New Addition! !

Welcome baby boy Kye Ricketts McClory!

Kye was born November 22, 2006 to Lynne and Taidgh weighing in at 5 pounds 1 ounce and 18 inches long. A few weeks early but both mom and baby are doing well.

Clinic hours will remain unchanged when Dr Ricketts is out for her maternity leave with the exception of Monday, December 4th when the office will be closed for the day.  Dr Freedman at Hawthorne Animal Health Care will be available for urgent care as well as Essex County Emergency Hospital in North Andover and Mass Vet Referral Hospital in Woburn.  Hawthorne Animal Health Care’s number is 978-741-2300.  His office is located at 120 Canal Street in Salem.

Holiday Hazards

As the busy holiday season approaches, please don’t forget about all the potential dangers to your pets!

Here are a few to watch out for:

POINSETTIA
This popular holiday plant is generally over-rated in toxicity. It can cause oral irritation to mouth and stomach. If your dog or cat ingests any part of it, you may see drooling, vomiting, or nausea. Signs are typically mild and self-limiting.

MISTLETOE
There are several types of mistletoe. Assume that ALL are toxic if ingested. The signs of toxicity can be from mild gastrointestinal signs to severe liver failure and seizures.

RIBBONS AND TINSEL
These are of special interest to playful cats and kittens who see these materials as toys (or prey) to be chased, pounced upon, chewed or swallowed. While chasing and pouncing pose no health threats, chewing and swallowing do. The tinsel can become trapped in the intestine or even in the mouth and create what is called a linear foreign body. These need to be treated surgically. For all homes with cats, we recommend no tinsel on the trees and be very careful with ribbon on presents!

CHOCOLATE
Many people do not realize that chocolate can be a poison. Unsweetened baking chocolate carries a much higher dose of the toxin “theobromine” than does milk chocolate, but even normal milk chocolate can be dangerous; a small dog getting into some holiday candy can wind up in big trouble. Clinical signs of chocolate poisoning include hyperexcitability, nervousness, vomiting, and diarrhea and death. If your pet eats chocolate, call the office or emergency clinic for recommendations. There are SOME dogs that can eat small amounts of chocolate without any ill effects but the general recommendation is to keep all pets away from any amount.

HOLIDAY FOOD
Holiday foods tend to be more flavorful and calorie laden than regular fare. Not only tempting to us trying to keep the pounds off during the season, they are also tempting to dogs and cats when given the opportunity for a bite! Many animals cannot handle the extra fat or flavors of holiday fare and can become ill. Pancreatitis can often be triggered in a dog after eating a fatty piece of prime rib or roast. This can cause vomiting and be so serious as to require hospitalization. It is best to keep your pets on their regular diet throughout the holiday season.

Looking for a home

Buddy is a 10-month-old male neutered German Shepard mix that we saved from a New York City shelter. He came in as 'Bruno' but this peaceful, loving, sweet boy soon proved that his name did not suite this gentle soul. He was renamed by the 10 year old boy who helps care for him as he struggled with pneumonia, a consequence of the kennel cough so prevalent in big shelters. His legs also bear the scars of his past life.

He had to be taken home early from the hospital that he was being treated in because our funds could not support the daily cost of urgent care. We are hopeful that our loving home care will pull him through. He has already started eating and we expect a full recovery. ARNNE will continue to pay for medical costs even if an experienced foster or adoptive home is found to help him battle the pneumonia.

Buddy is sociable with dogs, cats and children. Children 8 years and above will be best suited to help care for him as he recovers over the upcoming weeks.

For more information or to meet Buddy, please fill out an adoption request form at www.arnne.org or call the shelter at 603-635-2211 and a volunteer will return your call.

Please also consider a gift to help pay Buddy’s bill and support the countless other dogs that need care. His bill for 6 days at the referral hospital was for over $2500. The Animal Rescue Network of New England didn’t say give up, they just paid the bill and wanted Buddy to get a forever home. Please consider any donation large or small. Dr Crowley has donated one thousand dollars on behalf of Tucker and hope to get clients to match that. We can then go for another thousand to help these dogs!