Celebrate With Your Pets Safely

As St. Patrick's Day approaches, it's important to remember that the celebratory green spirits and libations should never be shared with your pets.
Even small amounts of alcohol — not only in drinks but also in syrups and raw bread dough — can have ingredients that are poisonous for them. Both ethanol — the intoxicating agent in beer, wine and liquor — and hops, which are used to brew beer, can cause alcohol intoxication in your fur children.
Signs of intoxication can include:

• Vomiting
• Disorientation
• High body temperature
• Restlessness
• Excessive panting
• Muscle tremors and seizures

In severe cases, or, if left untreated, alcohol intoxication in pets can cause organ system failure and even death.
If your pet had more than one small sip of alcohol, or, if you don't know how much he or she drank, it's best to bring them to the vet right away.
If your pet gets into the alcohol at a time when the vet's office is closed, you should head to emergency, as a pet with alcohol intoxication needs to be treated immediately. Be sure to call ahead to make sure the emergency hospital knows you are on the way and is able to see your pet.
This St. Patrick's Day, don't depend on the luck of the Irish to protect your pet from alcohol intoxication. Keep all forms of alcohol stored safely out of reach of curious paws and do not leave alcoholic beverages or fermenting bread dough unattended.

National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day . . .

. . . is Tuesday, March 29. Our economy couldn’t run without small mom and pop businesses. They create economic growth and provide nearly 70% of all new jobs in this country.
That’s why we acknowledge the more than 27 million small businesses in this country by celebrating National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day! The holiday was established by Rick and Margie Segel in honor of their parents and the successful hat shop they opened in 1939.
It is a special day to appreciate the long hours, hard work and dedication it takes to run a small business.
At Greenwood Lake Animal Hospital, we would like to thank you for entrusting our small business with your furry family member's care. Your faith in us makes it all worth it!

Professional Pet Sitters Week is March 6-12

This year marks the 28th celebration of professional pet sitters!
This annual observance honors pet-care providers, seeks to educate pet owners about the advantages of professional in-home pet care and encourages pet-loving entrepreneurs to explore pet sitting as a career option.
While the kennel might be an option for some, a lot of pet owners prefer the peace of mind that comes from knowing that their pet is being cared for in familiar surroundings.
Being able to stay at home can help ease the anxiety that pets may feel when their humans go away for a few days.
It's important to find the right sitter for both you and your pet, as a good match goes a long way towards a stress-free trip.
Whether you're asking friends for recommendations, searching online or contacting your veterinarian for a few reputable names, Pet Sitters International offers an interview checklist that you can use to assess whether a potential pet sitter might be a good fit.
You can find it at:
https://www.petsit.com/stuff/contentmgr/files/0/a611e72a33de897e4d5c422165266986/files/tips_for_conducting_a_professional_pet_sitter_interview.pdf The next time you're in need of a pet sitter, don't forget to thank them for all that they do to ensure that your pet is well cared for in your absence!