Spring
Health Hazards
As
the sun starts to come out and our plants start to grow, we find
ourselves spending more time in the garden. Some things to be
aware and careful of for your pets are listed below.
Slug
Bait
|
| • Slug Bait ingestion can be fatal for both dogs
and cats |
| • The majority of commercial slug baits contain metaldehyde in a liquid, powder, meal, or pellet form |
| • Signs of metaldehyde toxicity include hypersalivation
and tremors progressing to possible vomiting, blue/gray gums
(cyanosis), seizures, and hypothermia. If left untreated, it
may progress to death from respiratory failure. |
Alternatives
to SlugBait
*Edging
your plants or garden plots with diatomaceous earth, crumbled
oyster shells and/or eggshells can act as a physical barrier
for slugs and snails
*Beer
traps (small containers sunk in the ground filled with beer)
are also very effective
*Copper
bars and wires used around edging are a natural repellant
*Commercial
baits with Iron Phosphate are safer than metaldehyde |
| If you suspect your pet has ingested slug bait/metaldehyde this
is a medical emergency, so get to your veterinarian or
emergency clinic right away. |
|
for
Cats and Dogs
Fertilizers
As
you are preparing your lawn and garden to look its best for spring
use good common sense when choosing and using fertilizers and pesticides
outside that won’t harm your pets. Things to consider are:
• Most fertilizers, if applied correctly, and if you follow
the label and read the warnings, represent only a minimal risk to
your animals
•
However, take precaution when using chemical compounds in fertilizer
products i.e. phosphorous, or iron
•
Be aware that phosphorous and urea pellets may not dissolve and
can be a risk to your pets
•
If possible apply fertilizers between rains so it dissolves –
Living where we live is a great benefit for this tip
•
Natural fertilizers, such as manure fertilizers have less risk to
pets
•
Store all outdoor products in pet proofed places
•
For questions on the particular product you use, check with your
local Nursery
|
 Lily
Cautions |
| Easter
lilies and other forms of the lily family can cause kidney failure
in cats. Unfortunately, all parts of the lily plant are considered
toxic to cats and can be life threatening, even in small doses.
Consider banning the following from homes and yards shared with
cats: |
•
Easter lily (Lilium longiflorum)
• Tiger lily (Lilium tigrinum)
• Rubrum lily (Lilium speciosum)
• Japanese show lily (Lilium lancifolium)
• Daylily (Hemerocallis species) |
If
a family pet does eat lily plant material, within a few hours
it may vomit, become lethargic or develop a lack of appetite.
Because these signs continue and worsen as kidney damage progresses,
it’s important for owners to seek veterinary care promptly.
Online materials, including photos of dangerous lilies, are
available at : ASPCA.org |
News
Flash! 
Just
as many lilies can cause kidney failure in cats, recently
grapes and raisons have been found to cause kidney problems
in dogs. So, the next time your munching on these great snack
foods and your beloved dogs looks up at you with imploring
eyes, think twice about tossing them even a few! |
|
FLEA
CONTROL
|
| Around
this time of year is when we begin to see flea eggs and fleas
on your pets. It is important to control your petís fleas for
the following reasons: |
•
Fleas carry and cause disease
• Allergic
skin disorders (flea bite dermatitis) may cause hair loss,
itching, and “hot spots” with only •flea bite.
•Anemia
from blood loss can occur with large infestations.
•
Tapeworms are transmitted by ingesting fleas.
•
Fleas can be carriers of other bloodborne disease such as
plague and tularemia.
Topical
and oral treatments are available to kill and/or sterilize
the fleas.
Most
of these products are used once a month.
*
It is best to see your Fremont Veterinarian to discuss what
is the safest and most effective treatment for your pet. |
| Now
that you're armored with some information, you can help your
pet win the war against fleas. |
| Fremont
Veterinary Clinic offers prescription
flea control products for sale in the Clinic. |
| |
|
