Happy Holidays From  
Our Family To Yours!  
 
December Holiday Hours 
We will be closing for a few select days over the Holiday Season so our staff can spend time with loved ones.
  • Christmas Eve: Monday, December 24th: 7:30am-Noon
  • Christmas Day: Tuesday, December 25th: CLOSED
  • Wednesday, December 26th - Normal business hours (7:30am-8:30pm)
  • New Year's Eve: Monday, December 31st: 7:30am-5:00pm
  • New Year's Day: Tuesday, January 1st: CLOSED
  • Wednesday, January 2nd: Normal business hours (7:30am-8:30pm)
Click Here to learn more.
Pets as gifts -  
Good intentions, bad idea  
By Dr. Amy Plankenhorn

We've all seen the pictures - it's Christmas morning, and Mom or Dad brings an adorable puppy wearing a red bow into the room. The kids are delighted! The puppy is delighted! Mom and Dad high-five because this was the Best Christmas Ever!

Well, maybe it was, but maybe not. Giving a pet as a surprise gift can work out fine, but there are some important factors to take into consideration:

1)     Does the recipient have the time, energy and finances to be able to care for the pet appropriately? Kids may pledge to care for a new dog, but who will train that puppy when they go back to school? Your elderly mother may not be able to deal with an energetic kitten who could live 15-20 years. The recipient must be able to afford veterinary care, food, training, grooming, and all of the other expenses involved throughout a pet's life.

Warm Hearts and Full Bellies
 
Do you enjoy the heartwarming feeling that comes from giving?    

Do you have a special place in your heart for animals in need?

Join us this Holiday Season to help pets in need in our community. During 'Warm Hearts, Full Bellies' AHNA will be collecting donations of wet or dry pet food, new or gently used beds and blankets, pet toys, and/or monetary donations. Starting Friday, November 23rd through Monday, December 31st you can drop items off during our normal business hours (M-F 7:30am-8:30pm and Sat 8am-5pm).

Gifts to Give Your
       Senior Cat or Dog       
Give the gift of health!

Geriatric pets should have semi- annual veterinary visits instead of annual visits. This allows early detection of illness or other problems. It is also a great time to look at:
  • Nutritional needs - senior pets often need more easy to digest diets, and need different calories and nutrients to help as they age. Senior pets may need more of a specialized diet due to disease or aging changes. Increase or decrease in water intake can signal health changes.
  • Weight management (gaining or losing weight)- weight gain can increase the risk of health problems and difficulties with mobility. Likewise, weight loss can signal concerns for illness.
  • Parasite control and vaccinations: older pets' immune systems are not as healthy as those of a younger animal, so they are not as able to heal or fight off disease as fast as younger pets. Also as your pet ages there may be a lower risk for certain diseases based on lifestyles. Your veterinarian will help decide on what parasite prevention and vaccine protocol your  senior pet should be on.
  • Aging Changes: Mobility and Senility: Stimulating pets through appropriate interactions and activities can help keep them physically and mentally active.
Your veterinarian can help you help your senior have more comfortable golden years.

Cat Litter Science: Why To Let Your Cat Choose       

When cat litter was invented in 1947, it was made of grains of absorbent clay called Fuller's earth. There was just one brand, called Kitty Litter, and cat owners had a choice between that or natural sand or sawdust.

Today cat litter is a $2 billion industry in the United Sates. Much of that is still clay litter, but now silica, recycled newspaper, corn, wood, wheat, grass, and nut shells are all processed to make cat litter-clumping and not clumping, scented and unscented.

You may be tempted to buy the litter that appeals most to you; maybe it tracks less or smells good or is inexpensive or is environmentally friendly. But it's your cat who has to step in it every day, so really, it's only fair to let her choose. When you use a bathroom that's uncomfortable or smelly or dirty, it's always stressful (think about the last time you used a portable toilet at an outdoor event). Using a box full of litter she doesn't like is just as stressful for your cat.

Litter companies spend a lot of time and money researching what will appeal to cat owners, and formulate their litter accordingly. But what kind of litter do most cats like? Several studies have looked at this question.

A New Year & New Opportunities for our Help Sessions  

We will be moving our Free Monthly Help Session presented by Tristan Rehner- Fleurant, CPDT-KA of Pet Behavior Aid to Saturdays in 2019!  Join us for the first help session of the new year - Puppies WIN - What is normal puppy behavior?!

PUPPIES WIN - What is Normal Puppy Behavior?!

  • Saturday, January 19th,  11:30AM -1:30PM
  • Location: Animal Hospital of North Asheville Education Room
  • Presented by Tristan Rehner- Fleurant, MS, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, CBATI of Pet Behavior Aid
  • People Only
  • No Registration required. No fee to attend. Everyone welcome!

Please leave your puppies at home.

New Time, Day and Location of Four Seasons Pet Loss and Grief Support Group   

We have had the privilege of hosting Kathy Link and the Four Seasons Pet Loss and Grief Support Group this past year.  They have helped many families. In 2019 the monthly Pet Loss and Grief Support Meetings will be getting a new time and location with the goal of reaching all of Buncombe County. We support Kathy and Four Seasons with their new location and time, and still encourage families who are grieving to join the group for support during the grief process.

Losing a pet friend and companion can be heartbreaking. Whether it is a sudden or planned goodbye, it is an emotional time.  We understand the strength and specialness of the animal - human bond.  Starting Tuesday, February 5th, Four Seasons will be hosting their monthly Pet Loss Grief Support Group at a new time and location. They will be hosting this free group support meeting the first Tuesday of each month from 5:30-6:30pm at the 4 Seasons Buncombe County Office. (373 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, near Doctors Park and Mission Hospital). There will not be a January meeting.
 
Click Here to learn more


If you are happy with the care and service you and your pet have received at Animal Hospital of North Asheville, we would greatly appreciate your taking a few minutes to write a review online.

We have made it easy for you to review us on Google - just Click Here for easy instructions - and thank you!

Mission Statement:
By embracing new knowledge and state-of-the-art technology, our mission at AHNA is to provide the highest level of medical, dental and surgical care possible; to deliver it with integrity and compassion for our clients, but most importantly, to constantly see ourselves through the eyes of our voiceless patients who understand only that we are gentle and kind; to have as our first priority, relief and prevention of their fear, pain and discomfort and to strive to minimize separation from the people they love.
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AHNA HOURS
  • Monday thru Friday  7:30 AM - 8:30PM
  • Saturday 8:00AM - 5:00PM
  • 24-Hour Nursing Care Mon-Sat