Posts Tagged: spring pet safety tips

Spring has arrived in Iowa!  With the warmer weather comes flowers blooming, spring cleaning and lots of rain! This means there are potential springtime hazards for your furry companions.

Easter

When spring arrives, we know that Easter is not far behind.  With Easter comes lilies and candy, items that are very toxic to pets.  If ingested lilies can be fatal to our feline friends, even with just a few bites.  Chocolate goodies are also toxic to both dogs and cats.  The plastic grass in Easter baskets can also cause an obstructed digestive track, causing severe vomiting and dehydration.  If you suspect your pet has ingested any of these items, it’s time to visit your Veterinarian.

Rain and Puddles

The rainy and wet season increases the risk of your dog contracting Leptospirosis, a bacterial disease that is spread by wild anim als.  Leptospirosis (lepto) can cause liver and kidney damage.  It is also zoonotic, meaning we (humans) can also contract lepto.  We carry a vaccine that protects your pooch against the 4 most common strains of lepto.  

Screens

When the weather starts to get warm, we open the windows to welcome the breeze in.  Our felines love to lounge in the window sill.  Double check to make sure your screens are secure to prevent your cats from falling or jumping out.

Spring Cleaning

Keep those house cleaners and fertilizers away from your pets.  Almost all cleaning products contain chemicals that may be harmful to our pets.  Store your fertilizers, insecticides and herbicides out of reach of your pets.  Follow the instructions on the label carefully to ensure your pet’s safety.

Allergies

Spring can be a prime allergy time for pets just like us.  Pets typically express allergies through their skin.  If your pet is itchy, biting at his feet or skin seems irritated, there are many things we can do to help them feel more at ease.

Fleas, Ticks and Mosquitoes, Oh My!

With Iowa weather, we see this pesky critters throughout the year and recommend preventive all 12 months of the years for both dogs and cats.  If your pet is not on parasite prevention, now is the time to start!

To set up an appointment to see the doctor, click here.

You can also contact Pet Poison Helpline for immediate assistance.