Spring/Summer

Pools/Lakes: Children are not the only ones who can drown when left unattended in pools or lakes. Never leave your pet attended when they are swimming and always make sure they have an easy way out or the pool is enclosed and inaccessible.

Fishing Tackle: Colorful stinky fishing lures are very tempting to cats, dogs and birds and can prove to be very dangerous. Hooks are usually barbed and can not be backed out until the barb is removed. Never try to remove these hooks on your own. Seek veterinary help and sedation to prevent tissue trauma.

Pick up Trucks: Dogs love to feel the wind in their faces but uncovered truck beds are a very dangerous place for your pet. Sudden stops or turns can throw your pet from the truck and a major injury could occur from the fall or by being hit by an oncoming car. Additionally, there is a lot of debris and insects moving at high velocities that can cause eye injuries. It is best if your pet is secured inside your truck.

Videos:

Spring & Summer Tips

Xylitol Tip

Toxin Reminders:

• Cocoa Bean Mulch
• Chocolate (semi-sweet and dark), the higher the level of cocoa the greater the toxicity
• Macadamia Nuts
• Grapes and Raisins
• Baby food containing onion powder or garlic
• Alcohol
• Almonds
• Caffeine
• Coffee Grounds
• Raw cloves of garlic
• Mushrooms
• Onions
• Tobacco
• Xylitol

Bite Wounds: Spring and summer are the times when dog parks are full of dogs. Many of these dogs are harmless but when faced with certain conditions a dog can turn suddenly and bite.

• Stay close to your pet.
• Introduce your dog to other dogs and watch their responses.
• If all is friendly, then it is safe to let them play.
• If any type of aggression is shown, take your dog to another part of the park and find a new playmate.
• Do not try to break up a fight by getting in the middle. Use leashes or water to separate the dogs.
• If you or your pet receives a bite wound, seek medical help to prevent infection.

Windows: Whether you live in a private home or an apartment, you'll be tempted to open windows to let in the fresh air. Be sure to keep screens or protective bars on your windows to prevent your pets from escapes or falls. And bird owners should make sure their feathered friends are protected from drafts.

Spring Clean-ups: Keep all household cleaners and chemicals out of reach of your pets.

Lawn Care: Lawn chemicals can be very toxic if ingested. Try to keep your pet off new fertilized lawns for 24 hours. Always save to original bag for later reference if ingestion occurs. If your pet does ingest these chemicals, contact your veterinarian, ASCPA, or us at the Veterinary Emergency Service.

Cars: Never leave your pet unattended in your car. While it is never a good season to leave a pet in a car attended, summer can be particularly deadly. Don't lull yourself into a false sense of security by leaving the window open. It never takes long for heat to rise and you're pet to suffer from heat stroke.

Heat Stroke: This is very serious and you should always seek medical care. It does not always take much on a warm day for a dog or cat to experience heat stroke. If your pet experiences a heat related issue cover them with a cool wet towel and transport to your veterinarian immediately.