Keeping safe this Spring
Spring is here . . . yippeeeee. But, to keep our dogs safe, let’s be aware of some things to look out for.
Jamie, from The Hampshire Vet, warns pet owners about spring poisons in the home and garden.
March 7, 2023
“Spring is a time of renewal and growth but for pet owners, it’s also a time to beware of potential dangers in the home and garden. Here are a few things to keep in mind to keep your furry friends safe as the weather warms up..
1. Pet poisons in the garden
As temperatures increase and flowers start to bloom, it’s important to be aware of the potential toxins in your garden. Common spring flowers such as daffodils, tulips, and lilies can be highly toxic to dogs and cats. If ingested, some plants can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, and even death. Keep a close eye on your pets when they’re outside and make sure they don’t have access to any potentially harmful plants.
To help you, our nursing team have put together a handy infographic showing common poisonous spring garden plants and symptoms.
If you suspect any poisoning, don’t wait for symptoms to appear; contact your vet immediately.
2. Fertilisers
Many fertilisers on the market contain ingredients that can be toxic to dogs and cats if ingested. Look for fertilisers that are labelled as pet-safe, or use natural alternatives such as compost or bone meal.
IMPORTANT:
Keep pets away from treated areas: Even if you’re using a pet-safe fertiliser, it’s important to keep pets away from treated areas until the fertiliser has been completely absorbed into the soil. This will help prevent accidental ingestion.
Be aware of the signs of fertiliser toxicity: If your pet does ingest fertiliser, they may show symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhoea, and loss of appetite. In severe cases, ingesting fertiliser can lead to kidney damage. If you suspect your pet has consumed a toxin, contact our surgery on 01256 639707 immediately.
Store fertilisers safely: Keep fertilisers in a secure location out of reach of pets. Also, read and follow the label instructions carefully.
Don’t over fertilise your garden: Too much fertiliser can cause harm to both plants and pets. Also, use it according to the right time and stage of the plants’ growth.
3. Pesticides and herbicides
Spring is also the time when many people start to work in their gardens, which can mean using pesticides and herbicides.
These chemicals can be highly toxic to pets if ingested or inhaled and can cause serious health problems.
Keep pets away from treated areas and consider using natural alternatives whenever possible.
4. Spring cleaning
As you start to do your spring cleaning, be aware of the potential hazards that may be lurking in your home. Cleaning products and other chemicals can be toxic if ingested so be sure to keep them out of reach of pets.
Additionally, make sure to keep an eye out for any small items that your pet might accidentally ingest, such as buttons, coins, or rubber bands.
In summary, by being aware of these potential dangers and taking the appropriate precautions, you can help to ensure your pets have a safe and healthy spring:
· Always keep a close eye on your pets, especially when outside
· Keep all cleaning agents, pesticides, and toxins far from them
· Choose organic gardening options which are safer for your garden and pets, or pet-safe products
If you suspect any poisoning, don’t wait for symptoms to appear, contact your vet immediately.”
Ticks
A tick, ready to hop on
Ticks are unpleasant creatures, liked by no-one, not even the deer who specialise in carrying them around and depositing them in our woodland walks and grassy tussocks when they’ve finished feeding and have grown fat. There they lurk until their life-cycle progresses and it’s time to feed again, jumping onto passing animals.
They’re a worry to us as owners because they can pass on diseases to our pets and to us, usually within 36 hours of biting to feed, with symptoms sometimes taking weeks to show themselves.
How to check your dog for ticks
Where to look Ticks like the warm places and those that are easy to get close to the skin, like around the eyes, the ears, between toes, in the groin and underarm areas. Check the muzzle if your dog likes to investigate the long grass…the muzzle could be the start of their journey onto your dog. More details here.
When to look Depending on where you’ve been walking, check them each time you get home. Run your hands over them to detect any small blackish bugs, or lumps indicating that one has already attached and is feeding.
How to remove Finding it before it’s attached is the ideal, when it can be simply brushed off.
Otherwise, use a tick-tool or tweezers.
Position the tool as close to the surface of the skin as you can, get a good hold and twist, while gently lifting the tick out. Dispose of it, or put it into a plastic bag in the freezer in case you might need to show it to your vet if symptoms of disease subsequently appear.
DON’T burn them off, put alcohol or Vaseline on them or squeeze them off. These attempts will likely result in the tick regurgitating blood back into the wound on your dog and with it, an increased chance of disease being transmitted.
How to prevent ticks Ideally, we don’t want any ticks to get attached, so prevention is key. There are chemical preventative medications which your vet will advise. Advocate, Frontline, Seresto collars etc. These work by poisoning the tick after it’s bitten as the chemicals are now in your dog’s blood and it will drop off.
If you don’t want to go the chemical route, there are other choices worth looking at. Billy No Mates herbal tincture or Billy No Mates herbal powder.
Neem Shield Pet Spray, which is also entirely natural.
Use a few drops of Lavender, Geranium or Rosemary essential oils onto collar or harness as a preventative.
No More Bites from Herbal Pet Supplies. Claire, from HPS, is herself a past sufferer of Lyme’s disease, which is what motivated her to explore the herbal treatment route, eventually leading to her setting up her HPS business. Read her story here.
