Greetings!

Sure has been a cold winter. We hope everyone is staying warm! As pet owners, we have the added warmth of a pet on our laps or curled up in bed with us on these cold winter's nights. To help insure your pet's safety during these cold spells, take these simple precautions:

• Do not leave your pet outside for extended time periods.
• Listen to your pet's cues while out in the yard or out on a walk if they want to go back inside. My dog sometimes just stands and shakes.
• Many animals do benefit from the added layer of a sweater or fleece jacket.
• Keep all water and food inside the home to prevent freezing.
• Wash salt and sand off paws as needed when returning indoors.

Some animals may also suffer trauma to their pads from the ice and snow. Products like Bag Balm and Musher's Secret can help protect the pads from cracking and bleeding. Musher's Secret can be obtained at Pet Specialty stores as well the various internet sites. Bag Balm is available at most pharmacies.

Spring will be here before we know it!

Exciting news

Boston Magazine names Beverly Animal Natural Health Center in Pet Article

The February 2004 edition of Boston Magazine has a large article on the best ways to pamper and care for your pet. This is their parallel article to the best docs for people on the cover of this issue.

We were all excited to see the write up on the clinic under their alternative pet care section. Please check it out! We have a copy of it on our bulletin at work.

And, thanks to ALL OF OUR CLIENTS that made this recognition possible! We wouldn’t be there without you.

Update from Dr Ricketts at the North American Veterinary Conference

Once again, I was able to travel to Florida in January to attend the 21st annual North American Veterinary Conference. The five day conference had close to 15,000 attendees. Choosing which lectures to attend was a challenge! I chose to focus mainly on geriatric medicine and surgery. I learned some of the latest advances in treating senility and arthritis, two very common, but often overlooked problems with our senior pets. The importance of monitoring blood pressure, especially in senior cats was also stressed. With our new Cardell monitor, measuring blood pressure will be even easier. Other topics covered were diet changes in older pets and the importance of doing screening bloodwork in all older patients. This allows us to have a normal baseline and also helps to identify disease early. Be sure to schedule a check-up for your elderly pet to address any questions you may have with us.

Pet Dental Health Month

February is pet dental health month again! We try to make your pet’s dental care part of its care all year round. We are able to offer dental cleanings as well as dental radiography and surgery for dogs and cats. The mouth is such an important part of the pet’s health. It is the start of the digestive system and is involved in the overall health and well-being of the pet. If the oral cavity is plagued by tartar and bacteria, it can spread through the bloodstream to other organs such as the kidneys and heart. We recommend that you check your pet’s mouth periodically to assess the overall health.

Check out a great website at www.petdental.com for great information and tips. SMILE!

Signs your pet may need dental care

• Persistent bad breath
• Mouth sensitivity
• Pawing at the mouth
• Decreased appetite
• Difficulty chewing food
• Plaque
• Bleeding, inflamed or receded gums
• Tartar
• Loose/ missing teeth