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March 2016

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SPRING PET OWNER CHECK LIST

(photocredit: Morguefile.com)

"SPRING HAS SPRUNG, THE GRASS HAS RIZ - I WONDER WHERE THE KITTENS IS"

The first day of spring has finally arrived and Summer is just around the corner. With the change of seasons comes some pet care needs that you may have not thought much about since before last year's holiday season. Allow us to remind you:

RE-START FLEA CONTROL

We have an inconsistent winter in Los Angeles, as you well know.  It was over 80 degrees 11 out of 29 days this last February and the fleas loved it! Because of our warm winter weather, we recommend keeping up flea control every month all year round but we know many people like to discontinue products come November or December. If you are one of these people, consider yourself reminded to re-start flea control for spring now. Do not wait until you start to see fleas as by then it will be too late to stop them from building up their numbers.

GARDENING

With milder weather, we all like outdoor activities. Working in the garden is one of them. We've noticed that most garden stores do not have information about the toxicity of the plants they sell. Let us help you out with our SAFE GARDENING PAGE:

/safe-gardening.pml

KITTEN SEASON

Feline reproduction is seasonal and female cats begin cycling in the springtime. If you have a young cat who has not yet been spayed or neutered, this is a good time to take care of that before you are surprised by the pitter patter of little paws. Ask our receptionist for details.

RATTLESNAKE VACCINATION

If you hike in the canyons or fire roads with your dog, you may find yourself surprised by a rattlesnake. Snakes become inactive in the winter and but become more active as the weather warms up. Consider a rattlesnake booster for the spring.

HEAT STROKE

You might think that heat stroke and heat exhaustion would be issues in the prime of summer when the weather is hot but surprisingly it is the spring when heat stroke is most common. This is most likely because over exercise is more likely in the beginning of the activity season and pets and people may not be properly conditioned for the heat. If you expect to go running or hiking with your dog, bring a supply of water and watch for rapid panting or signs of distress. The best first aid is to cool the pet with water quickly. And never leave your pet inside a locked car.

MORE SPRING SAFETY TIPS FROM THE ASPCA

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/springtime-safety-tips

EASTER SAFETY

Easter is a fun holiday full of egg hunting, candy, and family traditions. Enjoy your Spring Break and keep your pets safe with these tips:

(photocredit: Public domain graphic via Wikimedia Commons)	EASTER LILIES This traditional plant may be beautiful but it is toxic to cats. If you decorate with this plant, be sure to keep it away from any feline friends who might want to chew on it. All Asiatic lilies are toxic to cats. Calla lilies cause upset stomach and are not otherwise poisonous. Dogs are not affected.
(photocredit: Morguefile.com)	CHOCOLATE Most of you know chocolate can be toxic to pets, especially dogs who tend to gobble things up first and ask questions later. Be sure to keep chocolate candies out of the reach of pets, especially when you are out of the room and distracted by guests and family activities. Dark chocolate is especially toxic compared to milk chocolate. Here is our library page for more details: /chocolate-toxicity.pml
(photocredit: Morguefile.com)	DECORATIONS With lots of new smells and items on display it is easy to forget how curious pets can be. Chewing up new things seems to be the rule rather than the exception so use non-toxic items without sharp pieces. Plastic grass can make for a dangerous intestinal foreign body. Keep heirlooms out of the reach of excited pets and be careful with stuffed toys.
(photocredit: Morguefile.com)	HOLIDAY GUESTS Having a lot of people over can be very stressful for your pet. Consider boarding for the holiday weekend if you anticipate trouble. Be sure your pet is properly confined especially if unfamiliar young children will be present and your pet may be overwhelmed.

We will be closed March 27th for Easter Sunday. Everyone have a safe and happy holiday!              

DID YOU KNOW....

That we can arrange home delivery of your pet's food? This includes not only prescription diets but many wellness diets as well. Free shipping you sign up for automatic delivery (you pick how often the food is delivered). Ask your receptionist for details or sign up yourself at

marvista.vetsfirstchoice.com/

Dr. Johnson's next day for chiropractic will be Thursday, April 7th. Make your appointments while there is still room on the schedule.

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TO HELP BRING YOUR PET THE BEST POSSIBLY CARE.

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