Dr. Maro: Preventing warm-weather emergencies in pets
Following is a list of warm-weather dangers and how you can help your pet avoid them. If your pet should be affected by any one of these, seek veterinary attention immediately:
Hot weather dangers
Dehydration, heat stroke and burned paw pads can be prevented by leaving your pet home when the heat index is high. Never leave your pet in a car, even with windows cracked, as the temperature inside gets much higher. Leaving the car running with air conditioning on has been a problem for some pets when they accidentally hit the door locks with keys inside the car.
Be aware of the need to take breaks on walks and take water along to help keep your pet cool, and be attentive to the temperature of sand and pavement when out walking to prevent paw pads from burning. Know the signs of heat stroke and get right to the vet, if your pet collapses while outdoors.
Lily toxicity
All lilies are highly poisonous for cats. Ingestion of any part of a lily plant or drinking the vase water in which cut lilies have been placed are highly fatal. If you have a cat, keep all true lilies out of the house.
Calla lilies, Peruvian lilies and peace lilies are not true lilies and are safe to keep indoors.
Xylitol toxicity
Sugar-free gum and candy containing the sweetener xylitol is highly toxic to pets. Fatality occurs with very small amounts. Check all food products, like peanut butter, toothpastes, gum and candy, for the presence of this artificial sweetener, and keep away from pets.
Bifenthrin toxicity
Bifenthrin is a type of insecticide used in yards and around homes to treat for ants and a variety of other insects. Unfortunately, it is toxic to pets if they eat the granules or lick the spray residue. Pets will have tremors or seizures as a sign of toxicity.
Avoid using this chemical to protect your pets. If your pet does ingest it, seek emergency care.
Fertilizers, yard treatments, herbicide and cleaning agent toxicity
Many chemicals kept in and around the garage or barn contain toxic ingredients for pets, fish (if you have a pond, assure there is no chemical runoff), and even bees. Be sure to read ingredients prior to purchasing treatments. Know potential environmental and pet impact, before applying outdoor chemicals. Discard any stored chemicals, which can produce fatal effects for animals.
This advice includes discarding products with known carcinogens, like glyphosates, which do not cause immediately fatal results, but affect pet and human health.
Blue-green algae toxicity
Blue-green algae ingestion is highly toxic to pets and mammals, including humans. Dogs are most commonly affected when swimming in lakes and ponds that have algal blooms of toxic varieties.
Most blue-green algae, like the edible spirulina, are not toxic. Of the over 2000 species, 95 types are fatally toxic. Because the effects are so devastating, and pets can die with seizures and organ failure, it is best to keep pets out of ponds, lakes and other water with signage posted, and still, warm water. If pets have been in suspect water, don’t wait for signs of illness to visit the veterinarian. Get immediate treatment.
Hit by car
Vehicle injuries can be prevented by keeping pets leashed or in a fenced yard. Feline fence systems, like Purr-Fect fence or an enclosed play yard can keep cats safe while outdoors.
Bite injuries
Confrontations with dogs and wildlife can be prevented by the same advice as above.
Fipronil toxicity
Fipronil is found in many flea and tick preventives. Dogs and cats can be exposed without toxicity at recommended doses, but rabbits will die if they have the chemical applied. Many rabbit owners will make the mistake of treating their bunnies with the flea treatment, thinking it is safe. Tremors, seizures and death follow. Never apply a flea treatment to a species that is not indicated on the label, and be particularly careful in rabbits, cats and exotic species with all flea treatments.
Toxic mushrooms
Keep on the lookout for mushroom growth in shaded areas, and mulch beds, throughout the summer. Wet and humid weather increases mushroom growth. Some mushrooms in the yard contain toxins and hallucinogens. If your pet is seen eating mushrooms, stop him, and take him and a sample of the mushroom to the vet. If you see your dog acting woozy, nauseated or trembling after a trip outside, take a quick look around the yard on your way to getting him to the veterinarian. Be ready to report any possible toxin ingestion to aid your vet in a speedy diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Dr. Cynthia Maro is a veterinarian at the Ellwood Animal Hospital in Ellwood City and the Chippewa Animal Hospital in Chippewa Township. She writes a biweekly column on pet care and health issues. If you have a topic you’d like to have addressed, email ellwoodvet@msn.com.