Hiking and Biking and Dog Parks...Oh My! Off Leash Safety

By Kate Dickson

Customer Care Coordinator

Brookfield Animal Hospital

The moment the temperatures rise above freezing, your dog is thinking one thing; DOG PARK! Dog parks are a great way for your pup to burn off extra energy, lose those winter pounds they may have gained and of course, to socialize. Socializing and exercise are key to help your dog stay happy and balanced, but keeping him safe during these activities is just as important. Whether you’re taking your pup on a long hike, a jog around the block or a quick jaunt to the dog park, there are certain steps and precautions you can take to make sure everyone has a good time and comes home tired, happy and ready to relax.

                When it comes to exercise, your dog’s body needs time to adjust to vigorous movement, much like yours does. Although you can see the eager look in your dog’s eyes when you say, “Wanna go for a walk?,” it’s best to ease him into a walking/jogging routine. Start small and give him plenty of time to rest up between active periods. Stay vigilant and take notice if your pet exhibits any change in gait, limping or damage to their paw pads. Gradually increase the activity level and you’ll reach your goal before you know it.

                When taking your pet on a trip, near or far, don’t forget to pack supplies for him as you would yourself. Extra water, a bowl, some snacks and an extra leash are just a few suggestions. It’s also not commonly known, but dogs can also get sunburned! It’s a good idea to apply some dog-safe sunscreen to your pooch before heading out, and reapply if you’re spending more than a couple hours in the sun. Always make sure your dog is wearing proper identification as well as a current rabies tag at all times, in case you get separated during your outing.

Adventures are sure to strengthen your bond with your pup, but never underestimate the power of good recall! Recall is the ability for your dog to come right to you when you call him, either using his name or another command. If you intend on having your dog off-leash in public, a strong recall is invaluable.

                Dog parks are a great tool for socializing your dog at any age, but keep in mind that the only supervision present is other pet owners. It’s a great idea to read up on some basic dog language to ensure your dog is having fun and behaving appropriately.  Dogs communicate in many different ways, but eye contact and body posturing are the easiest mannerisms to pick out. A dog in play is often loose and wiggly. Adversely, a warning sign for other dogs is stiff posturing and direct eye contact. An easy way to stop any potential issues before they arise is to simply walk in-between the two dogs, focusing on your dog and taking his attention away from the other dog. Dogs can absolutely get tired out and cranky, so know when it’s time to pack it up and head home.

Always be an advocate for your dog. You are the sole person responsible for their health, safety, behavior and well-being. Reach out to your veterinarian if you have questions about their health. Keep them well exercised in both body and mind and get the most out of your summer! 

Skunk Danger

We want you to be aware of the possible skunk spray dangers when your pet, usually a dog or a cat, is sprayed. Generally, your pet will be just fine when, and if, he or she gets sprayed by a skunk. You will have nothing more to worry about 

than the horrible smell you now have to get rid of. There are, however, some possible side effects that can be quite dangerous. When your dog or cat is sprayed by a skunk, you need to check for a couple of things. These include:

* Make sure your pet has not been bitten or scratched by the skunk during the incident. Check your pet thoroughly from head to tail. If you find a bite mark or a scratch that has broken the skin, contact Brookfield Animal Hospital immediately for advice.

* Quickly determine where on your pet's body, he or she has been sprayed. If your dog or cat has been sprayed in the face or in the mouth, let Brookfield Animal Hospital know and follow the instructions given.

Today is Take Your Cat to the Vet Day

How long has it been since your cat visited us at Brookfield Animal Hospital? Today is National “Take Your Cat to the Vet” Day! If your cat is due for a visit, it’s time to get them checked. Remember, there’s supposed to be 6-12 months between each visit, depending on your pet’s age! Regular visits can help your cat live longer, because we can identify and treat problems sooner.

Pets & Truck Beds

You may sometimes see dogs riding in the beds of pick-up trucks, and it may look like they’re having fun, but it’s extremely dangerous. As pet owners, it’s our job to set boundaries for our pets to ensure their safety. We advise all pet owners to never allow their pet to ride in the back of a pick of truck, as the result could be seriously injury or even death. Be safe! Let your pet ride in the cab with you.

Pets & Pool

Does your pet like to swim? Many pets enjoy the water and love to jump in the pool on hot summer days. Don’t forget that it’s just as important to supervise your pet while swimming as it is to supervise your children. Pets especially may accidentally swallow pool water while swimming, causing them to consume harmful and sometimes toxic chemicals. Instead of letting your pet swim in your family pool, consider getting them a kiddie pool filled with water for them!

June Winner of the Pet Photo Contest

Congratulations to Riley!! He is the June winner of our pet photo contest, and a $10.00 credit has been added to his account. Way to go Riley! Submit your pet photos to myvet@brookfieldanimalhospital.com.

 

Pets In Cars

Summertime is almost here and that means a wonderful time to be outdoors and enjoy longer days with our pets, but caution is advised; danger lurks on these bright beautiful days. Driving around, parking, and leaving your pet in the car for "just a minute" can be deadly. Just a few minutes in a car during the summer months can raise the temperature to as much as 120 degrees -- even with the windows cracked.

