• Pet proof your home by eliminating unsafe conditions and substances. Remember, your puppy or kitten is much closer to the ground than you and can find small objects which may be swallowed. Most young pets are curious and will chew or taste almost anything they find, so take the same precautions with drugs, household products, insecticides, electrical wires, etc. as you would with a toddler.
• know where your pet is at all times. Pets like to investigate and sometimes hide in or get locked in strange places. Do a pet check before leaving a room, leaving the house or going to bed.
• It is preferable, and safer for your pet, to be kept indoors. If it is necessary to take your pet outdoors, be sure he/she has a collar, leash and identification. Do not leave your pet outdoors alone.
• Provide a bed for your pet in a safe, draft-free spot in your home. Do not move the bed once "his/her place" is established.
• Teach basic obedience which may help save your pet's life.
• Keep fresh water in a clean bowl available for your pet.
• Exercise your puppy or kitten daily by walking or playing with them.
• Groom your pet regularly.
• Become familiar with your puppy's or kitten's normal appearance and behavior. The more familiar you are with your pet's appearance and personality, the easier it will be for you to see signs of illness or injury.
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Heat Stress - Heartworm Disease - Fleas & Ticks - Bites & Stings

Any pet can suffer from Heat Stress. However, particular susceptible are:

• Very young and older pets
• Pets with a previous history of heat stress
• Short-nosed breeds
• Overweight pets
• Pets with cardiovascular or respiratory disorders

You can prevent heat stress by:

• Providing plenty of clean, fresh water for your pet at all times
• Providing adequate ventilation and air circulation when pets are kept in kennels or pens
• Providing shade cover when pets are outdoors
• Avoiding excessive exercise of pets during hot weather
• NEVER leaving pets in parked vehicles

Some signs of heat stress are profuse panting and salivation, staring or an anxious expression, failure to respond to commands, warm dry skin, high fever, rapid heartbeat, fatigue, muscular weakness or collapse. If your pet has heat stress, try to reduce his temperature by gradually immersing your pet in cool water, spraying him with cool water or applying ice packs to his head and neck. Then take your pet to the vet immediately.

Heartworm Disease - This mosquito-transmitted disease can be fatal to your dog. Have your dog tested for heartworms by your veterinarian. If your dog's test is negative, ask your veterinarian about heartworm preventatives, available in chewable or pill form and given daily or monthly. In many areas it is recommended that dogs be on heartworm preventatives throughout the year.

Fleas & Ticks - Watch for signs of these parasites that are particularly prevalent during warmer weather. Discuss the various methods of flea and tick prevention and treatment with your vet (powders, sprays, collars, etc.). Be sure that any product you use is safe for your type of pet.

If your pet becomes infested with fleas, you must treat your pet and your pet's environment. If you notice a flea problem in your home, be sure to dispose of vacuum cleaner bags after each use. It might become necessary to obtain special products from your vet to rid your home of fleas.

Some ticks can transmit diseases such as Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Any tick found on your pet should be removed promptly and completely. Using a tissue or tweezers placed next to the skin, gently pull the tick from your pet's skin, making sure to remove the head and mouth parts. Have your vet show you the correct way to remove ticks.

In heavily wooded areas or other areas where ticks are prevalent, discuss the Lyme vaccine with your vet.

Bites & Stings - Unusual swelling or soreness may be a sign of a bite or sting. Contact your vet immediately.
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We have been asked about hazards for your pet during the holiday seasons. We asked Dr. Melissa Jackson, Countryside Animal Clinic to assist us with information. Dr. Jackson says: The winter holidays are special times for families and pets. Unfortunately, some of the things that make the holidays so special can be hazardous. Plants, treats and holiday decorations are all potentially harmful to our canine and feline friends. This article is meant to help inform you of a few potentially harmful things traditionally associated with this joyous time of year.

• CHOCOLATE - Did you know that chocolate can be poisonous to animals in sufficient quantities? Actually, it is the drugs in chocolate, Theo bromine and caffeine, that are toxic to our pets. Even small amounts of Theo bromine can cause vomiting, diarrhea, excessive urination and restlessness in pets. Larger doses can be fatal. The lethal dose of Theo bromine depends on your pet's size and the type of chocolate consumed. Ounce for ounce, baking chocolate has six to nine times as much of the drug as milk chocolate does.
  
