Lone Mountain Animal Hospital
February 2006 Newsletter

Puppy Dies From Backyard Plant
Puppies chew on countless things, sticks, shoes, furniture, and other household items. But, an unfortunate story recently out of California told of a 5 month old Labrador Retriever puppy that died after chewing on common backyard plant. The puppy ate a Sago Palm and died after a valiant fight to survive.

Sago Palms are very commonly planted in yards here in Las Vegas. Nurseries are not required to list any plant as toxic to animals, so pet owners should beware. The Sago Palm is one of the most dangerous plants that animals can get into. All parts of the plant are toxic, although the seeds are the worst. Following ingestion of a Sago Palm, a pet may develop signs of illness within 1-2 days. Affected animals will develop liver failure, bleeding disorders, and gastrointestinal disturbances. Sadly, most animals that ingest the Sago Palm will not survive. If you suspect your dog has chewed on a Sago, do not delay in seeing your veterinarian.

Please check with your veterinarian about any concerns with toxic household or backyard vegetation. Also, for an extensive list of poisonous plants visit these websites:
www.veterinarypartner.com
www.aspca.org/apcc

Pet of The Month
We are very pleased to announce "Rusty" as our recognized Pet of the Month for March. "Rusty" is a feline with quite a story of persevering through his medical problems. We all at LMAH are pleased to see him 100% healed and back to his old self again.

Quick Tip for Hamsters
"Wet Tail" is a common medical problem seen in pet rodents and is also known by the term, Proliferative ileitis. It is a rapidly fatal bacterial intestinal infection. Early signs include loss of appetite, diarrhea, and wetness along rear end. Some hamsters will sit in a hunched, painful appearing posture.

See your veterinarian immediately if your rodent develops diarrhea. Wet tail is a

life-threatening, aggressive disease that can be fatal within just 24 hours. Your veterinarian will likely administer fluids for dehydration, prescribe antibiotics, and offer a hand feeding formula like Oxbow's Critical Care Formula. Please call the doctors at LMAH (645-3116) if you have any questions regarding your hamster's health.

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