Gd Morn. Tgif. Thought I’d share a lil information from our local traveling Vet ladies Pam and Michelle.
“Happy Early Spring!
We hope that you are all enjoying the Early Spring and the great weather that we have been having. As pet owners we are always mindful of what our Pets could get on them while out for a walk or what they inadvertently could eat 🙂
Flea and Tick Season is upon us!
The unseasonably mild winter and dry conditions may mean that these parasites are going to be more numerous this year. There are several products available through your veterinarian that prevent your pet from becoming infested. Topical medications are applied directly to the skin every 1 – 3 months and there are also newer oral medications for fleas and tick prevention. Although there are many over-the-counter preparations, they tend to be less effective and may also have undesirable side effects.
What Not to Eat!
Let’s face it. . . Dogs will eat almost anything. For most dogs, the rule is eat now–ask questions later. Either that, or deposit the evidence of culinary adventures, preferably on the carpet right next to the easily cleaned linoleum.
It’s up to owners and their neighbours to be vigilant about what might be around their house and property. For many Cariboo residents, discouraging the local rodent population from invading buildings and destroying property is a constant battle. Rodent bait, or rodenticides, are a common way that many absentee homeowners deal with the problem.
These poisons are highly effective killers when they are ingested by any animal–including pets. They work by slowly destroying the animal’s ability to clot their own blood. Over a period of weeks, the animal slowly bleeds to death. Rodent baits are formulated to be palatable, so many dogs (and occasionally curious cats) will readily consume the toxic material. When they do so, pets usually show no signs of a problem for quite some time–two to three weeks after the fact is typical. During this time, they are gradually bleeding internally. There is no pain, no vomiting and so poisoning is often not suspected until the pet becomes weak, starts panting excessively or bruising becomes visible. Sometimes bleeding is seen from more fragile tissues, such as the mouth or nose.
At this stage, many pets are in a critical state. The most minor of wounds or bLunt force, such as when playing with the owner or another pet, can result in a fatal internal bleed.
The good news is that rodenticide is one of the few toxins that has a very effective antidote. Veterinarians use injectable Vitamin K1 to counteract the effects of the toxin. (This is not the same Vitamin K that is purchased over the counter) In most cases, it must be administered for up to a month in order to give the pet sufficient time to regain normal clotting ability.
The best way to prevent your pet becoming exposed, of course, is not to use these products around your home or farm. Even if you put them out of reach, the bait can be moved around by other animals where your pet could possibly gain access to it. Equally important is to not permit your dogs to run free. Although you might not use it, your neighbours might have rodenticide on their property. Barns, sheds and cabins with part-time or summer residents are attractive areas for rodents, so it is particularly important to prevent your pet from investigating those places.
Please keep enjoying the great weather and we look forward to seeing all of you and your pets soon. Please call or email us for your pets next appointment.
Pam & Michelle
[email protected]
250-644-PETS (7387)
Thanx Much ladies for your fine service ~S~ ” ) >Lr