Seasonal Concerns for Your Pets

As new plants and flowers burst into life this spring, so too do the symptoms of hay fever. But humans aren't the only ones who suffer. Blooming plants, grasses and flowers can trigger allergic reactions called atopy in dogs and cats.

The allergy is similar to hay fever that humans suffer. The animal reacts to inhaled particles such as mold, pollen, and dust. But instead of sneezing, pets typically have itchy skin and will persistently scratch, lick and bite to get relief. Like in human sufferers, the allergy is an inherited predisposition.

Dogs and cats with seasonal allergies will scratch or lick themselves constantly. In an attempt to relieve themselves, pets often create sores that become secondary infections.

If the signs of atopy occur for less than three months out of the year, oral medications may be used to control itching. In more severe cases, pets are given a skin allergy test to pinpoint what allergies the animal is sensitive to. Your veterinarian can then give injections of the allergic material in minimal doses to build up immunities in your pet's system. Other treatments for allergies include immunotherapy, antihistamines, steroids and medicated shampoos.

If you suspect that your pet may be suffering from seasonal allergies, please visit your veterinarian.

Summer Care Tips

Pets do not perspire like humans and can overheat quickly. Extreme heatstroke can result in brain damage or death. To decrease the risk of overheating:

• Never leave pets in a closed, parked car.
• Outside pets should have access to shade and fresh water.
• Limit exercise and play periods to cooler times of the day.
• Inside the house, you should provide adequate ventilation with screened, open windows; air conditioning or fans.

An overheated pet will pant heavily, slobber from the mouth, vomit and/or have diarrhea. Collapse and coma are possible.

If your pet has overheated, you must quickly reduce the body temperature by soaking the pet with cold water and gently massaging the legs and body. Offer only small amounts of water. Immediately seek veterinary care.

Holiday Hazards for your Pet

While you are busy making your holiday plans, please don't forget to include your pets. Holidays are a time for giving, but there are some things you should not share with your little best friends. Once you know the hazards, a little precaution and prevention will make holidays a happy time for everyone.

Bones: The holiday turkey or chicken will leave a lot of tantalizing bones, but don't feed them to your pet. Beware of steak bones, too. Small bones or bone chips can lodge in the throat, stomach, and intestinal tract.

Fat: Gravies and poultry skin can cause severe gastrointestinal upset as well.

Holiday plants: Holly and mistletoe are extremely poisonous when eaten. The lovely poinsettia may not be truly poisonous, but its milky white sap and leaves can certainly cause severe gastric distress. With so many hybrid varieties available each year, the best approach is to keep the plants out of your pet's reach.

Electrical cords: Holiday lights mean more electrical cords for kittens and puppies to chew. Be sure you have cords secured and out of the way.

Candles: Lighted candles should never be left unattended and that is even more important if left at kitty's eye level or within puppy's chewing zone. An exuberant tail, a swat of a paw, and candles and hot wax can quickly become disastrous. Anchor candles securely and away from curious faces and feet.

Pine needles: Check around holiday trees and boughs frequently. Ingested pine needles can puncture your pet's intestines if sharp enough.

Holiday tree: Make sure your tree is well secured. If you have a tree-climbing cat or large dog with a happy tail, anchor the top of the tree to the wall, using strong cord or rope. Preservatives often used in the water in a tree stand can cause gastric upsets, so be sure it is inaccessible or not used. Avoid sugar and aspirin additives in the water as well.

Ornaments: Sharp or breakable ornaments, dreidels, and even aluminum foil should be kept out of reach. String objects, especially tinsel and ribbons, are to be safeguarded at all costs. They are thin and sharp and can wrap around intestines or ball up in the stomach.

Stress and company: With everyone coming and going, watch out for open doors and sneaky pets. Make sure your pets have collars and tags on in case of escape. Ask guests to keep an eye out for pets under foot and remind them that sometimes your normally friendly dog or cat may be less than willing to deal with enthusiastic children and rooms full of unfamiliar people. Provide a special quiet place with a blanket and fresh water for your pets to retreat to when the festivities get too stressful.

Chocolates: Even small amounts of theobromine, an ingredient in chocolate, can cause vomiting and restlessness in pets. Larger doses can be fatal. While most pet owners expect a dog to develop an upset stomach after eating a large amount of chocolate, few realize its toxic potential.

The lethal dose of theobromine depends on the size of the dog and the type of chocolate. Ounce for ounce, baking chocolate has six to nine times as much of the substance as milk chocolate does.

Estimates of the smallest amounts that can be fatal are:

• 4 to 10 ounces of milk chocolate or 1/2 to 1 ounce of baking chocolate for small dogs, such as Chihuahuas and toy poodles.
• 1 to 1 1/2 pounds of milk chocolate or 2 to 3 ounces of baking chocolate for medium-sized dogs, like cocker spaniels and dachshunds.
• 2 to 4 1/2 pounds of milk chocolate or 4 to 8 ounces of baking chocolate for large dogs, including collies and Labrador retrievers.
  While a very small amount of chocolate may not harm some dogs, it's safest to avoid giving it to them at all. If an accident occurs, a veterinarian should be consulted. Treatment may require inducing vomiting, stabilizing the animal's heartbeat and respiration, controlling seizures and slowing the absorption of theobromine. If the animal already is comatose, its stomach may need to be pumped.

Other Items to Watch - Antifreeze can be lethal if ingested, Frostbite is the #1 winter hazard for pets, Rock Salt can irritate paw pads, and ToeNails become longer without regular walks.

Winter Care Tips for your Pets

The American Veterinary Medical Association offers these winter pet care tips:

• Keep pets indoors in winter if possible. Outdoor pets must have shelter and heat against the cold.
• Check under a car's hood before starting the vehicle and honk the horn to startle any cat or other animal that may have climbed onto the idle engine for warmth.
• Remove snow and salt from pets' paws immediately. Store snow removal products out of the reach of pets.
• Guard against frostbite by allowing your pet limited exposure outside when the weather is bitter. Dogs can get frostbite, and their skin will become red or gray and may slough. As with humans, thaw out frostbitten areas slowly and contact your veterinarian. Clean up antifreeze spills immediately. Even a small amount ingested can be fatal to pets.