There is almost nothing as scary as a dog fight. No one wants to have their pet involved in one, and most people will do anything to avoid a confrontation between their dog and another.
Naperville Animal Hospital Blog
Posts Tagged ‘pet safety’
Dog Fight
Wednesday, January 30th, 2013In order to successfully avoid a dog fight, it is important to understand why they occur.
The Problem with Online Pet Pharmacies
Thursday, December 27th, 2012
You may be asking yourself, “Why shouldn’t I order my pet’s prescription online? Good prices, direct shipping, what’s to lose?” Be aware that it may not be as good as it sounds. Take the following into account before choosing where to purchase your next veterinary prescription:
- When your veterinarian prescribes a medication, he or she can dispense it in a safe manner, ensuring your pet has had any recommended screening performed, looking out for drug interactions, and keeping the product in an appropriate manner. This does not always happen with online pharmacies.
- The FDA says, “buyer beware” about online pharmacies. There has been much concern about the quality and authenticity of drugs that can be obtained online.
- If you have a problem or question, your veterinarian is able to address it directly. Not all veterinary pharmacies can claim the same.
- Websites that sell prescription veterinary products without the need for a prescription are breaking the law, plain and simple. If they are ignoring the law in this respect, where else are they cutting corners?
- Many drug company warranties such as those for heartworm prevention are invalidated when the product is purchased through such venues.
Talk to us or to your veterinarian. He or she truly has your pet’s best interest at heart. And you may be able to walk out the door with your pet’s medication for little more than ordering online.
Our on-site pharmacy is well stocked and able to fill prescriptions before you leave. We are also a compounding pharmacy which means that we can tailor your pet’s medication to their unique needs. This gives us the ability to adjust the dose and method of delivery or to offer solutions for pets that are difficult to medicate, such as adding flavors or ordering transdermal medications.
Talk to us or to your veterinarian about the options they offer. Sometimes convenience is not worth the risk, and your pet’s medications fall into that category.
Baby, It’s Cold Outside!
Thursday, December 20th, 2012
Old Man Winter may be in town, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy the Great Outdoors with the family pet. If you are going to be spending time outside, however, there are some special precautions that must be taken in order to ensure everyone has a great time! Take the following into account when spending time in the elements this winter:
- Be sure that your pet has access to water. Just because it is cold out doesn’t mean hydration is not necessary. Don’t forget that many water sources freeze in the winter.
- Pay attention to the paws! Your pet’s paws may become sore or even cut when walking on frozen ground and ice. You might consider investing in some protective doggy boots if trekking for long periods in these conditions.
- Many ice-melting products are not pet-friendly! Use a pet-approved product for your own property and be sure to clean any potential contamination from your pet’s fur and paws upon your return home.
- Steer clear of antifreeze. Even a tiny amount of this sweet substance can be lethal.
- Be extra careful around frozen lakes and ponds. If your pet should fall in accidently, it may not be able to get out. Hypothermia is also a concern.
- Use extra care in icy areas for both you and your pet.
- If your pet begins to shake or shiver, it is time to end your outing. Just because your pet is wearing a fur coat doesn’t mean it can’t get cold. Just like you, the more active your dog is, the warmer it will stay. Your pet may benefit from wearing doggy booties or a coat.
- Try to target your outdoor activities for the warmest part of the day. There is a big difference between going for an hour long walk at noon and walking in the evening after the sun has gone down!
Don’t keep your pup all cooped up until Spring! By getting out, you will enjoy the season and keep you and your pet healthy and fit. Just be aware of weather-related dangers so that you can head outdoors worry-free.
Holiday Plant Primer
Wednesday, December 12th, 2012
Around the holidays, our homes are filled with all sorts of objects that aren’t there the rest of the year. Many times this includes festive plants of all kinds. These plants often end up in the mouths of curious pets, especially puppies and kittens. Some may not cause any problems at all, but many cause side effects ranging from mild to severe. Here is the low-down on a few of the more common holiday house guests:
Poinsettia
While the poinsettia plant is perhaps the most infamous holiday plant, its reputation is not entirely deserved. Its extreme toxicity is largely an urban legend. The plant is mildly toxic and irritating to the mucous membranes. While it is unlikely to cause severe illness, it is probably best to keep this plant out of reach.
