CLINIC NEWS

April Newsletter 2015

Can you believe it's already April? For many people, that means Easter and although it's a great time to celebrate with friends and family, it's also important to think abut your pets and how to ensure they stay happy and healthy over the holidays.

Chocolate: the biggest hazard of Easter is chocolate. Chocolate contains theobromine which is dangerous for pets to consume and can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, excessive panting, abnormal heartbeat, seizures, or even death. In general, the darker and more bitter the chocolate, the greater the danger so be sure to keep all choclate treats and sweets hidden away and out of reach of your pets.
Easter lillies: Although a beautiful addition to the home during the holidays, the Easter lily is incredibly toxic to cats and can cause vomiting, lethargy, and can end with acute renal failure, an often fatal condition. Keeping the flowers out of reach is not always an option, as even a nibble on the petals or grooming the pollen off their fur can make them ill so it's advisable to refrain from having lilies if you have cats in the house.
Raisins: Found in hot cross buns and sometimes added in Easter baskets, they contain a toxin that can cause a sudden development of kidney failure within 48 hours of being ingested. The toxin is yet to be identified however it can cause other symptoms in pets such as vomiting and lethargy.
Easter grass: A common filler for Easter baskets, the shiny material is often too temptig a 'toy' for pets to stay away from, particularly cats. When ingested, Easter grass has a high likelihood of causing irritation or obstruction of your pet's gastrointestinal system, resulting in symptoms such as lethargy, vomiting, and painful abdomen.
Toys: Alongside chocolate, Easter brings out an abundance of stuffed toys, plastic eggs, and other treats that pets can find just as exciting as the intended recipient. Ingesting of these items can cause intestinal blockages or stomach upsets that could result in emergency medical treatment so it pays to keep these little treats well out of the way of curious pets!
Others news:

Cat microchipping - Our special promotion of $45 cat microchipping is still running and will be until the end of April. It's never too late to microchip your cat and ensure that if they should go missing, they've got the best possible chance of making it back to you.

Puppy Preschool - Our next Puppy Preschool programme is due to start after Easter, so if you're interested in attending or would like to know more, please don't hesitate to ask one of the nurses at reception.

Closed dates - Due to the public holidays over Easter, we will be closed on Friday 3rd, Sunday 5th, and Monday 6th of April. should you need veterinary assistance during these times, please contact the North Shore After Hours located in Glenfield on (09) 4435640.

We wish you a happy and safe Easter!

The team at Whangaparaoa Vet Centre.