Every fall during the change of seasons people get excited when the air gets crisp and change is in the air. I’ve noticed the dogs and the cats all want to be outside playing every chance they get, but it’s time to beware because along with the weather changes our changeover to prepare for the cold increases the hazards to our furry friends. Here are some tips to be aware of to keep yourself aware of so your pets won’t suffer:
- As the cold sets in the mice do too, and the use rodenticides increases in our attempt to keep ahead of their destructive inhabitation. Use them sparingly and keep them away from any place that your pets can get to and possibly ingest because the results could be fatal. Use with extreme caution and only after seeing signs of infestation.
- Even though back-to-school supplies are low toxicity, if your dogs are anything like mine it’s surprising the large amounts they can ingest. During the fall band sale of those oh so delicious dollar candy bars our Brittany spaniel ate 17 of 24 chocolate bars and had to have her stomach pumped. Had we not found the evidence it could have proved fatal. Be sure to keep these items out of your pets reach.
- Fall and spring and are mushroom seasons. While 99% of mushrooms have little or no toxicity, the 1% that are highly toxic can kill them. It’s extremely difficult to distinguish the toxic from the nontoxic ones, so the best way to distinguish is to not have to make the decision in the first place and remove any from where your pets may have access to them. However, if that isn’t possible, you can check this PDF file: http://www.aspcapro.org/animal-poison-control/documents/zd-vetm0207f_095-100_.pdf that shows the toxic mushrooms that cause life threatening problems in pets. If you’re not sure call your vet.
- Pets need additional food so their bodies are able to generate more body heat during the colder months. All animals, including large animals like horses and farm animals in addition to pets, need to have ready access to open, unfrozen water during the coldest months.
- Autumn is the season when snakes who are preparing for hibernation may be particularly “grumpy,” increasing the possibility of severe bites to those unlucky pups who find themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time. Pet owners should know what kinds of venomous snakes may be in their environment—and where these snakes are most likely to be found—so they can keep pets out of those areas.
- Many people choose fall as the time to change their car’s antifreeze. Ethylene glycol-based antifreezes are highly toxic, so spills should be cleaned up immediately. Consider switching to propylene glycol-based antifreezes—though they aren’t completely nontoxic, they are much less toxic than other antifreezes.
And never forget, it is only through you that the RCHS is able to save lives, one by one.
