As the cooler weather approaches and we begin to prepare for the holiday season, we must also remember our four legged friends.
With fall begins hunting season and the sound of gunfire. Many dogs are gun shy and will bolt from loud noises. In their fear and flight they can lose their sense of direction and not be able to find their way home. Microchipping your pet increases the likelihood of being reunited with your pet. If your pet is taken to a shelter or emergency clinic for treatment, it is checked for identification. If no identification is found, it may be assumed that the animal is a stray and is cared for conservatively. If the injuries are serious, humane euthanasia is sometimes the only option when an owner cannot be located.
Halloween is just around the corner, and too many pets will ingest chocolate, candy and other forbidden treats. Pets can be quite adept at finding your hiding places and getting into cabinets, purses and containers, so your diligence is necessary. Depending on your pet’s physiology, chocolate can be deadly to certain individuals and for this reason it is recommended that all animals who have eaten chocolate be made to vomit immediately. Chocolate ingestion can cause tremors, seizure, heart arrhythmias and even death. Xylitol (an artificial sweetener used in sugarless gum) can cause weakness and seizures when ingested by pets. Please take these events seriously and seek veterinary care.
Remember to keep antifreeze and rodenticides away from your pets. Antifreeze causes acute kidney failure and subsequent death. When getting your car ready for the cold weather, make sure to dispose of antifreeze responsibly, as it has a sweet taste that may appeal to pets. Some rodenticides inhibit blood clotting, and the resulting internal bleeding can be lethal.
Wild animals are also preparing for winter. Coyotes and cougars are looking for food and see your cats and small dogs as an easy meal. Do not forget about the deer, elk and moose migrating. Sometimes dogs find themselves in contact with wild animals. These wild animals will defend themselves by any means necessary. The smaller animals such as skunks and porcupines are looking for warm places to winter, making encounters with domestic pets more common.
Older pets have special winter needs in that they need a warm, dry place to sleep. Elevating sleeping areas an inch or two off the ground helps tremendously to provide comfort for those pets that are not able to sleep indoors. Also, remember to increase their food to allow for extra energy needed to stay warm.
Please feel free to call us with any pet-related questions or concerns.
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