Winter
Pet CareTips
Advice
For The Colder Winter Months
And Holiday Season
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Heartworm
Disease: This mosquito-transmitted
disease can be fatal to your dog. IN the
areas that have a year-round mosquito problem
it is recommended that dogs be kept on a
heartworm preventative throughout the year.
After having your dog tested for heartworms
by your veterinarian, ask about heartworm
preventatives, available in chewable or pill
form and given daily or monthly.
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Housing: Be
sure to provide proper shelter for your pets. If
yours in and indoor pet, his bed or crate should
be kept in a worm, draft-free area, preferably
elevated slightly off the floor. If your pet is
kept outdoors, provide a warm insulated pet house
or shelter. The house should be elevated enough
so that moisture cannot accumulate inside. If possible,
provide a "door" (perhaps of canvas) to keep out
the winter winds. If your pet is in a pen, you
might block the wind and weather with bales of
straw and stretch canvas over the top of the pen.
If the wind chill or other weather conditions become
severe, bring your pet inside.
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Frostbite: Remove
ice and snow from your pet's paws and coat at
once. Frostbitten skin may turn reddish, white
or gray, and it may be scaly or sloughing. If
you suspect frostbite, take your pet to a warm
place immediately. Thaw out frostbitten areas
slowly by applying warm, moist towels that are
changed frequently. Continue until the affected
area becomes flush. Contact your veterinarian
as soon as possible; he/she will probably want
to evaluate the seriousness of the condition.
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Snow
Removal Salt: Some substances produced
to melt ice and snow have low to moderate toxicity,
depending on the ingredients and amount ingested.
Read the labels and take necessary precautions.
Keep these products stored in tight containers
out of your pet's and children's reach and
be sure to remove salt from your pet's paws
immediately.
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Antifreeze: Even
a very small amount of antifreeze can be fatal.
Precautions are necessary with all antifreeze
products on the market. Read labels and warnings
carefully. Thoroughly clean up spills at once.
Keep containers closed tightly and store them
where pets cannot get to them.
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Napping
Cats: Cats sometimes climb onto vehicle
engines for warmth. Before starting your vehicle,
knock on the hood and honk the horn. Even if
your own cat dose not have access to you vehicle,
a neighbor's cat might have taken shelter there.
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Food: Staying
warm requires extra calories, so feed your pet
accordingly when the temperature drops. Talk to
your veterinarian for advice on feeding your pet.
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Water: Always
have fresh, clean water available for your pet.
If your pet is kept outdoors, be sure to check
his water frequently since it may freeze.
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Special
Holiday Tips
The
holidays can create special dangers for your pets.
Here are a few
tips to help keep your pets safe during this special time of year.
- Increased
activity and visitors during the holiday season can
upset your pet's routine. Try to keep your pet on
his regular schedule for feeding and exercise and
be sure he gets plenty of love.
- If
you are planning to take your pet with you when visiting
friends and relatives during the holiday season,
be sure to contact them in advance to find out if
your pet is welcome. Because of the excitement during
this holiday season, it might be best for you and
your pet to board your pet or hire a reputable pet
sitter.
- Alcoholic
beverages, holiday treats such as chocolates, rich,
fatty, food scraps and bones can be harmful or toxic
to pets. Keep you pet on his regular diet and caution
visitors against giving your pet "special treats".
- Never
put ribbons of yarn around your pet's neck and do
not allow your pet to play with plastic or foil wrapping
or six-pack beverage holders.
- Cover
or tack down electrical cords.
Some
Other Dangers Common To This Season Of The
Year Are Listed Below:
Plants
Mistletoe -
Very toxic, all parts, especially the berries.
Holly - Moderate to very toxic, especially
the berries and leaves.
Poinsettia - Leaves and stems low in toxicity.
Christmas Greens such as Balsam, Jupiter, Cedar, Pine, and Fir -All
parts of these plants have low level of toxicity.
Hibiscus - May cause vomiting or bloody diarrhea
if ingested.
Keep toxic plants out of your pet's and children's
reach.
Holiday
Decorations
Bubbling Lights -
Moderate to lethal toxicity, depending on the amount
of fluid (methylene chloride) inhaled or ingested.
Fireplace Colors (fire salts) - Moderate toxicity;
symptoms are gastrointestinal irritation with vomiting
and a variety of other
manifestations, including convulsions.
Angel Hair (spun glass) - Low toxicity; can cause irritation of
the eyes, skin and gastrointestinal track.
Christmas tree Preservation Solution - Low
toxicity, depending upon formulation and quantity
of ingested.
Snow Spray and Snow Flock - Low toxicity,
dry particles are inert; however, toxicity from inhalation
can occur if sprayed directly in mouth.
Styrofoam - Low toxicity, can cause choking
from mechanical
obstruction.
Christmas Tree Ornaments - Non- toxic, however intestinal obstruction
and choking are potential problems.
Icicles (tinsel) - Non-toxic, however intestinal
obstruction and choking
are potential problems.
Snow Scenes - Toxicity may some from organisms possibly in the water,
most notable Salmonella.
Real label warnings on all decorations and take
the necessary precautions to protect your pet.
Gifts
And Miscellaneous Items
Button
Battery (disk battery) -
Caustic, potentially high toxicity
depending upon the position of the battery in
gastrointestinal track.
Aftershave Lotion, Colognes, Perfumes, Alcoholic Beverages - Ethanol
in various concentrations is moderately toxic depending upon the amount
ingested. The high concentrations of essential oils in true
perfumes are especially toxic.
Plastic Model Cement - Moderate Toxicity.
Epoxy Adhesive - Uncured hardener: moderate to high toxicity.
Uncured resin: low toxicity, primarily irritation and sensitization.
Adhesives, Super Glue - Low toxicity, most difficulty occurs when
eyelids become bonded together.
Artists' Supplies: Crayons, Felt Tip Markers, Pencils, Water-based Paints -
Low toxicity; however, may cause more than a mild mucous membrane and gastrointestinal
irritation.
Petroleum-based Paints - Low toxicity; primary
concern is possibly
of aspiration.
Toys - Avoid toys with parts small enough to be pulled off and swallowed
and toys painted with toxic materials, etc.
Use same precautions with children. |
