We're sure you and your pets had a great holiday, but keep them protected from dangers. When the leaves of a Poinsettia plant are chewed on, they can cause localized irritation of the mouth. If dogs or cats drink the water from your Christmas tree, it can cause digestive upset. Be aware of the extra hazards around the holidays, especially when taking down your decorations.

Happy Holidays!

 Animerge would like to wish everyone and their pets a safe and Happy Holiday!

Tis the season to be safe!

Tis the season to be safe! It’s easy for pets to get into trouble during the holidays. Look at all the fun stuff we provide for their curiosity. Gifts, decorations and holiday foods pose dangers for all pets. Be aware of the extra hazards around the holidays. Cats love to play with ribbons and tinsel! If ingested they can sometimes act as foreign bodies causing intestinal blockages. Make sure that your pets are protected from all the festivities this holiday season.

Winter Dangers for Pets

Homemade Dog Biscuits Recipe

Did you know that 56% of dog owners plan to give their canine companion a gift this holiday season? Are you part of that 56%? If you are stressing about the perfect gift for your furry friend, try this Homemade Dog Biscuit recipe by Martha Stewart.
 

Ingredients
Makes about 5 dozen
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup wheat germ
1/4 cup brewer's yeast
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 tablespoons canola oil
1/2 cup low-sodium canned chicken stock, plus more for brushing

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, wheat germ, yeast, and salt; set aside

2. Place oil in a large bowl. Add stock and flour mixture in three alternating batches, beginning and ending with stock. Mix well.

3. On a lightly floured work surface, roll out dough to about 3/8-inch thick. Shape biscuits using a dog-bone-shaped cookie cutter or by cutting around a store-bought dog bone with a butter knife.(Make biscuits that are appropriate for your dog's size.)

4. If desired, you can spell out your dog's name or a holiday message in the dough with a toothpick (wet the toothpick first so it won't stick).

5. Transfer to parchment-lined baking sheets. Repeat with remaining dough.

6. Bake biscuits 10 minutes. Brush with stock; rotate baking sheets, and bake 10 minutes more. Turn off oven, leaving door closed. Let dog biscuits stand in oven to dry completely, about 1 1/2 hours. Wrap as a gift, or store in an airtight container at room temperature.

Traveling with your pets this holiday season?

The holidays are approaching and many people are traveling to visit their families. Do you have any interesting holiday pet travel tips or stories to share? Leave a comment telling us your pet travel tips.

Stocking up on all the holiday goodies?

Are you stocking up on all the holiday goodies? Beware of guests who may give your pet cookies, chocolate and other sweets. Those treats are not healthy for them. Your pet’s digestive system is not adapted for such rich foods, and chocolate contains theobromine, which can be harmful and sometimes fatal. Keep plenty of treats especially for your pet around so they don’t get the urge to try and sample some of your holiday feast. Just a tip from Animerge!

Attention Book Club Participants!

