IndexArticles
12th Nov 2008
By Paws & Claws Magazine
14 tips for keeping your dog healthy in Spring!
Ear infections are one of the main reasons for dog owners to visit their vet.
Common signs include head shaking, redness, offensive odour, frequent scratching, pain, and abnormal discharge.
A dog’s ear is a complex organ that can become irritated because of a whole host of causes. Excessive hair or floppy ears can trap moisture inside the ear, e.g. after swimming. These factors may predispose your dog to infection or worsen a current infection. Please contact your vet if your dog displays any of the above-listed signs.
1. Avoid areas sprayed with insecticides or other chemicals that could be poisonous to your pet.
2. Keep a current license and identification tag on your pet, and consider microchipping for permanent identification.
3. Check for damage to outside and fence area caused during the winter, to ensure your pet’s safety.
4. Visit your vet for a general check-up to prevent parasite dangers, seasonal allergies, and to ensure all vaccinations are current.
5. Keep an eye out for snakes, toads, ticks and other poisonous creatures as the weather gets warmer.
6. Maintain your pet's coat; groom it regularly to keep shedding to a minimum.
7. Oversee your pet's nature calls; collect and dispose of any faeces in the correct manner. Do not leave it at the local park or in your neighbour’s garden.
8. Ensure your pet is spayed/neutered so that you don’t add to the unwanted pet population this season! Your pet is also more likely to remain at home if it is de-sexed.
9. Beware of poisonous plants that could potentially be fatal should your pet consume them.
10. Never leave your pet unattended near a pool or lake as it could drown.
11. Keep any fishing tackle stored away from your pet; the colourful smelly fishing lures are very tempting to cats, dogs and birds, and can 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.
12. If you dog must travel on a truck bed, please ensure that it’s covered to avoid your dog from burning its paws on the hot metal. Also ensure that your dog is secured and unable to jump off when vehicle is moving. Additionally, there is a lot of debris and insects moving at high speed that can cause eye injuries. It is best if your dog is secured inside your truck.
13. With the weather becoming warmer, pay extra attention to any signs of ‘heat stroke’ in your pet. This can be very serious and you should always seek veterinary care. If your pet experiences a heat-related issue, cover it with a cool wet towel and take it to your veterinarian immediately.
14. Ensure that you are up to date your pet spot-on treatments at this time of year – e.g. Frontline, Advocate, Advantage, Revolution, and for dogs only, Advantix.
