Choose a season: Spring

Spring Warnings For Pet Owners

Spring Safety Suggestions

The cold days are almost gone and the dog (and cat) days of summer are rapidly approaching. These days also bring about some potential hazards for our pets. Owners need to take precautions to eliminate exposure to potentially harmful substances and situations. Prevention is the best medicine! However if you believe your pet has been exposed to any of these springtime hazards, call or go to your veterinarian immediately.

 

Rat poison:

Most of the commonly used rat baits are anticoagulants, which inhibit the ability of the blood to clot. The dog and cat can also become poisoned by ingesting the poison or ingesting a rat or mouse that has eaten the poison. Bleeding may be evident. However, most bleeding is internal with more subtle signs to include: difficulty breathing, bloody urine, bruising of the skin, white gums, and weakness. The antidote for this type of poison is vitamin K1. The pet may require treatment with vitamin K1 for 30 days or more. A blood transfusion may be required. Keep your pet away from areas that house rat bait and inform the exterminators about your pets.

Spider/Insect Bites:

Bees, yellow jackets, wasps, hornets, spiders, and fire ants are common problems for pets during the warmer days. Most bites occur on the face and paws as the pet investigates and plays with the insect. Most reactions manifest as itching with swelling of the face, eyes and ears. Often there are raised circular areas (urticaria) in the skin. However, life-threatening reactions can result in difficulty breathing, white mucous membranes, and throat swelling. The pet requires immediate treatment. To minimize the chance of insect bites or stings, survey your yard for any nests or hives and don't allow your pet access to these areas. If your pet is prone to allergic reactions, discuss medications to keep at home to give when the first signs of itching or swelling are noted.

Car/Truck Rides:

Your pet is placed in harm's way when allowed to ride in the back of a pickup truck or to hang its head out of car windows. Any sudden stop, swerve, bump, or acceleration could result in your pet flying out of the open truck or window, suffering serious injury e that the fence is tall and sturdy enough to withstand the pet jumping against it or over it. Also check for digging under the fence.

 

Fertilizers:

If your pet ingests fertilizer, it may cause vomiting, diarrhea, rigid or weak muscles, kidney and liver damage, seizures, and if severe, death. The signs will depend on how much is ingested and which fertilizer it is.

Weed killers/insecticides:

Most of these substances are organophosphates. When ingested or sprayed topically in toxic amounts, these substances will cause salivation, urination, tearing, diarrhea, tremors, seizures, difficulty breathing, and eventually death if untreated. There is an antidote for these organophosphate compounds.

As always, the Animal Emergency Center and Referral Services is available to answer your questions and help your pet, as an extension of your veterinarian. We are here for you nights, weekends, and holidays - 24 hours, 7 days per week...(414) 466-3621.