Tips Archives - Fisher Glen Animal Hospital

KEEP YOUR PETS SAFE FROM THESE HOLIDAY HAZARDS FOR PETS!

Holiday Hazards for Pets

Every year at Fisher Glen Animal Hospital, we always see a few pets due to holiday-related mishaps. That’s because some Christmas staples that may seem harmless can actually cause a great deal of damage. Follow these tips to avoid the most common holiday hazards for pets!

Chocolate: Chocolate is a staple of Christmas time. What would the holidays be without it? But while you’re unwrapping your presents or emptying out your stockings this year, make sure that you take the time to move all chocolate out of easy to reach areas. Chocolate is extremely toxic for both cats and dogs. Particularly hazardous are dark chocolate, baking chocolate and cocoa powder.

Tinsel: Cats love to play with tinsel. But be careful – because if swallowed, tinsel can lead to vomiting, dehydration, and an obstructed digestive tract which may require surgery.

Poinsettia: Poinsettia can be toxic to pets – so avoid this plant if you’ve got furry friends running around your home! Mistletoe and Holly can also be hazardous. Stick to fake plants, or keep them where pets can not access them.

Ornaments: Keep ornaments well affixed to your Christmas tree, preferably out of reach of your pets. Breakable ornaments can shatter and cause damage to your pet’s mouth and digestive tract.

Turkey Bones: Many people think that turkey bones are fine to give to pets… But the truth is, cooked bones can easily splinter and cause severe internal damage for your pets. If you want to give your pet a little extra something for Christmas, stick to dog cookies, a new store-bought chew toy, or catnip!

It’s been a trying year for all of us. And with the new Ontario lockdowns beginning soon, this pandemic is far from over yet. But we here at Fisher Glen Animal Hospital wish all of you a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a Happy New Year! We hope you and your family are able to enjoy the Holiday season this year, and above all, stay safe!

For more Winter pet safety information, check out our Cold Weather Pet Safety Tips! You can also check out our Veterinary Services section to learn more about everything we do here at Fisher Glen. And as always if you have any questions or would like to book an appointment with Fisher Glen Animal Hospital, please don’t hesitate to Contact Us Today!

FISHER GLEN ANIMAL HOSPITAL’S COLD WEATHER PET SAFETY TIPS

Cold Weather Pet Safety Tips

Each year as the really cold weather begins, it’s important to know how to protect our pets. Ensure your cats and dogs are kept safe and warm by following these cold weather pet safety tips from Fisher Glen Animal Hospital!

Keep Your Pets Inside

People often wonder what temperature is too cold to leave a cat or dog outside overnight. However as a general rule, cats and dogs should be kept inside during cold weather. Many believe that because of their fur, pets will be okay. Unfortunately, this isn’t always true. Although some thick-coated breeds such as Huskies and Great Pyrenees dogs are more tolerant of colder climates, in general our pets are susceptible to frostbite and hypothermia just like us, and they can freeze to death. Remember, if it’s too cold for you, it’s probably too cold for your pet!

Take Care of Their Paws

Make sure to check your pet’s paws frequently for signs of cold-weather damage such as cracked paw pads or bleeding. Ice, salt, and antifreeze can all cause injury or damage to your pet’s feet. Additionally, be sure to wipe off your dog’s feet with a towel after your walks. This will prevent them from licking it off and becoming sick. If he/she will tolerate it, dog boots can also be great during the cold weather!

Watch Out for Spills

Antifreeze has a sweet taste which can attract pets, but it will cause serious illness or death if ingested. Be sure to thoroughly clean up any spills from around your vehicle. Keep the bottle someplace where your pets cannot access it.

Keep Their Coat Warm

Refrain from shaving your pet down to the skin in the Winter time; a longer coat will provide more warmth. If your dog has a naturally short coat, consider a dog/puppy sweater to keep them warm during long walks.

Keep Up With Flea and Tick Prevention

Remember, your dog still needs protection from fleas and ticks in the wintertime! Fleas may survive the winter in porches or garages, and tick exposure can still occur on mild winter days.

Remember To Social Distance

Above all, don’t forget to social distance during your walks to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Have fun and stay safe out there, and if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to Contact Us today!

You can also check out our Veterinary Services section to learn more about everything we do here at Fisher Glen. And as always if you have any questions or would like to book an appointment with Fisher Glen Animal Hospital, please don’t hesitate to Contact Us Today!

SPRAYED BY A SKUNK? DON’T PANIC, HERE’S WHAT TO DO

What To Do If Your Dog Or Cat Gets Sprayed By A Skunk

Here at Fisher Glen Animal Hospital, we’ve all been there: you’re out walking the dog, when you hear a rustling in the bushes. Your dog runs toward the sound, and before you can even begin to start calling your pup back, your eyes start to water as the smell hits you. You’ve been sprayed by a skunk.

If your pet gets skunked, the first thing you want to do is make sure that they are physically fine. If there is a scratch or puncture it is always best to see your vet. We can help your pet to avoid infection, and make sure you are up to date on your rabies vaccination. Additionally, you will want to check your pet’s eyes and nose well. If they get blasted there it’s very uncomfortable for them. You will need to be clean the area thoroughly.

The Best Skunk Remedy

There are many ways to get the smell out of your pet’s fur. The recipe we recommend here at Fisher Glen is the following:

1 quart (or litre) of hydrogen peroxide
¼ cup of baking soda
1 teaspoon (5 ml) of Dawn (works best) liquid dish soap.

Use an open bucket and mix all the ingredients together. Rub the mixture well into the fur. Always shield your pet’s eyes to prevent the mixture from getting in and irritating them further. Leave it on 5-10 minutes, then rinse well. You may have to repeat this procedure if the skunk hit your pet particularly badly. If the skunk hit your pet directly in the eyes, or if the eyes remain watery and red after cleaning, please call your veterinarian.

If you want more tips on what to do if your cat or dog gets sprayed by a skunk, check out PetMD.com.