Springtime is the season where many things grow, including weeds. As you apply your weed killers this spring, remember to keep your pet out of the yard until the weed killer is absorbed or diluted by water. Also, be careful when you sow your lawn when there are pets in the area.
Allergies also start up in the spring, just as they do in people. Early treatment of an allergic condition can often help reduce the side effects of allergies. One must keep in mind that most allergies are not curable, but are treatable.
As spring approaches, so do the internal and external parasites. Hopefully, you have kept your dog on heartworm preventative all year round. If your pet has been taken off heartworm preventative, you must have your pet checked for heartworms prior to starting back on prevention. Not checking for heartworms before starting heartworm preventative can result in serious illness or death if the dog has heartworms.
Fleas and ticks have also started to become a problem. We have a helpful new product to battle these terrible parasites; call us for further details. The ingestion of fleas can result in a tapeworm problem often noticed as small rice-like objects seen on your pet's rear area. To check for other internal parasites, we need to examine a fecal sample under a microscope. These internal parasites (roundworms, hookworms and whipworms) can cause diarrhea, weight loss, or even vomiting. All parasites can be harmful to your pet if he or she is young or in poor health.
Have you noticed your pet shaking his/her head? Or scratching his/her ears? This behavior could be due to an ear infection, which needs prompt attention. If the ears are not properly treated, the infection may go deep into the ear, rupturing the ear drum. If this happens, then the infection becomes very serious because it is so close to the brain.
Medical attention needs to be given to your pet if you notice him or her shaking their ears. Dogs tend to get bacterial and yeast ear infections, while cats tend to get ear mites. Ear mite infection usually produces a blackish discharge in the ear canal and is often spread to other cats. Again, prompt treatment is needed to correct this problem.
It is very important that you follow all of the doctor's instructions when your pet is sent home after surgery. You should keep the incision clean and not let it get soiled. A dirty incision may become infected.
Your pet will usually be sleepy for a day or so following a major surgery. Any operation is a serious matter and you need to take special care of your pet following such an operation. Please call us if you have questions or concerns.
A young animal needs at least three sets of vaccines spaced four weeks apart. The reason for this is that the immune system is just developing and needs to be stimulated several times, so that it will be at a high enough level to fight off a disease. It is very important that all vaccines be given including the following: For dogs, DHLP-P (canine distemper, hepatitis, leptosperosis, parainfluenza and parvovirus), bordatella (kennel cough), lyme disease vaccine and rabies. Cats need FVRCP (feline distemper, rhinotracheitis, calicivirus), feline leukemia virus and rabies.
Many people feel that they know how to give their pet's vaccines. This can be a great problem for a number of reasons which are as follows: when to give a vaccination, where to give a vaccination, how to give a vaccination and the quality of the vaccine. The feed store does not always ensure proper handling of a vaccine, which may lead to vaccine malfunction. All in all, a qualified person should administer a vaccine to your pet and design a vaccine program to ensure the safety for your pet(s).
The winter season brings lots of fun holiday festivities, but pet-owners should keep in mind the following special precautions: The holidays are not ideal for introducing a pet into your family. New puppies and dogs require extra attention and a stable environment, which the holiday season doesn't permit. Also, a puppy is not a toy or gift that can be returned. Instead, we suggest giving a gift representative of the dog to come, such as a toy, a leash, or a bed. Holly, mistletoe and poinsettia plants are pet poisons! Make sure they are kept in places your dog cannot reach. Review holiday gifts for dogs to make sure they are safe. Items such as plastic toys and small rawhide sticks may be dangerous. Remove holiday lights from lower branches of your tree. They may get very hot and burn dogs. Watch out for electrical cords. Pets often try to chew them and may get badly shocked or electrocuted. Place wires out of reach. Avoid using glass ornaments. They break easily and may cut a dog's feet and mouth. Refrain from using edible ornaments. Your dog may knock the tree over in an attempt to eat them. Also, commercial ornaments may contain paint or toxins in the preservatives. Whether your tree is live or artificial, both kinds of needles are sharp and indigestible. Don't leave your dog unattended in the room with the tree. Tinsel is dangerous for dogs. It may obstruct circulation and, if swallowed, block the intestines. Alcohol and chocolate are toxic for dogs, even in small amounts. Keep unhealthy, sweet treats and seasonal goodies out of reach. The holiday season is a stressful time for dogs. Try to keep a normal schedule during all the excitement.
Dogs cannot talk to us when they are sick. As a responsible dog owner, it is important to pay special attention to your dog's well-being during the winter season. Remember the following health concerns: Antifreeze, which often collects on driveways and roadways, is highly poisonous. Although it smells and tastes good to your dog, it can be lethal. Rock salt, used to melt ice on sidewalks, may irritate footpads. Be sure to rinse and dry your dog's feet after a walk. Provide plenty of fresh water. Your dog is just as likely to get dehydrated in the winter as in the summer. Snow is not a satisfactory substitute for water. Frostbite is your dog's winter hazard. To prevent frostbite on its ears, tail and feet, don't leave your dog outdoors for too long. Be very careful of supplemental heat sources. Fireplaces and portable heaters can severely burn your dog. Make sure all fireplaces have screens, and keep portable heaters out of reach. Like people, dogs seem to be more susceptible to illness in the winter. Take your dog to a veterinarian if you see any suspicious symptoms. Don't use over-the-counter medications on your dog without consulting a veterinarian.
Winter cold air brings many concerns for all responsible dog owners. Please keep the following precautions in mind: Don't leave your dog outside in the cold for long periods of time. Wind chill makes days colder than actual temperature readings. Please watch the weather and be aware that a dog can get frostbitten long before their owners can. Be attentive to your dog's body temperature, and limit its time outdoors. Proper shelter is a necessity. Keep your dog warm with straw (not hay) in their dog houses and use as bedding. Keep the area dry and away from drafts. Tiles and uncarpeted areas may become extremely cold, so make sure to place blankets and pads on floors in these areas. Be extra careful when walking or playing with your dog near frozen lakes, rivers or ponds. Your dog could slip or jump in and get seriously injured. Groom your dog regularly. Your dog needs a well-groomed coat to keep properly insulated. Short- or coarse-haired dogs may get extra cold, so consider a sweater or coat. Long-haired dogs should have excess hair around the toes and foot pads trimmed to ease snow removal and cleaning. If you do the trimming, take care not to cut the pads or other delicate area of the foot. Feed your dog additional calories if it spends a lot of time outdoors or is a working animal. It takes more energy in the winter to keep body temperature regulated, so additional calories are necessary. Towel or blow-dry your dog if it gets wet from rain or snow. It is important to dry and clean its paws, too. This helps avoid tiny cuts and cracked pads. A little petroleum jelly may soften the pads and prevent further cracking. Don't leave your dog alone in a car. If the car engine is left on, the carbon monoxide will endanger your dog's life. If the engine is off, the temperature in the car will get too cold.
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