Heartworm Disease: This mosquito-transmitted disease can be
fatal to your dog. In areas that have a year-round mosquito
problem, it is recommended that dogs be kept on a heartworm
preventative throughout the year. After having your dog tested
for heartworm by your veterinarian, ask about heartworm
preventatives, available in chewable or pill form and given
daily or monthly.
Frostbite: Remove ice and snow from your pet's paws and coat at
once. Frostbitten skin may turn reddish, white or gray, and it
may be scaly or sloughing. If you suspect frostbite, take your
pet to a warm place immediately. Thaw out frostbitten areas
slowly by applying warm moist towels that are changed
frequently. Continue until the affected areas become flushed.
Contact your veterinarian as soon as possible; he/she will
probably want to evaluate the seriousness of the conditions.
During the holidays, keep chocolate out of the reach of dogs.
Chocolate is poisonous to dogs and can kill them. Call your vet
immediately if your dog does ingest a large quantity.
All animals, wild and domestic, are naturally attracted to
sweets. While the taste of antifreeze is sweet, it is also
poisonous. Clean spills up quickly. Or, even better, purchase
antifreeze that is "pet safe." Even a very small amount of
antifreeze can be fatal. Precautions are necessary with all
antifreeze products on the market. Read labels and warning
carefully. Thoroughly clean up spills at once. Keep containers
closed tightly and store them where pets cannot get to them.
Snow Removal salt is caustic to animal paws. It can burn the
paws as well as make the animal sick when they lick their paws.
Shovel regularly and use a less hazardous substance such as
kitty litter. Other substances produced to melt ice and snow
have low to moderate toxicity, depending on the ingredients and
amount ingested. Read the labels and take necessary precautions.
Keep these products stored in tight containers out of your pet's
and children's reach and be sure to remove salt from your pet's
paws immediately.
As the daylight hours become shorter, use a reflective collar on
your dog when walking in the evening. A jacket with reflective
tape for you, along with a flashlight will keep both of you
safe.
Napping Cats: Cats sometimes climb onto vehicle engines for
warmth. Before starting your vehicle, knock on the hood and honk
the horn. Even if your own cat does not have access to your
vehicle, a neighbor's cat might have taken shelter there.
Cats will also seek warmth from the window sills where heat is
seeping out. This often causes the cat to freeze to the sill.
Again, make sure your cat is safe inside and advice those in
your area to do the same.
Be sure to provide proper shelter for your pets. If yours in an
indoor pet, his bed or crate should be kept in a warm,
draft-free area, preferably elevated slightly off the floor. If
your pet is kept outdoors, provide a warm insulated pet house or
shelter. The house should be elevated enough so that moisture
cannot accumulate inside. If possible, provide a "door" (perhaps
of canvas) to keep out the winter winds. If your pet is in a
pen, you might block the wind and weather with bales of straw
and stretch canvas over the top of the pen. If the wind chill or
other weather conditions become severe, bring your pet inside.
If you have a dog house to donate to a less fortunate animal,
please call the shelter.
Animals going outside, even for short periods in bad weather,
should have an increase of fat in their diet. This will help
maintain body heat. Staying warm requires extra calories, so
feed your pet accordingly when the temperature drops. Always
have fresh, clean water available for your pet. If your pet is
kept outdoors, be sure to check his water frequently since it
may freeze
Do not feed your dogs bones as a holiday treat. Bones can
splinter and lodge or cut the throat, stomach and intestinal
tract.
While traveling with your companion animal, be certain to have
an identification tag with information on where you can be
reached quickly