Mistletoe
The level of toxicity of mistletoe largely depends on the variety, but the berries of both the American and European variety cause stomach irritation at small doses. At larger doses, it can trigger much more serious problems (including low blood pressure, seizures, and disorientation).
Holly
Eating holly can result in severe stomach upset in dogs and cats. Signs that your pet has eaten holly include smacking of lips, drooling, head shaking, vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite.
Lilies
Lilies are very popular around the holidays, but they are deadly for cats. Ingestion causes severe stomach upset, heart arrhythmias, kidney failure, and death.
Christmas tree
Don’t discount the tree! The oils and sap can be irritating to the mouth and stomach, which can lead to drooling and vomiting.
The Holiday Foods Naughty List
Wednesday, November 21st, 2012Happy holiday season to all of our friends, furry and otherwise! We hope that this is a happy, healthy time of year for you all. While we love to see all of you, we don’t want your pet to visit us unexpectedly during the holidays, so we are providing you with a list of the top five holiday foods that will land your pet in the hospital.
Top Five Holiday Foods That Can Land Your Pet in the Hospital
- Chocolate
It’s the main ingredient in many seasonal treats, and your pets may want to indulge as much as you do. It is best, however, for our four-legged friends to avoid chocolate in all of its forms. The offending ingredient is theobromine which is found in the highest concentrations in baking and dark chocolate. Toxicity is dose dependent, which means that the smaller your critter, the less theobromine it will take to cause problems. At lower doses, pets will experience jitteriness and vomiting/diarrhea. At higher doses, much more serious effects can occur including increased or irregular heart rate, seizures, or even death.
- Raisins/grapes
Before you throw a piece of Aunt Louise’s fruitcake to Fido, think twice. Raisins and grapes can cause irreversible kidney damage in pets. Some animals seem to be more sensitive than others, and there is no way to know how sensitive yours is until it is too late.
- Alcohol
Most people would never intentionally give their pet alcohol, however that glass of eggnog on the end table may prove to be too tempting for Rover to avoid. Alcohol ingestion can lead to low heart rate, hypoglycemia, seizures, even respiratory failure. Also beware of desserts containing alcohol and raw yeast-containing dough that can produce alcohol as it ferments.
- Artificial sweeteners
If you have candies or sweets around that contain the artificial sweetener xylitol, know that even small amounts can cause a life-threatening decrease in blood sugar and liver failure in dogs.
- Table scraps
Ingestion of people food, particularly fatty, rich foods can lead to mild to severe digestive upset, sometimes requiring hospitalization. Some animals may even experience pancreatitis, a sometimes serious inflammation of the pancreas.
Enjoy the holiday with your pets. Just be sure that the only holiday treats they get are pet safe!
Common Fourth of July Pet Dangers
Wednesday, July 4th, 2012
While you are enjoying fireworks, barbeques, good friends, and fun times this holiday, don’t forget to be on the lookout for the following potential hazards for your pets:
- Neighbors & friends – Keep a close eye on your pets if you take them to parties or have people over. Just because you realize that bratwurst might cause digestive upset for your pet doesn’t mean your neighbor does. Also, unfamiliar visitors and crowds can make it easy for frightened or curious pets to slip out the door. Make sure that your pet has a “safe” quiet place to retreat to and be sure it is wearing identification with current contact information.
- Not-so-pet friendly treats – Do your best to keep your pet on its normal diet. Extra treats and fatty food can cause vomiting and/or diarrhea at minimum, and could even result in more severe digestive problems like pancreatitis. Some “people” treats such as alcohol, onions, chocolate, and grapes or raisins could even result in death.
- Fireworks and other hazards – Obviously fireworks and other direct flames can be dangerous to pets. Be sure to keep them secured and out of the way when such activities are occurring. But did you think about the loud noises a fireworks display may cause? Scared pets may hide or worse, try to run from the noise. If your pet has severe anxiety related to fireworks, talk to your veterinarian about potentially using a sedative to help get them through the holiday.
