Leonard Animal Clinic - December 2019

Check out our December newsletter!

DECEMBER 2019

903.587.2210

Pet Gazette

From Your Hometown Vet

WWW.LEONARDANIMALCLINIC.COM

A Lot Like Christmas

What Makes the Season Bright?

My family’s Christmas tree has never been very traditional. It’s not the kind of pretty, perfect Christmas tree you’ll see in a Hallmark movie. Ever since my brother and I were young, our parents would let us decorate the tree. We’ve always had colorful lights because we like those best, and, instead of orderly glass baubles, our tree is full of homemade ornaments or keychains from our various travels. It’s a hodgepodge mess, and I love it so much. Every ornament has a story, and our tree is very meaningful to our family. The wonderful thing about the holidays is that while so many people celebrate the same holidays, we can all have our unique traditions. I love hearing about the different ways families celebrate the season together. If you’re like my family and have a lot of homemade ornaments, be sure to hang them higher on the tree, away from where your pets can reach. Some homemade ornaments, especially those made of salt dough, can be toxic and even fatal to pets if ingested. An emergency visit to the veterinarian isn’t something anyone wants to do on Christmas Eve.

That rule holds to this day. However, my family did adopt the tradition of the Christmas pickle. It’s said this tradition came from Germany. Basically, you hide a pickle — or a pickle-shaped ornament — in the

Christmas tree, and the first person to find the pickle wins a prize. For our family, that meant getting to open one of your gifts on Christmas Eve.

These days, one of my favorite Christmas traditions is watching Terra open her gift. Of course my dog gets a Christmas present! She even has her own stocking. I put a little dog kibble in Terra’s gift before wrapping it. When she smells the food inside, she doesn’t hesitate to dig in. It’s so much fun to watch her tear apart the wrapping paper and get to the new toy or treat inside. That said, we have to be careful not to put her present under the tree until Christmas morning. If Terra smells the food, she’s not going to need the Christmas pickle to open her gift early. Regardless of what holiday you celebrate this time of year, it’s clear that December puts everyone in a happier mood. People are more friendly and forgiving. When you’re out and about, it feels like there’s more joy in the air. It’s great to stop for a breath and look around at everyone celebrating with you. I love spending the season with my family. It’s something I always look forward to.

I certainly wouldn’t want to spend Christmas Eve with Terra at the vet’s office for a number of reasons. To start, my birthday is on Christmas Eve! Many people with seasonal birthdays have to lump their special day in with Christmas. Fortunately, my parents made a point to make my birthday special and separate from Christmas. I felt pretty lucky because I got to celebrate my birthday and enjoy all our fun Christmas Eve traditions. In my family, we weren’t allowed to open any gifts until after breakfast on Christmas morning.

“The wonderful thing about the holidays is that while so many people celebrate the same holidays, we can all have our unique traditions.”

May you have many great traditions to look forward to this month. Merry Christmas and happy holidays!

— Dr. Mikaela Stanislav

1

Your Hometown Vet

903.587.2210

LEONARDANIMALCLINIC.COM

Want to treat yourself this holiday season? We can help! From now until Friday, Dec. 13, 2019, for every friend or family member you refer* to Leonard Animal Clinic, you’ll be entered into a drawing to win a Louis Vuitton Neverfull MM™ bag. How the Drawing Works: 1. Send a friend or family member to Leonard Animal Clinic. 2. Make sure they give your name at the front desk, or you could miss out! It’s that easy! Best of all , when the person you refer brings their pet in, you both are entered to win the Louis Vuitton™ bag! The more people you refer, the more entries you get for the grand prize. First referral = 1 entry

We’re Giving Away a LOUIS VUITTON Bag! ™

Second referral = 2 entries Third referral = 3 entries

… And so on! By your third referral, you’ll have 6 chances to win! With unlimited entries, the more people you send our way, the more chances you have to

score that Louis Vuitton™ bag. Referrals must come in by Friday, Dec. 13, 2019. Winner will be drawn on Monday, Dec. 16, 2019. Good luck! *Referral must be a paid service client

Puppy NOT included!

2

Your Hometown Vet

903.587.2210

LEONARDANIMALCLINIC.COM

Unspoken Trouble Could You Tell if Your Pet Was Suffering Chronic Pain?

Do you understand what your pet is trying to tell you?

Our pets can’t tell us when they’re feeling bad, so it’s up to us to watch for warning signs and take action. Some common signs of pain in your pet may include:

Most pet owners are proud to say they do. The bond between dogs and humans has grown so much over the eons; there’s often unspoken communication between man and man’s best friend. Even cat owners become attuned to the meanings behind the different meows their cats make. However, there are still some things animals tend to be very secretive about, like pain. For pets, pain can be scary. They aren’t able to tell you what they’re feeling, and they don’t understand why they’re hurting. For this reason, pain can cause major changes in your dog or cat’s behavior. Determining whether your pet’s pain is acute or chronic is the first step to identifying the reason for these changes. Acute pain is sudden and triggered by a specific incident, like an accident or injury. It’s usually easy to spot acute pain due to the sudden change in your pet’s behavior. However, chronic pain can develop slowly, causing behavioral changes you might not notice at first. Chronic pain can be brought on by joint inflammation, arthritis, or tooth decay.

