Happy Pawlidays: 5 Holiday Safety Tips for Your Pet
The holiday season is a special time with friends and family including your four-legged companions. The dropping temperatures, twinkling lights, and crackling fires provide a festive atmosphere for cozy celebrations. Holiday festivities are extra special when shared with your pet but many traditions and meals can be dangerous for curious furry pals. Many holiday treats such as chocolate sweets and marinated meats are the culprit in unexpected trips to the emergency veterinarian. Avoid a pawliday disaster by following these five safety tips from our Animal Emergency Care team.
Feline Calicivirus: More Than a Cold
A new feline companion in your family is an exciting time, but pet owners must remember a lot about their care. Cats’ independent nature can make them seem as though they do not require a lot of time and energy. However, cats require regular veterinary care, in addition to good nutrition, and proper mental and physical exercise. The first few months are critical to ensure that your new cat is properly protected from common infectious diseases and viruses. Young cats and cats with chronic diseases are at increased risk for respiratory problems because their immune systems are not fully developed or are weakened from disease. Feline calicivirus (FCV) is a common virus affecting cats and our Animal Emergency Care team describes FCV signs, treatment, and prevention.
Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis: A Potential Lifelong Infection
Caring for a feline companion is special, filled with furry cuddles, purrs, and afternoon naps in the sun. Cats are independent with unique personalities, and pet owners know that their feline friend will not hesitate to let them know when they want treats or an extra cuddle. Owners can easily become distracted with cuteness overload when they bring home a new kitten or adult cat. However, ensuring your cat receives regular veterinary examinations and vaccinations, especially during the first few months after joining your family, is critical. Kittens are particularly at risk for respiratory infections, including feline viral rhinotracheitis (FVR), because their immune system is still developing. Our Animal Emergency Care team wants to ensure your cat remains healthy through all their life stages, and we describe FVR signs, treatment, and prevention.
What to Expect When Your Expecting Pet Has Pregnancy Complications
Welcoming a new litter of puppies or kittens into the world is an exciting time for pet owners. However, caring for an expecting mother dog or cat is a big responsibility and requires ample preparation to ensure you are ready to care for them in an unexpected emergency. Most pets, especially cats, have no problems during or after pregnancy. However, pregnancy complications can occur in any breed, and at any age. Our Animal Emergency Care team describes common pregnancy complications in pets and the signs that indicate they need immediate care.
From Lost to Found: Importance of Microchipping Your Pet
Losing a beloved pet may be one of a pet owner’s greatest fears. Our pets are family, and it can be devastating when they become sick or get into trouble. You likely have seen “Lost Dog”or “Lost Cat” signs during your daily walks with your four-legged companion. In fact, the American Humane Association estimates that approximately one out of three pets will go missing in their lifetime and 80% will never be reunited with their families. Lack of identification is the main reason most wayward pets will not be returned home. Our Animal Emergency Care team wants to ensure that your pets do not become a statistic. We answer common microchipping questions and discuss how to decrease the chances of your pet becoming lost.
Pet Owners’ Guide to Dog Bite Prevention
More than 38% of U.S. homes have at least one family dog. Caring for a canine friend is a rewarding responsibility that brings wet kisses, walks in the park, and cozy cuddles. However, dogs bite more than 4.5 million people each year and more than 800,000 people require medical care according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Being a responsible pet owner is critical to ensure your family pet does not become a dog-bite statistic. Our Animal Emergency Care team has compiled a dog-bite prevention guide to ensure pet owners understand that preventive dog-bite measures are available.
Pet Poison Prevention: Understanding Lily Toxicity in Pets
Springtime is almost here and many people and their pets will start spending more time outdoors as the weather slowly becomes warmer. Gardening is a popular and relaxing spring pastime with the fruits of your labor resulting in beautiful flowers that adorn coffee tables and dining rooms. However, many popular plants and flowers are toxic to pets, especially members of the lilium family. Cats in particular are sensitive to these flowers although others such as lily of the valley can be problematic for dogs and cats. Our Animal Emergency Care team wants to ensure you understand the dangers of lilies and what to do if your pet is poisoned.
Pet Poison Prevention: Understanding Xylitol Toxicity in Pets
The popularity of low sugar and low carbohydrate human diets has led to many creative ways to make food and sweets palatable.Xylitol is a popular sugar substitute used in many foods, supplements, and dental hygiene products. The most common accidental exposures to xylitol include chewing gum, melatonin supplements, sugar-free baking additives, and some forms of peanut butter. It is also a very common component of supplement powders, chewable tablets, toothpastes, and lozenges. Xylitol is extremely dangerous and deadly if untreated. Our Animal Emergency Care team wants pet owners to understand the dangers of xylitol and what to do if your pet accidentally becomes poisoned.
Pet Poison Prevention: Understanding Rodenticide Toxicity in Pets
Rats and mice have a long-standing feud with their human counterparts, and they often cause irritation by building nests in homes or attics or eating plants and gardens. Many people take matters into their own hands by purchasing commercially available rat poison or rodenticide from their local grocery or hardware store. Rodenticide is appealing to rodents and unfortunately domestic pets are not immune from its dangers. Rodenticide ingestion is a common cause of pet emergencies and is fatal without immediate and aggressive treatment. Our Animal Emergency Care team wants to ensure your pets are safe from this potentially deadly poisoning.
Pet Poison Prevention: Understanding Marijuana Toxicity in Pets
Many pet owners are familiar with the recreational drug marijuana which is also referred to as weed, pot, or reefer. Marijuana has become more widely legal across the United States over the past several years, and marijuana toxicity has become a more common problem in pets because of the drug’s increased availability and popularity. In fact, in 2019, the Pet Poison Helpline reported a 765% increase in calls related to pet marijuana ingestion from the previous year. Our Animal Emergency Care team wants you to recognize marijuana toxicity signs in your pet and to be prepared if your pet accidentally becomes poisoned.
