The following are answers to some questions Russell Animal Hospital is frequently asked.

Why does my dog need to be vaccinated against kennel cough?

''Kennel cough' refers to a collection of highly contagious diseases of the respiratory tract. Kennel
cough is spread by exposure to other infected dogs or shared environments. Symptoms of kennel
cough include a dry hacking cough, which can be treated with antibiotics and cough suppressants.
Vaccination is the most effective weapon in prevention and is usually very effective. We
recommend vaccinating all dogs who anticipate exposure to concentrations of dogs (boarding
kennels, day care, training classes etc) and we require up to date kennel cough vaccines for dogs
who stay at the Russell Animal Hospital.

Should I microchip my pet?

A microchip is a tiny transponder the size of a grain of rice that is implanted under the animals
skin between their shoulder blades. The chip can be read by a scanner, carried by veterinarians
and human organizations. The microchip is a very reliable, tamper-proof, permanent form of
identification. You must register your pets microchip, and the registration information is kept in
databases available 24 hours a day. The microchip provides a level of protection in the event your
pet is lost and separated from their collar and tags. The microchip contains vital information
enabling your pet to be returned to you.

What does the veterinarian do when I bring my pet for it's vaccines?

When it is time for your pet to receive vaccines it is also time for its annual physical
examination. A yearly physical exam is an extremely important part of keeping your pet healthy.
Our veterinarians will check all of your pets major organ systems including, but not limited to
your pet's eyes, nose, mouth , coat, heart, lungs and palpate their abdomen for any
abnormalities. They will check for any evidence of external parasites such as fleas and ticks. A
stool sample should be checked annually for evidence of intestinal parasites and a blood sample
may be taken for Heartworm, Lyme and Ehrlichia testing.

This exam time is a good time to talk to our doctors about any concerns you may have regarding
your pets health, to discuss diet changes, flea and tick control, internal parasite control, behavior
problems, and general care of your pet. Puppies and kittens are seen at a more frequent interval
than the mature pet. This enables our doctors to monitor their progress and to administer the
course of vaccines necessary to build their immunity to common, preventable, infectious
diseases. Your senior pet may need additional blood work, x-rays or urinalysis to help us
monitor them for conditions associated with aging.

What is Russell Animal Hospital's Senior Health Care program?

Some of you may have already received our senior letter and history checklist for your pet. We are excited to have a senior care program started. Our doctors and staff feel it is important to give your senior pet the best care they can have as they age. A senior letter and history checklist will be sent to you the month prior to your pets vaccines being due. We encourage you to
complete the checklist and bring any other questions you may have to your pets scheduled appointment.

We are encouraging you to have blood tests and urinalysis done on your pet as a tool for early detection, diagnosis and treatment of potential health problems. We look at these tests as great tools in baseline information and early detection of health issues that can affect the senior pet.

Does Russell Animal Hospital offer any bereavement advice?

Losing a pet is difficult for everyone. Whether your pet is failing, involved in an accident or
having dangerous behavior problems, the decision to euthanize is one of the hardest you will ever make. We encourage you to discuss this difficult decision with our staff. We want to help you with any concerns or questions you may have including; should you be present, counseling resources, what to expect at euthanasia, care of the body afterwards, what about your children being present, etc. We are here to answer any questions you might have regarding this procedure.

Some people find planning the procedure ahead of time is best for them, other people do not want to discuss or plan for this until the last minute. Everyone approaches loss and grief differently.

We pride ourselves in making this as respectful and comfortable for you as we can. We also offer house w calls for euthanasia, as scheduling permits, enabling you to have the privacy of your own home at such a difficult time.

What plants are toxic to dogs and cats?

From the Animal Poison Control Center - This list is not all-inclusive, but a listing of frequently
encountered plants. For further information contact napcc@aspca.org.

Aloe Amaryllis Andromeda Japonica Asian Lily Uiliaceae) Asparagus Fern Australian Nut Auturnn Crocus Avocado Azalea Bird of Paradise American Bittersweet European Bittersweet Branching Ivy Buckeye Buddist Pine Caladiun~ Calla Lily Castor Bean Cerirnan (Cutleaf Philodendron) Charming Dieffenbachia Chinaberry Tree Chinese Evergreen Christmas Rose Clematis Cordatum Corn Plant(Cornstalk Plant) Cycads Cyclamen Daffodil Day Lily Devil's Ivy Durnb Cane Deadly Nightshade Easter Lily Elephant Ears Emerald Feather Emerald Fern English Ivy Fiddle-Leaf Philodendron Flamingo Plant Florida Beauty Foxglove Fruit Salad Plant Glacier Ivy Gladiolas Glory Lily Gold Die ffenbachia Gold Dust Dracaena Golden Pothos Green Gold Nephthysis Hahns self branching English Ivy Heartleaf Philodendron Heavenly Bamboo Holly Horsehead Philodendron Hurricane Plant Hyacinth Hydrangea Iris

Japanese Show Lily Japanese Yew Jerusalem Cherry Kalanchoe Lacy Fern Lacy Tree Lily of the Valley Macadamia Nut Madagascar Dragon Tree Marble Queen Marijuana Mauna Loa Peace Lily (Peace Lily) Mexican Breadfruit Mistletoe "American" Morning Glory Mother-in-Law Narcissus Needlepoint Ivy Nephthytis Nightshade Oleander Onion Orange Day Lily Panda Peace Lily Philodendron Pertusum Plumosa Fern Precatory Bean Queensland Nut Red Emerald Red Lily Re d-Margine d Dracaena Red Princess Rhododendron Ribbon Plant Rubrum Lily Saddle Leaf Philodendron Sago Palm Satin Pathos Schefflera Spotted Dumb Cane Stargazer Lily Straight-Margined Dracaena Striped Dracaena Sweetheart Lily Swiss Cheese Plant Taro Vine Tiger Lily Tomato Plant Tree Philodendron Tropic Snow Dumbcane Tulip Variable Dieffenbachia Variegated Philodendron Wameckei Dracaena Wood Lily Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow Yew Yucca