• Limping • Loss of appetite • Nausea and/or vomiting • Vocalization • Change in temperament or behavior

• Licking a specific area • Change in bathroom habits • Panting • Appearance of the third eyelid • Hiding

How can I help my pet with their pain?

Pain management often involves medication, including nonsteroidal anti- inflammatories or topical anesthetics. Other strategies may include special treatments, like acupuncture or laser therapy, as well as lifestyle changes. A new diet, different bedding, raised food and water dishes, or an extra walk a day can make a huge difference for your pet’s chronic pain. Because our pets can’t tell us when they’re hurting, it can be difficult to determine the cause or solution. If you suspect your pet is struggling with chronic pain, don’t hesitate to reach out to your veterinarian. They have experience identifying the cause of a pet’s pain and creating appropriate treatment plans for long-lasting relief.

PAWSitively Hilarious !

Food Hounds ! GINGERBREAD DOGS ‘Tis the season for holiday cheer! Share some cheer with your four-legged friends with these special holiday dog treats.

Ingredients

• • • •

1 cup molasses

• • • •

6 cups all-purpose flour

4 tbsp honey 1 cup water

2 tsp baking soda 1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1 tsp dried powder ginger

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350 F. 2. In a medium bowl, combine molasses, honey, water, and oil, and set aside. In a large bowl, mix together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and ginger. Slowly add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing well until dough forms. 3. Separate dough into four equal balls. Wrap dough balls in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 3–5 hours. 4. On a lightly floured surface, roll out chilled dough to 1/4-inch thick. Use dog-shaped cookie cutters to cut out treats. 5. Bake for 20–25 minutes on baking sheet until cookies start to brown. Carefully remove treats from the oven and let them cool completely before serving to your dog. Inspired by GoneToTheSnowDogs.com

3

Your Hometown Vet

903.587.2210

LEONARDANIMALCLINIC.COM

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

400 HWY 69 South Leonard, TX 75452

903.587.2210

WWW.LEONARDANIMALCLINIC.COM

Inside

‘Tis the Season of Tradition

1

Win a Louis Vuitton Bag for Christmas!

2

Could You Tell if Your Pet Was Suffering Chronic Pain?

3

Homemade Gingerbread Dog Treats

4

Peyo the Therapy Horse

Horsing Around

Meet a Different Kind of Therapy Animal

Horses have been loyal and useful companions to humans for centuries. But unbeknownst to many who fear these long-legged, 1,000-plus-pound mammals, horses are also naturally intuitive and extremely sensitive to the moods of people around them. These traits make them excellent therapy animals for those with autism, cerebral palsy, chronic illnesses, and PTSD, among many more. In fact, there are dedicated horse-riding camps geared toward chronically ill children and adults all over the world. However, riding horses isn’t the only way to benefit from equine therapy; horses are also fantastic comfort animals that can relieve anxiety and promote a positive environment for bedridden patients — as long as the doorway is big enough. Meet Peyo, the 14-year-old “love stallion” from Dijon, France, who is cheering up chronically ill patients one nuzzle at a time. This accomplished artistic dressage competitor accompanies his owner, Hassen Bouchakour, on visits to hospitals and nursing homes, bringing joy with every clop of his hooves.

Patients suffering from all manner of ailments blossom when Peyo comes to visit, laughing and smiling while being nudged by his soft nose. He seems to have a keen sense for patients who are truly suffering, and though his handler is always nearby, Peyo often chooses which rooms to enter of his own volition. Having a horse in a hospital room may not sound very sanitary, but Peyo goes through a strict grooming regimen to be deemed hygienic enough to be around patients. His hooves are greased, his mane and tail are braided, and his entire body is rubbed down with antibacterial lotion before being covered by a blanket. Before Peyo became a therapy horse, he was almost put up for sale by Bouchakour, who had a hard time wrangling Peyo’s fiery personality. But, over time, when they traveled to shows and competitions together, Bouchakour noticed the horse was drawn to the injured and disabled and would instantly calm at their touch. “It is one of the most pure, honest, and sweet things,” Bouchakour says. “They like each other very much without asking for anything else.”

Photo by Jessica Rodrigues @jessicarodriguesphotographer

4

Your Hometown Vet

903.587.2210

LEONARDANIMALCLINIC.COM

Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4

leonardanimalclinic.com

Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker