Remembrance Day.
Our sincere gratitude to all the men and women of our armed forces, both past and present, for the sacrifices they have made.
Fall Promotion:
Our online store promotion will continue until Nov. 30th. Receive 10% off your online order when you enter the promo code: Fall2021 . Go to our website and click on the “shop online” button (offer available online only).
Last Month’s Trivia winner:
Congratulations to the beautiful Taz (pictured above) and his lovely owner who won our October Trivia! We hope you enjoy a little treat on us!
