Dr. Russell Earl and Dr. Ginger Watts
The holidays are always a fun and exiting time for our families, but bear in mind that they can also pose a source of stress and potential hazards to our pets.
Many of us are prone to putting on a few pounds over the holidays, but aside from unhealthy weight gain, many of the excess foods and treats of the season can potentially be dangerous to pets. Most of us are aware of the risks of chocolate toxicity. Even a small amount of certain types of chocolate can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and possibly even more serious, life-threatening effects in a small pet. Fatty meats, like that Christmas ham, can cause painful pancreatitis. And small, particularly brittle, bones can lead to an intestinal obstruction or perforation. As for fruitcake, none of us ever eat it, so why give it to your pet?
Holiday decoration can also prove hazardous. Though not typically as toxic as they are widely believed to be, poinsettias may still cause gastrointestinal upset in many pets. Tinsel and bright lights can be just as attractive to pets as they are to us. Unfortunately, these too may cause intestinal obstruction in an overzealous pet. Burning candles pose an obvious threat and should never be placed anywhere that a pet (or child) can reach.
The hustle and bustle of the holiday season, often accompanied by changes in routine schedules and increased visitors to the house can also be stressful to many pets.
About Dr. Russell Earl, DVM
As a 1986 graduate of the University of Minnesota School of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Russell Earl returned to his native New Jersey to pursue his lifelong ambition of a career in veterinary medicine.
After working as an associate veterinarian in a couple of different practices for the first decade of his career, Dr. Earl branched out on his own forming a veterinary relief service providing interim services to over 35 veterinary hospitals throughout northern New Jersey. Dr. Earl relief services (operating as Hunterdon Veterinary Associates) have been much in demand and entrusted by the veterinary community for over ten years now, including the Long Valley, Flanders, Chester, Mendham, Hackettstown, and surrounding areas. Within this time frame, Dr. Earl also provided services to a local, 24 hour emergency hospital.
Additionally, Dr. Earl is a member of the NJVMA (New Jersey Veterinary Medical Association), the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association), and AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association). For the past 6 years, he has served as the chairman for the NJVMA Hospital Inspection Committee. He is also a co-author of a 2005 NJVMA publication entitled Guidelines For Preventing, Recognizing, and Treating Pain in the Hospital Setting.
In his leisure time, Dr. Earl enjoys music of all kinds, hiking, theater, working out at the gym, and just hanging out with his three daughters.
Dr. Earl wishes to personally welcome you to the Long Valley Animal Hospital "where cold noses meet warm hearts".