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It's time to check in with our Book Club Participants! Last month we posted the selection "From Baghdad, With Love" and we've enjoyed reading about Lieutenant Colonel Jay Kopelman and his struggles to bring Lava, a spunky puppy found in an abandoned house in Fallujah, safely to the U.S. and away from danger. 
This book gives an incite to a Marines inner battle with the horrifying surroundings of war and the emotional struggle to be a fierce soldier while showing sympathy for a small animal in need. 
Kopelman, in more than one instance, wonders if his fellow Marines will mock him if they realize how much he cares for Lava, the puppy he discovered. 
Kopelman and the members of the First Battalion, Third Marines also known as the Lava Dogs, heard a noise in the abandoned home that served as their command post, they all raised their weapons in defense. They were shocked to discover a small dirty puppy in the midst of all the bombings and war torn surroundings. 
Kopelman writes, "The best part is how these Marines, these elite, well-oiled machines of war who in theory can kill another human being in a hundred unique ways, become mere mortals in the presence of a tiny animal."
Apparently Lava was in the home when it was stormed by the Lava Dogs, but not one of the men could find the courage to put him out on the streets. The book details the treatment of strays in war zones and the cruel and inhumane way they are disposed of and often used in bombing attacks by insurgents in Iraq. 
Knowing Lava's fate if left to his own, Kopelman begins a long journey to get Lava safely into the states. Many people put their lives at risk to help in Kopelman's mission, including Anne Garrels, journalist for the National Public Radio.
In one nail-biting chapter, we realize just how dangerous the task is of getting Lava to the U.S. when Anne and Lava get to the Jordanian border. The scene is tense already as border patrol is strict and checkpoints are frequently subjected to bombings. Even a sneeze can be mistaken as a signal and can get you killed. 
Lava probably senses the tension and in one fell swoop escapes the crate and continues to have Annie chasing him around their SUV. It sounds comical but this was no laughing matter to the border patrol and Lava and Anne were turned away. 
 The hardest part to read is the frustration of Kopelman to go through this journey via email. Kopelman had to have the help of many people due to his commitment to the military and the location of his unit. Much of the book details his reactions to e-mails from Anne and also John Van Zante, director of Public Relations at the Helen Woodward Animal Center in California. John was also crucial in the fight to get Lava to a safe place. 
In April 2005, after over 6 months of striving, Lava was able to land at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Illinois. 
Lava is now living well with Lieutenant Colonel Jay Kopelman and his wife, stepson and their other dog Koda.
We thoroughly enjoyed the book club selection and recommend this heartwarming story to other animal lovers.What did you think of Lava's story? 
Did you have any favorite parts? Comment your thoughts and stay tuned for next month's book club selection!

Pet of the Month!

Animerge would like to honor Buddy Cox as our Pet of the Month! Buddy was brought to us on November 27th after being hit by a car. It was found that he had fractured his back. He was placed in a back brace and was hospitalized with us for 1 week. His loving family came to visit everyday! He is now home and recuperating very nicely. He is such a wonderful dog! His happy tail wagged constantly even though he was in pain. He made all of us at Animerge smile!

 

Decorating Dangers

The holidays are a great time for everyone, including your pet, but take precautions this decorating season. Glass ornaments and tinsel can be harmful if swallowed. Extension cords, if chewed, can electrocute your pet. Keep pets safe while decorating for the holiday season.

Employee of the Month

Animerge would like to honor Dr. Peggy Hauck as our Employee of the Month. She has been an employee at our facility for 10 years now. She was a veterinarian technician with us before she went to veterinary school. Dr. Hauck came back to us as an Emergency doctor. We appreciate her and all of her contributions to Animerge.

Christmas Pet Safety Video

Missing a turkey wing???

Missing a turkey wing? To make sure your dinner doesn't fly away, we want to remind you to have plenty of food and treats for your four legged friend on Thanksgiving. Remind your guest to please "do not" feed the pets. Those tasty turkey bones can splinter and perforate the stomach and other major organs. Ingesting a bone is a common holiday hazard. Cooked poultry bones may seem like the perfect gift for your pet, but do him a favor and save them for the soup. Even large cooked bones are prone to splintering, which can pierce through the animal's intestines. Keep pet's safe this Thanksgiving holiday.

 

 

THANKSGIVING GREETINGS!

The staff at Animerge would like to wish everyone and their pets a safe and Happy Thanksgiving holiday!

 

 

Holiday Pet Travel Tips

If you plan to travel this holiday season and bring your pet along, make sure to plan ahead. Nothing ruins a trip faster than finding out that your hotel doesn't allow pets. When booking accommodation make sure the hotel or vacation resort permits pets. Check with and make arrangements well in advance with your airline, train or bus line. Click the link below to view more travel tips to ensure you and your pet have a happy and safe holiday season.

Click here to view more pet travel tips!  

Keep pets safe from Anti-freeze spills this winter season

Animerge wants to remind you about the seasonal hazards to your pet. Pets like the smell and sweet taste of antifreeze, but even a teaspoon of anti-freeze can seriously harm your pet. Thoroughly clean up spills right away and keep containers closed tightly and store them where pets cannot get to them. Just a tip from Animerge to keep your pet safe as the weather gets colder.

