Protect your pets from springtime hazards
The birds are chirping; there’s a gentle breeze and the warm sun is shining. Spring is officially here.
What a beautiful time of year this is. Springtime triggers a lot of fun and exciting outdoor events such as hiking, gardening, fishing and playing outside with the kids and the family dog. It’s important to keep your pets safe during this time of year and as we get closer to summer. There are many steps you can take now to help protect your pet for the future.
Fleas and ticks are prominent in the spring and summer. There are many different products you can use to prevent these pesky pests. Flea and tick collars, spray and monthly treatments can be found at your local veterinarian’s office, or even at pet supply stores.
Vaccines are another important step for your pets’ safety. There are many different vaccines out there that may be beneficial for your pet. Aside from their annual rabies vaccines and 4-in-1(or whatever you and your vet decide to use), there are rattlesnake and giardia vaccines that may be ideal if you hike, camp, travel and go to the water often. There are also Lyme vaccines and heartworm treatment that you can keep your pet current on.
Spring also brings the blooming of beautiful flowers. Though they are gorgeous and smell wonderful, they may be hazardous to your pets. Below is a list of some of the flowers that are poisonous to pets.
- As lovely as the clematis is,
this can cause severe illness
and even death.
- Springtime crocus fall in the
fatal category.
- Tall and regal looking death
camas can be deadly to your
canine.
- Azalea is on the list to
watch around your dog since
it can be fatal if swallowed.
- Another springtime flower is
the deadly daffodil.
- If you can remember the
word lily, you can steer your
dog away from most of those
species. Day lily, tiger lily,
Easter lily, trumpet lily and
lily of the valley are all
poisonous and could be fatal
if swallowed.
- Narcissus are not
something you can let your
dog eat, since they are on
the do not eat list too.
- Most rhododendrons can be
low enough to the ground
that a dog could be tempted
to eat the flowers; however
they are not to be eaten by
canines either.
- Foxglove is a lovely cone
shaped cluster and highly off
limits to dogs for eating.
- As lovely as Morning Glory
is, it is off limits to dogs for
consumption.
Many flowers cause mild gastrointestinal upset without actually poisoning your canine. Either illness or death can be circumvented by education of flora that can be dangerous to your dogs’ health.
No matter where you live, call the HOT LINE at the ASPCA: 1-888-426-4435 or your local veterinarian. If you believe your dog has swallowed anything that has caused some vomiting or other symptoms, consult with your vet as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the less likely the available time for something to be done to help your pet will be.
Just because the item is not listed on this article, does not mean it cannot cause distress to your dog. An alert and watchful pet owner can sometimes pick up a lethargic dog behavior or a sickly look in the dog’s eyes. This observation needs a quick trip to the veterinarian. If you know what was eaten, bring the name or part of the plant with you to help the vet.
Now it’s time to meet some of the wonderful pets available for adoption at the HSCAZ animal shelter. To learn more, come to the shelter at 812 S. McLane Road, call us at (928) 474-5590 or visit our website: humane societycentralaz.org.