Lily Toxicity The Easter lily can cause kidney failure in cats.  All parts of the plant are considered toxic.  Even small amounts can be life threatening.  Within only a few hours of ingestion a cat may vomit, become lethargic, stop eating, and develop kidney failure.   Cat owners should remove lilies from their cat's access and use safer alternatives such as Easter orchids, Easter cactus, Easter daisies or violets.

Bee/Insect Stings and Bites:    Skin reactions to insects are commonly encountered in humans and other animals.  Insect reactions vary depending on the insect involved, the route of exposure, and the individual immune response.  Bee stings, for example, are usually severe, painful, localized, swollen and sudden in onset.  Although the vast majority of these allergic reactions are minor and localized, certain animals can have severe and life threatening reactions (called anaphylaxis).  Contact us  immediately if you think your pet is having a serious reaction to an insect bite.

Thunder and Lightning:    With the springtime weather, comes the springtime showers.  These are often associated with severe thunderstorms.  Many pets respond to these loud noises by exhibiting intense fear.  You can diminish this response by preparing your pet accordingly.  Start by keeping them in a well insulated room or basement to minimize the intensity.  Turn on a radio or television to drown out the sound.  If severe responses are still occurring, there are several treatment options available that we might be able to provide.

Ticks, Fleas, and Allergies:    Fleas and ticks are the most common springtime pests.   These pesky pests can causes itching and local irritation.  Ticks can also spread a disease called Lyme disease.  The good news is that they can be fairly easy to control with the right medications.  Talk to us about the new extremely effective once-a-month FLEA and TICK control options.

Ear Infections (a.k.a. Swimmer's Ear):      This is a very common springtime problem.   It is caused by bacteria and yeast that populate the ear canals.  This is extremely common in pets that have allergies and in pets that swim in lakes and ponds.     The best prevention is regular cleaning of your pets ears.  It is recommended to clean out your pets ears with a ear cleaning product (from your local pet store or your veterinarians office) every few weeks.  If your pet swims often, apply the ear cleaning solution to the ear canals after every days swim.   We can provide you with appropriate products if needed.

Bones:    Springtime means barbecue's, that also means leftover bones.  Although it's temping to give our pets this tasty treat, there are certain dangers associated with these.  Bones, especially poultry bones, splinter very easily.  These can cut the mouth, or worse, allow your pet  to swallow shards of bones.  Ingested bones have the potential to cause intestinal obstructions or lacerations.  When in doubt, play it safe--throw the bones into the garbage.

Exercise:        Minnesota winters are hard on both owners and pets.   With the warmer weather we quickly realize it's time to start exercising again.   Oftentimes, we will bring our pets along for company when we jog, hike, or walk.   After a sedentary winter, we must remember to start exercising slowly.  Your pets are more likely to injure themselves in the spring, while their bodies are still building up strength.  If you do run with your pet, remember to check their paws for injuries that might have occurred during the day.  Lastly, fluids are the key to preventing dehydration and heat stroke.  Make sure to provide plenty of water for your pet.