Springtime brings warmer weather, thunderstorms and increased outside activities. Because of this, the springtime can harbor many hidden dangers to your pets. Read on to learn how to make these spring months happy and healthy for your pets too.
One of the most popular holidays this time of year is Easter. While Easter should be a time for celebrating, it can pose several dangers to your pets that you should be aware of.
Easter Grass- Although it brightens up Easter baskets, the plastic Easter grasses can cause harmful foreign body obstructions, especially in our feline friends. Choose paper grasses instead.
Chocolate- Chocolate is toxic to pets. It contains a harmful substance, called theobromine, that can cause excitement, vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity and even seizures and death.
Easter Lilies- Many people are unaware that these beautiful flowers are also toxic to pets. Cats especially are sensitive to an unknown toxin in these plants that can cause kidney failure.
Easter Meals- Finally, when considering Easter threats to your pet, we cannot fail to mention Easter hams, lambs, and other rich meats. Ingestion of fatty meats and foods can cause dietary indiscretions and frequently leads to pancreatitis.
Warmer weather starts mosquito season. Mosquitoes may put all pets at risk. It is important to reduce their exposure. Mosquitoes often breed near standing water. To assist in controlling the population of mosquitoes, limit the amount of standing water by removing containers that may hold water, and frequently change the water in fountains and bird baths. Heartworm Disease and West Nile Virus are two common diseases spread via the mosquito bite.
Heartworms- This disease is transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito and can be fatal to both dogs and cats. We strongly recommend maintaining your pets on year round heartworm prevention and annual testing to keep your pets protected.
West Nile Virus- West Nile Virus is another fatal disease spread by mosquitoes. THis disease can cause a wide array of signs in both people and pets. Please ask one of our team members about repellents we have available that are safe for your pet. Currently, there is not a vaccine available for pets. We do, however, have a safe mosquito repellent spray for pets.
Fleas- Fleas continue to be a problem pest during the spring, summer and fall months. Aside from being a nuisance pest, fleas can spread a variety of diseases. There are many new and effective medications available to help prevent against these pests.
Ticks- Ticks are prevalent in our region and are another parasite that spreads diseases, including Lyme, Anaplasmosis and Ehrlichia, (We now have a test available to diagnose these diseases, please ask your veterinarian for details.) We recommend Vectra and Frontline for the control of ticks on your pets.
Intestinal Parasites- This category includes such pests as roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms, coccidia, giardia, and whipworms which all affect your pets' gastrointestinal system. Warmer temperatures and increased rains bring dramatically increased numbers of these pests. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends routine deworming every three months, with yearly fecal tests. It is important to note that many of these parasites may pose a threat to human health as well.
Pet Population:
Springtime is the time when many animals bear their young. This is also true for our feline friends. When female cats are in heat there is a strong instinct for the intact male cats to find the females and males will show great determination to contact these females. This can easily lead to cat fights and injuries, including bite wound abscesses and the potential transmission of infectious diseases. Having female cats spayed and male cats neutered will help to reduce the population of unwanted kittens, and reduce the injuries and health problems associated with these cat fights. Please have your cat spayed or neutered.
Allergies:
Unfortunately, spring weather also plagues many of our pets with allergy symptoms. Just like their human counterparts, animals can also be very susceptible to seasonal allergens. Some common signs of allergies in pets are licking of the feet, scratching, runny/reddened eyes, ear infections, skin rashes, hair loss, and more. If your pet has any of these symptoms, please schedule an appointment with your veterinarian.
Storms:
Fear of thunder and other loud noises may drive pets to seek shelter. Their attempts to seek immediate shelter may damage property and cause injury to themselves. Pets that react to loud noises can be trained not to panic through a process called progressive desensitization. Your veterinarian can review these behavior modifying techniques. The desensitization process must occur gradually, but the time spent will prove to be beneficial to your pet, family, and finances spent on repairs.
Shedding:
Cats and dogs may need your assistance in removing their winter coats. Daily brushings will help remove the dead hair, eliminate excessive matting and keep healthy, intact skin. In addition to protecting the pet's skin, this ritual may also be a treasured bonding time.
