Top 10 Toxins in the Kitchen

There are 10 toxins in your kitchen that you may not even be aware of. 1. Chocolate 2. Grapes, Raisins and Currants 3. Xylitol/Sugar-Free Gum/Candy 4. Fatty Table Scraps 5. Onions and Garlic 6. Compost 7. Human Medications 8. Macadamia Nuts 9. Household Cleaners 10. Unbaked Bread Dough/ Alcohol If you suspect your pet has ingested any of these and is displaying any symptoms call your local vet or Pet Poison Helpline at 1-855-289-0358.

Employee Spotlight Raynae Long

Raynae is our newest practice manager at A Caring Heart Veteriary Hospital. She was previously the nurse manager and has been great at everything she does. She has a passion for animals and it shines through to her work. Her favorite drink is Dr. Pepper and favorite restaurant is Olive Garden. In her free time she enjoys camping and riding four wheelers. She has two amazing children who she is very proud of. Most of you that have come here have met her she has never met a stranger!

Wellness Exam Importance

Veterinarians recommend regular wellness exams for the same reason your physician and dentist recommend them, if you can detect a problem in its early stages, it's more likely to be treated and resolved with less expense, less difficulty and better success. As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Vaccinations, heartworm prevention and routine deworming are important components of wellness care and can prevent diseases that are not only life-threatening, but very expensive to treat. Your veterinarian can recommend a wellness program based on your pet's breed (some breeds are predisposed to certain health problems), age, lifestyle and overall health. October is our Wellness Month and is 10% off our $42 exam call 940-855-0451 today to book your appointment!

Halloween Safety For Your Pets!

Halloween can be a fun time of year for the whole family - even your dog. However, there are also many potential dangers and sources of stress for your dog. Just remember to keep your dog safe from these Halloween hazards. •Halloween Candy and Other Treats Remember that human treats are not usually good for dogs! Candy - especially chocolate - can be extremely toxic to your dog. Artificially sweetened candy, gum and other goodies may also contain xylitol, a highly toxic substance. Dogs may also ingest food wrappers, causing a risk of choking, upset stomach or gastrointestinal blockage. Various party snacks can be too salty and may contain ingredients that can poison your dog. Alcoholic beverages and dogs do not mix - they pose a significant risk of severe illness or even death! Keep all of these "human goodies" far out of your dog's reach. If you are not positive that you can keep your dog away from these hazards, then consider confining your pet to another area of your home during the festivities. Keeping appropriate dog treats around for your dog can be a great idea, but remember not to overfeed. Sliced carrots or apples (hold the caramel) can be tasty and healthy snack alternatives for people and dogs alike! More Info: Foods That Can Poison Dogs •Halloween Decorations Your dog is bound to be curious about new objects around the house, and that includes Halloween decorations. Be sure decorations are not in areas where your dog could ingest them or bump into them. Power cords trip your dog or lead to electrical shock if chewed. Be careful with the placement of jack-o-lanterns - have you ever seen a dog eat a whole pumpkin? It is not pretty! Also, candles can be knocked over, potentially burning your dog and/or starting a fire. Other decorations can be eaten or broken, causing serious harm to your dog. Have fun and decorate - just think about your dog first! •Trick-or-Treaters and other Guests Though many dogs love visitors, some can become fearful of strangers. Many dogs will even be afraid of people they know if those people are in costumes. Plus, constant ringing of the doorbell might get your dog over-excited or very stressed out. Think about your dog's typical reaction to visitors and take extra precautions for Halloween. Keep your dog at a distance when greeting trick-or-treaters by putting up an baby gate or confining her to another area of the home. When inviting guests into your home, introduce them to your dog in a positive manner. If your dog seems afraid of guests in costumes, remove her from the situation calmly. During parties and loud gatherings, your dog might do best in another area of your home unless she is used to these types of events and has done well in the past. •Halloween Costumes for Dogs Some dogs really enjoy getting dressed in costumes - they might ham it up and revel in the attention. Other dogs can become scared or uncomfortable in clothing of any type. If you want to dress your dog up, start simple and see how she handles it. If she does not like it, then don't push the issue. Try a Halloween bandanna or collar instead. If your dog does seem to enjoy getting dressed up, be certain you choose a costume that fits comfortably. If it is too tight, it could cut off circulation or cause sores to develop. Loose-fitting outfits can trip your dog or get caught on objects around the house. Because of these potential dangers, never leave your dog unattended in the costume. She could become injured or may ingest parts of the costume and choke, become sick, or develop gastrointestinal blockage. •Outdoor Dangers I personally feel that unsupervised dogs are best kept indoors year-round, though some dogs will do fine living outdoors alone. However, the rules are different during the Halloween season! It is extremely crucial that you keep your dog indoors unless directly supervised. Sadly, there are cruel people who have twisted ideas of fun this time of year - and your dog can be the victim. Though it is more widely know that black cats are targeted during Halloween, any household pet can be at risk and MUST be kept indoors!

Laser Therapy

The most common Laser Therapy indications are: *Arthritis (Degenerative Joint Disease) *Back Pain (Intervertebral Disc Disease) *Trauma (Skin, Muscle, Bone) *Wounds (Trauma) *Surgery (Incisions, Growth Removals, Bone Surgery) *Inflammatory Conditions: *Acute or chronic otitis (Ear problems) *Anal Gland inflammation *Periodontitis (Gingivitis) *Hot Spots *Lick Granulomas *Idiopathic Cystitis - (Bladder Inflammation) *Sinusitis, Rhinitis (Nasal problems) What is Laser Therapy? There are basically two types of laser therapy units: Continuous and Pulsed Lasers. Continuous Laser emissions act fast on inflammation, stimulating blood and lymphatic circulation, and inducing fast reabsorption of fluid build-ups; however, they only have a secondary effect on pain, which is diminished after reducing the inflammatory process. Pulsed Laser emissions, on the other hand, have an immediate effect on pain, since they are able to produce analgesia, interfering with the very transmission of the pain impulse to the higher brain centers, but they are less effective at treating inflammation and edema, only achieving results after a long period of application. Until now, no diode laser was able to induce strong anti-inflammatory, anti-edema, and analgesic effects simultaneously and within a short period of time. The Therapy Laser was developed to overcome the limits of traditional Laser therapy. The Therapy Laser is able to overcome the limits imposed by selecting one of the two emission types, since it is based on the characteristic therapeutic properties of a new Laser Pulse. It uses an MLS Pulse, which combines and synchronizes emission of continuous and pulsed Laser emissions with different infrared wavelengths. This patented control system synchronizes the two emissions and shortens the treatment period for treating pain, inflammation, and edema, and for repairing superficial lesions. All of our veterinary technicians are now certified in the Cutting Edge Laser Technology. We strive to keep up with all the latest and greatest to make sure your babies have the best possible!