Dr. William Otis offers six suggestions for your beloved furry friends.
Flea and tick prevention is important year-round but especially during the spring, summer and early fall. Oral medications for fleas and ticks are very effective and some products now give protection for up to three months.
Heartworm prevention. Many don’t realize that mosquitos are the carriers of heartworms. Here in South Carolina, mosquitos are present during all four seasons. It’s not only dogs that need monthly heartworm prevention, but also our feline friends. In fact, heartworms can be particularly devastating to cats.
For new puppy owners, make sure to see your veterinarian early in order to get started with a vaccination plan for your new addition. Parvovirus, or “Parvo,” is an intestinal virus that affects both puppies and unvaccinated dogs. Avoid dog parks, campgrounds, beaches or where unvaccinated dogs could be. The virus is extremely contagious so your new pup should steer clear until he is 16 weeks old or fully vaccinated.
Heat in the car. Heat rises in a turned-off vehicle at an alarming rate. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the temperature rises an average of 40 degrees within the first hour and the highest rate of increase is within the first 30 minutes. Remember that it is never a good idea to leave a pet in the car, regardless of whether the windows are cracked or the AC is on.
Allergies. This time of year, animals may begin showing clinical signs of atopic allergies (which usually manifest in humans as respiratory issues). Keep an eye out for your animal scratching, as you made need to see your veterinarian before things get out of control.
Cats during Easter. This is a problem that is not highly publicized but is quite common. Easter lilies are beautiful this time of year, yes, but if consumed by your cat, they can cause kidney failure. Either keep them out of reach, or choose other flowers for your floral arrangement.