For those of you who are dealing with fireworks anxiety, be sure to enter our sister hospital’s Thunder Shirt sweepstakes!
The Top Summer Danger For Pets
Thursday, June 21st, 2012
Can you guess what it is? If you guessed leaving your pet in a parked car, you hit the nail on the head. Even on a relatively nice day (think 85 degrees) your car’s interior can reach 102 degrees within 10 minutes and 120 degrees within 30 minutes.
Take into account your dog’s lack of sweat gland and inefficient heat exchange mechanisms (panting), and your pooch can be in a pickle in no time flat. Even leaving the windows cracked is not enough to make a huge difference.
Overheating can lead to permanent damage to major organs including the brain and may even lead to death. If you see a pet in peril this summer, be sure to try to alert the animal’s owner. If that is not successful, call 911. Often law enforcement or animal control can help.
As always, please contact us with any questions.
Turkey Talk
Wednesday, November 23rd, 2011
It’s that time of year again! Sure, you want your pets to take part in the holiday festivities. Make sure that you aren’t making a post-holiday vet visit, though, by avoiding the following:
- Turkey bones- What may seem like a tasty treat could end up lodged in your pet’s intestines!
- Bread dough- Raw bread dough can expand in your pet’s stomach and potentially cause a life-threatening emergency.
- Raw foods- Pets can get salmonella just like the rest of us. Undercooked meat and cookie batter are best served cooked.
- Over-indulgence- While Turkey Day often results in loosening a notch on our belts, pets who have a little too much of a good thing may end up with stomach upset, diarrhea, or more serious conditions.
If your pet does end up eating something that he shouldn’t have, please contact us.
Dog Days of Summer
Thursday, August 18th, 2011We want to make sure you keep your pets safe during these hot, hot months. Please watch out for the following summer hazards:
- Heat stroke: It may be the most obvious hazard, but don’t forget that pets can overheat and even die from high temperatures. Never leave an animal in a car, even for a short period. Make sure your pet always has access to shade and fresh water.
- The sun: It may sound like a good idea to shave down your golden retriever, but your pet’s coat provides insulation from the heat and limits sun exposure which can result in sunburn.
- Heartworms: Mosquitoes transmit heartworms, which are just what they sound like- worms that grow in the heart. Not a good thing. Keep your pet on heartworm prevention as recommended by your vet.
- Fleas: These nasty little buggers are at their peak during the warm months of the year. Preventatives prescribed by your vet are very effective at keeping fleas at bay.
- Parties: Fido may want to crash the neighborhood block party, but be sure you limit his consumption of extra treats that may make him sick. Alcohol is also a big danger as well as garbage cans full of tasty treats like leftover bones.
Summer can be a fun time for your pet, but there are many dangers as well. Keeping yourself informed and aware of potential risks can help to make sure your summer is a breeze.
Bringing Home a New Pet
Thursday, August 4th, 2011You have finally done it. After months of research and careful planning, you are driving home with a new family member. But now that you have taken the plunge, where do you go from here?
First of all, before you bring your new “baby” home, you need to be sure that your home is pet-proofed. Make sure any potentially toxic items are put where an animal cannot get to them. Don’t forget, pets have teeth as well, so things like electrical cords can be very dangerous. Baby gates can make keeping your new addition corralled easier.
Remember that this is probably as stressful a time for your new pet as it is for you. Do not overwhelm it. Make sure time to acclimate to new surroundings is allowed before introducing him or her to other pets or the family next door. Give your new dog or cat some private time as well.
Try to get into a routine so your pet can be comfortable in knowing what to expect. Meal times, play times, and potty times should fall around the same time.
Lastly, make sure to take your new pet to visit your veterinarian within a few days after bringing it home. This will allow you to establish a relationship between your pet and vet and give you a chance to ask questions and address concerns.
Congratulations and good luck with your new little bundle of joy!
Join Us On Facebook
Follow Us On Twitter
View Our YouTube Channel