Holiday hazard How to keep your pet safe

Lights, decorations, good food…every year, as we celebrate the holidays, we fill our homes with seasonal cheer for ourselves and our families. However, what may seem beautiful and harmless to us may pose hidden dangers to our pets. Don't let an emergency spoil the festivities! Below are some common holiday hazards for dogs and cats and how to prevent them.


1. Electric cords Keep all electric cords securely taped down or out of reach of your pet. Dogs and cats may chew dangling wires and be burned or electrocuted.

2. Ornaments Hang ornaments out of reach of your pet. Dogs, especially, may eat ornaments or wire hangers, which can get caught in the stomach and intestines.

3. Chocolate Keep all holiday foods away from your pet. Chocolate contains ingredients (e.g., caffeine) that can be lethal to dogs and cats.

4. Tinsel, ribbon,
and string Make sure these are kept out of reach and properly disposed of. If swallowed, any of these can require emergency surgery to remove. Tinsel also has sharp edges that can cut the mouth.

5. Lilies, other flowers,
and houseplants Prevent your pets from eating plants or flower arrangements. Lilies are very poisonous to cats.

6. Christmas tree Put the tree in a pet-safe room or monitor your pet when he or she is around the tree. Dogs and cats may eat the needles (even from artificial trees) or drink the water at the base of the tree, which can be toxic (especially if it contains preservatives).


In many cases, if your pet has eaten or drunk something toxic, warning signs will include gastrointestinal problems, such as vomiting and diarrhea. Other signs may include tiredness and lack of appetite, especially in cats that have eaten lilies. If your pet shows any of these signs, or if you think he or she has eaten something dangerous but is not showing any signs yet, please call us right away. Treating your pet as soon as possible is essential!

We will be glad to answer any questions you have about your pet's health. Let's work together to make sure your entire family has a happy, healthy holiday season!

Visit Your Pet Portal Today!
For more tips on keeping your pet safe, just visit our practice website at http://www.wvah.net and click on "Pet Portal LOG IN." We look forward to hearing from you.

Here's wishing you a happy and safe holiday season. View your holiday ecard.

Sincerely,
The Doctors and Staff of Willamette Valley Animal Hospital
Willamette Valley Animal Hospital
4975 River Road North
Keizer, OR, 97303
(503) 393-7462

Purple Pages 4 Pets Issue 1 is being distributed

Our first issue of the Purple Pages 4 Pets directory has been printed and is being distributed in Marion County and surrounding area. We are very excited with this venture and can't wait to put out an issue in a neighboring community.

Our advertisers in this issue are:

Animal Care Center Veterinary Clinic 503-371-1988
Bowsers Grooming 503-363-5410
Claws and Paws Grooming 503-749-2400
Companion Pet Clinic 503-588-1603
dogsRealdogs@aol.com
Friends of Felines 503-362-5611
Gail's Grooming 503-585-4208
Happy Tails Grooming 503-371-4500
Life Source Natural Foods 503-361-7973
Marion County Dog Shelter 503-566-6966
Mutt Hut Grooming 503-581-5657
Natures Pet Supplies 503-362-4555
Peaceful Paws Dog Massage 503-581-3375
Santiam Equine 503-763-0983
The Pet Nana Pet Sitter 503-409-8211
Whole Pet Veterinary Clinic 503-363-6465
Willamette Humane Society 503-585-5900
Your Best Friend's Best Friend pet sitter 503-580-4017

Copies of the directory are being distributed by the Willamette Humane Society, Marion County Dog Shelter, Friends of Felines, various Realtors, rental agencies, senior housing complexes, and anywhere else we can get them into the hands of pet lovers.

Our web page www.purplepages4pets.com is under construction and will soon have these and other advertisers linked on the page.

Any pet services who did not get into the directory can put an ad on the web page for six months for a one time fee of $50.

The above listed advertisers will be in the directory for one year. However, if there is enough interest by other advertisers, we may do a second printing (six month version) where those of you who missed out can advertise along side the current advertisers.

If you are interested in having a copy of the directory mailed to you, please write to us at purplepages4pets@gmail.com

Thank you and congratulations to all the advertisers.