Doctor of the Month

Animerge would like to honor Dr. Barbara Guy as our Doctor of the Month! We appreciate all her contributions to the practice and are so happy she's a part of the excellent team here at Animerge.

Keep pets safe when the weather gets colder...

If your pet enjoys playing outdoors this time of year, be sure to provide them with appropriate shelter from the cold, windy weather we can experience. Nobody likes to be stuck outside in the wind and cold. Be sure to keep an eye on your pets and let them inside if you notice the weather taking a turn for the worse. Just a fall tip from your friends at Animerge.

Join Animerge's BOOK CLUB!

Join Animerge's Book Club! November’s Selection is 'From Baghdad with Love: A Marine, the War, and a Dog Named Lava', by Jay Kopelman. We encourage you to read the book this November, and on December 13th we invite you to join us in a blog discussion. Read Lava's story this month and join us for discussions on December 13th.

                                                                           LAVA

Click here to be directed to Amazon.com and check out this months book...

Rat Poison Safety and Pets

Rat poison is used to get rid of unwanted rodents in your household, but rat poison is a bait! This works for pets as well as rodents. Ingestion of rat poison can be fatal to your pet if not caught quickly enough. Baits should be placed in areas that are accessible only to the rodents, such as the roof cavity, betwee...n walls, and in known rat runs. Visit our Youtube channel by clicking the link below and view our latest video to learn more about rat poison and why it is such a risk to pets.

Click here to visit our Youtube channel and learn more about rat poison and why it is such a risk to pets!

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Keep pets safe as the holidays approach...

While people love the sights and smells of the Thanksgiving season, this can be a dangerous time for your pet. Their sense of smell is hundreds of times better than ours…and can get them into trouble! Be sure to keep rich foods and gifts of food out of reach of your pet. For a special holiday treat, pour sodium-free broth over your pet’s regular food.

Animerge welcomes three new Veterinary Technicians!

Animerge is proud to welcome three new Veterinary Technicians to our practice. Rob Ratel, Jillian Walters and Denise Salon. We are so excited to have them be a part of the excellent team at Animerge!

November's Employee of the Month

Animerge would like to honor Dr. Dean Newton as Adminstrator of the Month!

Dr. Dean Newton has been the Director of Animerge since 1989. He is a 1976 graduate of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State University. He worked in general practice in upstate NY for several years. He then continued his education with a residency in Theriogenology at Michigan State University, followed by employment with the New York State College of Veterinary Medicine in the department of pathology.

Dr. Newton came to the Garden State as the chief veterinarian of Lana Lobell Farms, a large Standardbred nursery where he was responsible for the care of 1200 animals, comprising the breeding program, reproductive pathology and microbiology, foal and yearling care.

He has participated in many clinical trails, including the use of innovative vaccines and treatments in horses. He brings his wealth of experience in all aspects of veterinary medicine to Animerge where he has been enjoyed being an emergency clinician since 1989.

In 2006 Dr. Newton spearheaded an ambitious expansion and remodeling project, transforming Animerge into a 24/7 facility in May of 2007. With the enhanced technologies and additional medical space available, he helped Animerge add specialty services by bringing on a full time board certified surgeon and two part-time ophthalmologists with others soon to follow.

Dr. Newton is a member of the AVMA, NJVMA, NJ Metropolitan VMA, AAEP, and the Society of Theriogenology.

He has four children, one of whom is preparing for a career in veterinary medicine. His wife, Dr. Karan Oberhansley, has a successful small animal practice. His interests include biking, fishing, and aviation, and is a part-time flight instructor.

We thank him for his contributions to the practice as both Medical Director and DVM!

Happy Halloween!

The staff at Animerge would like to wish everyone a safe and happy Halloween!

Halloween Pet Safety

Trick or Treat! Halloween means it’s time to keep your pets away from all the goody bags your children bring home. Remember that foil wrappers on candies may cause internal injuries if swallowed and candy, especially chocolate, may cause digestive upset and be harmful to your pet. Be careful what you feed your pets during this season of tricks and treats…Just a Halloween tip from the staff at Animerge.

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