  While chocolate is toxic to cats as well, they tend to have different eating habits and are seldom poisoned by chocolate. If an accident occurs, consult a vet immediately. Treatment may require inducing vomiting, stabilizing the animal's heart rate and respiration, controlling seizures or slowing the absorption of Theo bromine. If the animal is already comatose, its stomach may need to be pumped. So play it safe. Avoid giving chocolate to pets at all.
  
• HOLIDAY PLANTS
  Poinsettias: Poinsettias, crown-of-thorns, candelabra cactus and pencil tree are all members of the Euphorbia genus. These plants produce a milky caustic sap, which is extremely irritating to the skin, eyes and gastrointestinal tract. Immediately after exposure, animals experience pain, swelling and burning in the mouth and esophagus. The animal will vomit, have diarrhea and in severe cases suffer collapse and shock. Skin blistering and conjunctivitis (sometimes even temporary blindness) can occur after skin or ocular exposure. Animals should receive immediate veterinary attention if they ingest these plants.
  Pine Needles: Ingested pine needles can puncture your pet's intestines if sharp enough. It is a good idea to check around holiday trees and other decorations frequently and remove loose needles.
  Holly Berries: The attractive red color of holly berries makes them enticing to pets. Holly berries can cause gastrointestinal upset, including anorexia, vomiting or diarrhea.
  Mistletoe: Mistletoe (especially the berries) is highly toxic to cats and dogs when ingested. It can cause gastrointestinal upset, neurologic signs or shock.
  Christmas Tree Preservatives: The content and toxicity of Christmas tree preservatives varies and often depends upon the amount ingested. They can often cause gastric upsets, so be sure it is inaccessible to pets or not used at all. Avoid sugar and aspirin additives in the water as well.
  
• HOLIDAY MEALS AND DECORATIONS - Some of the more common holiday hazards include:
  Bones : The holiday turkey, chicken or ham bones may be tantalizing, but don't feed them to your pet. Small bones or bone chips can lodge in the throat, stomach and intestinal tract. Be wary of steak and fish bones as well.
  Fat: High fat foods can cause severe gastrointestinal upset. Pancreatitis is often induced by fatty meals and is associated with anorexia, life-threatening vomiting and a painful abdomen.
  Electrical Cords: Holiday lights mean more electrical cords for kittens and puppies to chew. Be sure to have cords secured and out of the way. Frayed light cords can cause serious shock or burns.
  Candles: Lighted candles should never be left unattended. An exuberant tail, a swat of paw and candles and hot wax can quickly become disastrous. Anchor candles securely and away from curious faces and feet.
  Holiday Trees: Make sure your tree is well secured. Tree-climbing cats and large dogs with happy tails can quickly topple holiday trees. Anchor the top of the tree to the wall using strong cord or rope. Sharp or breakable ornaments, derides and even aluminum foil should be kept out of reach. String objects, especially tinsel and ribbons should either not be used or be safeguarded at all times. They are thin and sharp and can wrap around intestines, perforate or ball up in the stomach.
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• Call ahead to be sure your pet will be welcome at the hotels, motels, homes or parks where you will be staying.
• Be sure your pet has all required vaccinations and a current health certificate. Take along his medical records.
• Take along your pet's regular food, any special medications, a supply of water and, if space is available, his bedding and favorite toy(s).
• Be sure your pet has a collar with an identification tag with your name and telephone number (including area code). A photo of your pet is important in case he is lost while vacationing. Keep your pet confined in a cage/crate or on a leash at all times.
• If traveling in a vehicle with your pet, it is safest for you and your pet to keep him confined to a carrier. Never let your pet ride with his head out the window or in the back of a truck.

LEAVING YOUR PET BEHIND -

• Ask your vet or other pet owners for recommendations of reputable boarding facilities or pet sitters.
• If boarding, visit the facility to meet the people and check the safety and cleanliness of the operation. If hiring a pet sitter, meet the sitter in your home to see how he/she and your pet interact.
• Make reservations well in advance of your trip. Many facilities book/fill up early, especially over holiday periods.
• Be sure your pet is current on all vaccinations required.
• If your pet is on medication, be sure to leave an ample supply and clear, complete instructions.
• Leave explicit instructions on feeding and a supply of your pet's regular food. If leaving your pet with a sitter, discuss your pet's exercise routine.
• Be sure your pet wears a collar with ID tags. Cats should have special safety collars.
• Leave information on your veterinarian including office and emergency numbers.
• Be sure to leave a number where you can be reached.
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