Spring Pet Tips
- The Easter lily, azalea, amaryllis, and other plants are toxic and even potentially lethal to cats. Lily-of-the-valley can also be cardiotoxic to both dogs and cats
- Chocolate is toxic and can even be deadly for your pets, somake sure that all chocolate products are kept out of reach
- Fertilizers and pesticides can be very harmful and even deadly to pets, so be sure to keep these products away frompets.Try to keep dogs fromingesting a lot of grass. If there is a chance that chemicalswere applied to or have blown onto the grass, keep pets away fromit.
- Make sure you are giving your pet amonthly flea and tick preventative. It is very important to read product labels carefully on all flea and tick medications as the misuse of such products can lead to acute toxicity in them. It is important never to use a dog product on your cat, or vice versa.
- Check with your veterinarian to seewhat he or she recommends in terms of heartwormprevention. Heartwormdisease is transmitted by mosquitoes and can be fatal.
- Dogs can have severe allergic reactions to insect bites. If you notice your dog becoming acutely swollen in themuzzle, or developing hives, it is best to get him/her treated as soon as possible. If left untreated, the inflammatory response can cause severe illness and respiratory distress.
- Make sure that your dog always wears a collar and current ID tags that include your phone number. Please keep your canine companions on a leash when enjoying the warm weather.
- Bite wounds are one of the season’s most common emergencies.Make sure your pet’s rabies vaccination is up-to-date in case of such an encounter.
- Never leave your dog out in the sun too long. Dogs can get sunburned, just like people. Provide lots of shade for your pet, and always provide plenty of cool, clean water to prevent dehydration.
- Pets traveling in pickup trucks should ride in the cab or in a secured crate in the bed of the truck, not in the truck’s open bed. If your dog rides in the back of the truck and you stop suddenly, swerve, or are hit by another car, he or she could be thrown from the truck and into traffic.
- Maintain a moderate temperature in your house and leave coolwater for your pets.
- Avoid leaving windows and doors open; a determined dog can easily tear through a screen. If you do leavewindows open for ventilation, have strong screens in place to prevent escapes and falls.
- Keep pets away from mouse, ant, and roach bait or traps.
