August 2007 Newsletter

Lone Mountain Animal Hospital
August 2007 Newsletter

Pet of the Month
Congratulations to Jezebel our feline winner of LMAH's September Pet of the Month.

Gorilla Glue Danger
Have you ever heard of the dangers of pets ingesting glue?
Maybe not, since many of us are most familiar with Elmer's glue which is non-toxic when ingested by dogs or children. Gorilla Glue ingestion, however, is quite serious and even fatal if not treated promptly. For all at LMAH, we cannot soon forget our recent Schnauzer patient, Chewy, that ate some Gorilla Glue and became very ill. Exploratory surgery was done to remove the large grapefruit sized mass of foamy glue that filled his stomach. Chewy has fortunately recovered from his adventure and is doing well now.

What should pet owners know about Gorilla Glue?
Gorilla Glue is an all purpose polyurethane wood glue commonly used with plastics, wood, metal or ceramics. The glue is activated by moisture and expands to 3-4 times its original volume. Even small amounts of Gorilla Glue can expand within the stomach causing a large "foam ball". This foamy mass of glue cannot be digested nor pass through the intestinal tract. Pets that ingest the glue will develop signs of lethargy, vomiting, and a swollen, painful abdomen. Signs of the pet's distress will develop within 15 minutes up to 24 hours after eating the glue. Most dogs will require emergency surgery to remove the large mass of glue from the stomach. Prompt diagnosis and treatment is imperative in successfully treating Gorilla Glue ingestion. Keep all glues, solvents, and other household chemicals out of reach of pets.

Sunday Business Hours
Please note that our office hours on Sundays will now be 8am to 1pm.

Labor Day Hours
We will be open for business on Monday, September 3rd from 8am to 1 pm.

Changing Schedules and Pets
As kids head back to school the family pet may naturally spend less time with direct family time. As schedules must change, so too does the routine our pets may be familiar with. Read on to avoid some of the common mistakes seen as family and pet routines change with school seasons.

Beware of the heat.
Remember that Las Vegas temperatures can still be dangerous for pets kept outdoors in the coming months. Avoid leaving your pets outdoors for long periods of time in high heat. Heat stroke can still occur in temperatures in the 80's and 90's.

Keep up with exercise.
Physical activity is important for every pet's physical and mental health. Exercise also helps decrease boredom and unwanted behavior problems.

Avoid overfeeding.
Avoid using food rewards as a substitute for quality time with your pet. Many pet owners feel guilty about changing schedules and turn to extra treats as a means to show love to their pet. Obese pets will have a shortened lifespan and have an increased risk of developing other diseases.