June is Social PETworking Month

June is Social PETworking Month! This is a month designated to help pair families with homeless pets. The campaign allows Facebook, MySpace and Twitter addicts to put their hours online to good use by advertising adoptable pets to their networks to help get them seen and into loving homes. So if you know of any pets in need of good homes, take to Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, and get the word out this June!

National Dog Bite Prevention Week

This week is National Dog Bite Prevention Week. 800,000 Americans receive medical attention for dog bites each year. There are a number of things that you can do to avoid dog bites, ranging from properly training and socializing your pet to educating your children on how, or if, they should approach a dog.
/Click here for more information about dog bite prevention.

Pets & Potting Soil

If your indoor cat likes to play in potting soil – be sure to put them on a parasite preventative because 15% of potting soils harbor round worm! Roundworms can be a health risk for humans so bring in a fresh fecal sample to be tested and get your pet is on a parasite preventative today!

Heartworm & Pets

Warm weather means the return of mosquitoes and the heartworm disease that they carry. Because a single bite from a mosquito could transmit the deadly heartworm parasite to your pet, it’s important that your pet stay on a heartworm preventative at all times. We can’t prevent the mosquitoes from biting, but we can prevent their harmful effects. We would love to discuss heartworm prevention for your pet!

Pets & Screendoors

Time to open your doors and feel the nice breeze of spring! Remember to put your screen door in so your pet doesn't try to enjoy the breeze on their own! They are enjoying the outdoors longer as the urge to explore new territories grab their attention. Even if your pet never wanders away, remember that in old age, pets have a tendency to lose their scent and they can wander too far to retrace their steps.

Pet Photo Contest Winner

Congratulations to Lincoln, he is the April winner of our Pet Photo Contest! Lincoln has received a $10.00 credit on his account. Way to go Lincoln!!! Submit your pet photos to myvet@brookfieldanimalhospital.com

Mobilize the Earth for Earth Day 2012

The first Earth Day, on April 22, 1970, activated 20 million Americans from all walks of life to speak out against the deterioration of the environment and demand change. As a result, the Environmental Protection Agency was created, the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species Acts were passed,and the modern environmental movement was born.

Today, more than 1 billion people in 192 countries participate in Earth Day activities each year, making it the largest civic observance in the world. This year, in the face of global inaction on pressing environmental problems, we must harness that power.

Earth Day Network is calling upon individuals, organizations, businesses and governments to Mobilize the Earth™ and demand that environmental issues become a top priority.

Today is National Pet Day!

Today is National Pet Day! It's a day to celebrate the joy pets bring to our lives and to create public awareness about the plight of many different kinds of animals awaiting a forever home in shelters all across the nation. No matter what kind of pet you own, they are a part of your family and deserve to be spoiled today.

Diamond Naturals dog food variety recalled

Diamond Pet Foods says it is voluntarily recalling its Diamond Naturals Lamb Meal & Rice dry dog food because the product may be contaminated with salmonella.
A news release from the company Friday says no illnesses have been reported and no other Diamond products are affected.

People who handle the pet food could become infected with salmonella. Healthy people infected with salmonella should monitor themselves for the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever.
 
Pets with salmonella may have decreased appetite fever and abdominal pain.
The product was distributed to customers in 12 states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Virginia. It is possible those customers may have distributed it to other states.



http://www.businessweek.com/ap/2012-04/D9TVLDMG1.htm

Dogs & Easter Eggs

Easter egg hunts are so much fun for kids, and sometimes even for adults! Finding that brightly colored egg stuffed with a surprise is exciting! But don't forget the dangers of failing to find an egg that's been stuffed with candy. Your dog leads with their nose, and if you don't find it, your pet might! Consider stuffing your eggs with something safe for pets this year. If Fido finds them, he'll be less likely to break them open and eat what's inside.

 

March is Poison Prevention Month

March is Poison Prevention Month. Did you know that some of the most common household items that poison pets include human medication, both prescription and over the counter? With over 25,000 reported cases of pets poisoned by eating human medicine, it’s important to exercise extreme caution when it comes to storing these items! Keep your medications high up on shelves and closed inside cabinets, where your pet cannot access them. It’s also important to open bottles over counters so that any dropped pills don’t end up on the floor where they can be snapped up by a curious pet. Use precaution, and give your pet a long, healthy life.

 

February Winner of February Pet Photo Contest: STOLI

Congratulations to Stoli! He is the February winner of our Pet Photo Contest! Submit your photos to myvet@brookfieldanimalhospital.com and a winner will be picked each month. Each winner receives a $10 credit on their account. Submit your pet's picture now for a chance to win!

 

Valentine's Day and Pets

Valentine's Day is almost here! This means flowers, gifts and candy for you...but what about your pet? Do you buy your pet a gift for Valentine's Day and if so, what kind of gift do you usually buy?