It's safe to say, many of you might be packing up and heading out of town for some much needed R&R or holiday fun.
So we wanted to provide you with a few pet travel tips and considerations, regardless of whether your cats and dogs will be joining you for your trip or staying behind.
Read MoreTopics: dog fleas, cat fleas, travel with pets, fleas in bed, Heartworm, Rat Bait, Rodenticides, Bug Bites, Sunscreen, sago palms
Now, more than ever, pet owners are finding it easier to bring their pets on vacation with them. With the emergence of VRBO, Airbnb, as well as an increasing number of hotels and motels opening their doors to pets, finding a place that accepts the whole family is becoming more commonplace. But just because the place you’re staying at is labeled “pet friendly” it doesn’t mean that you and your pet won’t get a rude awakening.
Read MoreTopics: dog fleas, cat fleas, travel with pets, fleas in bed, chocolate toxicity, Rat Bait, Rodenticides, sago palms
Each autumn and winter, there is a concerning rise of dog and cat poisonings due to rat and mouse poisons (rodenticides) that are seen in veterinary hospitals and animal ERs throughout the world.
With the declining temperatures and summer’s food bounty going away, rats and mice start seeking shelter and food in our homes, garages, sheds, and barns. To combat them, many people will put out rodenticides — chemicals and “baits” designed to kill rats and mice.
Unfortunately, cats and dogs will often be the first to take the bait. And as if that weren't enough, they can also be affected by eating poisoned rodents! Signs of rodenticide toxicity can be seen within hours to days, depending on the type of rodenticide used. Common clinical signs include:
Read MoreTopics: Dog Safety, Cat Safety, pet safety tips, pet safety, toxicity, toxicity in cats, Dog Emergency, Kidney Failure, poison control for dogs, Cat Emergency, Toxicity in dogs, Poison control, Poison control for cats, Breathing problems, Seizures, Rat Bait, Lethargy, Internal Bleeding, Coughing, Rodenticides, Vomitting
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.
Please share your experiences and stories, your opinions and feedback about this blog, or what you've learned that you'd like to share with others.