Safety:
Finally, with nicer weather, everyone should be able to enjoy the outdoors with their pets. Remember to keep your pets on a leash to help prevent pets from being accidentally hit by cars, from getting into fights, and from accidental pregnancies. As you take your pet on walks or to the park, remember to clean up any messes they make when they eliminate. It is good manners and helps prevent spread of intestinal parasites. Ask about microchipping, a unique way to identify your pet!
Often times in the spring and summer, people spend time working in the yard and garden. Yard and garden chemicals can be toxic to our pets. When using fertilizers , herbicides, and insecticides be sure to carefully follow label precautions and avoid exposing pets to dangerous situations.
When working to clean-up and re-fresh decks, yard and garden furniture and patios please be careful with these chemicals, as they are potentially dangerous to our pets. Read and follow label directions closely. Also follow the same precautions with paints and stains that may be used.
Be careful if your pet plays in wooded areas. If your pet comes in contact with poison ivy or poison oak, this could be passed on to you with one big hug.
As spring and summer yard-work projects begin, if lawn and garden equipment need repair or servicing, keep the oil, gasoline and other related products used to do this safely away from pets. These products can be at the very least irritating through skin contact, and if enough exposure or ingestion takes place they can be quite toxic.
In the springtime, thoughts may turn to fishing. Take care with fishing line, hooks and other equipment. Pets may become entangled or eat these items. Even though your pet may not go fishing with you, when you come home keep your pet safely away from these things. Also properly dispose of unused bait.
Take a pet first aid kit with you on trips with your pet. Be sure to include at least hydrogen peroxide, gauze, tape and local emergency pet phone numbers.
Be careful not to let your pet ride in the open bed of a pick up truck. Pets can jump or fall our or may be injured by flying debris or dust. Even pets riding in the seat of a car or truck are safer if secured by a restraint harness. Small dogs and cats do very well in a pet carrier.
Heat Prostration:
Because dogs and cats do not sweat as we do, they are much more susceptible to overheating. Pets should not be exercised or left alone outside during the hottest part of the day. Do not leave you cat or dog unattended in the car! The temperatures can quickly heat to a level that can cause death. This can occur in as little as 10 or 15 minutes and pets with flat faces are especially sensitive to heat prostration. Provide plenty of fresh water and areas if shade to help keep pets cool.
Maggots:
Older pets are especially susceptible to developing maggots. After pets have been lying in the yard, check them over carefully, cleaning any moist surfaces. Maggots can infest the skin of animals just twenty-four hours after flies have laid eggs on those surfaces.
Wildlife:
Prevent your dog or cat from threatening wildlife by obeying leash laws and not allowing them to roam freely. The nature of life in the wild is that most young animals, even with their parent's expert care, do not survive to become adults. Their survival rates decrease further when humans, including skilled wildlife rehabilatators, attempt to care for them. Remember, that wild animals do not stay with their young all of the time. This is a protective mechanism, and if you do not see the mother, she still may be caring for them when no one is watching. In addition, some animals such as skunks, raccoons and bats can harbor diseases that could put your pet at risk.
Featherless, downy or incompletely feathered baby birds should be placed back in the nest. Search thoroughly for the nest in nearby trees and shrubs. If the nest has fallen, try to set them back in the original position. Most birds do not have an appreciable sense of smell and will be unable to detect human scent on their young.
Older baby birds should be left alone unless they are under the attack of a dog or cat. The parents keep track of their young and feed them for several days after the young have left the nest. The parents often make themselves known by squawks and swoop attacks when the young are approached.
Rabbit nests are found in shallow holes in the ground, commonly in lawns. The mother visits her young only once of twice each night; do not expect to see her. Cottontail mothers will return to their young even if they have been handled or if the nest has been exposed. An exposed nest may be covered with grass clippings., Young rabbits are independent of their mothers soon after opening their eyes, although they may only be 4-5 inches long. Their survival is extremely poor in human hands.
Raccoons and fawns are frequently left alone by their mothers for several hours at a time. Youngsters of these species found by themselves are almost never orphans. Leave the animals untouched overnight. If the youngsters haven't moved and are noticeably weaker, they probably need care and should be brought to a wildlife sanctuary or wildlife rehabilitator. Please remember raccoons and opossums are not commonly seen during the day. Those out during the day are likely sick and should not be approached.
Enjoy this time of year; we'll see you in the summer. |
