Ticks are gross, right? But what’s even worse is that they can carry a host of diseases that they can pass along to your pets (and you) if they’re allowed to stay attached for too long! So what’s the best way to remove a tick from your dog or cat? I’m going to outline the process below, as well as provide some handy tools and tips to help you even further.
Topics: cat first aid, dog first aid, Parasites, Parasite Preventatives, Outdoor cats, Dogs Outdoors, Ticks, Hiking
Many cats and dogs are brought into veterinary hospitals in the fall and winter after having gotten into a rat/mouse poison (“rodenticides”). After all, this is a common time of year for rats and mice to try and seek shelter in people’s homes and businesses, so it’s a common time of year for people to be putting out rat and mouse poisons.
While most people know that rat and mouse poisons are dangerous for cats and dogs, what many people don’t realize is that not all rodenticides work (kill) the same way. Because of this, it’s vitally important that you pay attention to what you and your neighbors are putting in and around your homes, and that the veterinary staff or the people at animal poison control are told (or better still, shown) which rodenticide your pet got into if exposure happens.
Read MoreTopics: Cat Health, Dog Safety, Dog Health, Cat Safety, toxicity, Poison control, Blog, Outdoor cats, Dogs Outdoors
Most snail and slug poisons contain a compound called metaldehyde, which is also extremely poisonous to cats and dogs. Metaldehyde kills snails and slugs by causing them to dehydrate (it does this both by disturbing their ability to produce their protective mucus coating and by causing them to swell). In cats and dogs it has a much different effect, an effect which can be quite devastating and even fatal!
Read MoreTopics: toxicity, travel with pets, Snails, Outdoor cats, Dogs Outdoors, Dog-friendly products
For many dogs, summer often means swimming in lakes, rivers, or ponds. Along with the standard water safety steps (close observation, doggie PFDs, etc) and post-swimming ear cleaning to avoid ear irritation and infections, there’s something else you need to be aware of when you take your dogs swimming (or hiking, or camping near water) … blue-green algae.
These dangerous algal blooms are most common during periods of high heat.
Read MoreTopics: Dog Safety, Dog, Swimming, Ataxia, Seizures, Diarrhea, Skin irritation, Dogs Outdoors
In the battle of dog vs. skunk, nobody wins. Right?
After all, the skunk is scared or sadly killed, your dog winds up smelling like a, well… skunk, and you’re now left having to bathe your dog (often right before you have to run out the door for your work day!).
Topics: Dog Safety, Dog, Dog Tips, Skin irritation, Dogs Outdoors, Deskunking
Please do not ask emergency or other specific medical questions about your pets in the blog comments. As an online informational resource, Preventive Vet is unable to and does not provide specific medical advice or counseling. A thorough physical exam, patient history, and an established veterinary-patient-client relationship is required to provide specific medical advice. If you are worried that your pet is having an emergency or if you have specific medical questions related to your pet’s current or chronic medical conditions, please contact or visit your veterinarian, an animal-specific poison control hotline, or your local emergency veterinary care center.
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