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Spring Care & Safety Tips
Spring Care & Safety Tips
Have a great spring with your furry friend by following these easy safety tips
Prevent the spring blues for your dog. As with all medical issues, it is better to prevent the problems than to treat them. Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially fatal parasitic disease transmitted by mosquitoes. There are a variety of options for the prevention of heartworm infection in dogs, including an injectable administered by your vet, daily and monthly tablets and chewables, and monthly topicals. The American Heartworm Society (AHS) guidelines recommend that all dogs should be tested annually for heartworm infection.
Fleas and ticks can cause a host of problems, from flea allergy dermatitis (FAD) to Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. In large enough numbers, both ticks and fleas can cause dangerous amounts of blood loss, especially in young dogs. While a number of flea and tick prevention options are available today, it is most common to protect your dog with monthly spot-on topicals, or with oral tablets. The tremendous popularity of these products is primarily due to their convenience and effectiveness. An effective prevention program for heartworm disease and flea and tick infestation is essential to your dog's health. Be sure you to check with your veterinarian for preventive recommendations.
The smelly dog
Your furry friend may have acquired an unpleasant odor due to a number of reasons: dental disease, ear infection, oily skin, or blocked anal gland. First, learn where the smell is coming from. Odor in your dog’s mouth could mean dental problems, digestive problems or underlying internal diseases, such as kidney problems or diabetes. If his teeth are discolored or he has an odor worse than his usual doggie breath, have your veterinarian perform a dental exam. Next, check his ears. If the skin inside is red or sore, if the ear has a bad odor, or if your dog reacts in pain when you examine his ears, have your vet check him for an ear infection. Next step is to check your dog’s skin for the common disorder seborrhea, usually characterized by flaky dandruff or an oily, waxy feel to the coat and a strong odor. The odor can be prevented by frequently bathing your dog with a medicated shampoo that your veterinarian can recommend. Lastly, an infection or anal gland problems can also lead to odor and discomfort, in which case your dog will need to be seen by your veterinarian.
Dirt-diggers and plant-munchers
Our inquisitive dogs might see those fragrant spring blooms as a tasty snack, and they may munch on your plants. To help prevent this, do not garden with your dog present—he may conclude that digging is acceptable. Other unacceptable fun activities are digging to the underground pipes or chewing the sprinkler heads. If a lawn—yours or a another’s—has been treated with fertilizers, herbicides or insecticides, do not let your dog walk on it until these potentially dangerous treatments have dried completely. Dogs can also become extremely ill or even die from eating poisonous plants. Your vet will have a list of plants to avoid.
Spring allergies
Blooming plants, grasses and flowers can trigger atopy, an allergy similar to hay fever. But instead of sneezing, a dog typically develops itchy skin and will persistently scratch, lick and bite to get relief. Like in human, the allergy is an inherited predisposition. If the signs of atopy occur for less than three months out of the year, oral medications (like cortisone) may be used to control itching. In more severe cases, your vet can perform a skin test to pinpoint the allergies. Visit your veterinarian for recommended allergy treatments if you suspect that your pooch may be suffering from seasonal allergies.
Springtime should be a fun time for everyone. By taking these precautions, you and your dog can have a blooming season!
This information is brought to you as a public service of Bark Busters Home Dog Training.
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