Heat

1. Insure pets have access to water and shade when out on warm days. If a heat advisory is announced, keep pets inside in air conditioning. Dogs and cats lack the ability to sweat and can overheat quickly.
2. Never, ever leave pets in an enclosed vehicle, because cars can heat up to over 100 degrees in one minute. If you see an animal left alone in a vehicle call animal control or police immediately.
3. Watch for warning signs of heatstroke: excessive panting and drooling, bright red gums, balance problems, lethargy and labored breathing. If a pet is suffering from heatstroke, wet them in a pool or with a hose and immediately call your veterinarian.
4. Schedule walks and play in the morning and evening while it's still cool. Watch for hot pavement which can burn paws.

4th of July

1. Everything from sparklers, smoke bombs and large fireworks and injure and burn pets. What's more, fireworks contain heavy metals- iron, copper, barium, mercury, phosphorus and magnesium- that can cause poisoning if ingested. Heavy metal poisoning may result in vomiting, lethargy, diarrhea, tremors, jaundice and seizures.
2. Glow sticks and necklaces are popular for celebrating the fourth. Small amounts of the toxic compound, dibutyl phthalate, lends luminescence to them. Thankfully, the fluid is very bitter and deters animals from ingesting much. It has relatively low toxicity which can cause vomiting, agitation, salivation. Decontaminate the mouth by rinsing with water and remove from fur with dishwashing detergent.
3. Fireworks noise phobia occurs in many pets. It is best to leave pets at home when attending fireworks displays. Some pets are extremely fearful of fireworks and should be allowed to remain in a basement with radio to distract. For those pets that are highly agitated and nervous, contact us about medications that can reduce their anxiety.

Lawn and Garden

1. We all enjoy summer picnic but need to be aware of foods we shouldn't share with pets. Grapes, raisins and currents can cause kidney damage in dogs. Remind kids not to share these with Fido
2. Be aware that many of our favorite garden flowers can be deadly to pets. Stargazer, Easter, Tiger, and other Asiatic lilies are highly toxic to cats. Ingestion of only a small part of the leaves or petals can cause sudden kidney failure. Keep cats away from lily plants, another good reason to keep your cat indoors. Call immediately if your cat eats even a small part of the plant.
3. Cocoa mulch is popular for landscaping gardens but unfortunately, what smells like chocolate tastes like chocolate to dogs. Cocoa mulch contains high concentrations of the toxic compounds theobromine and caffeine found in chocolate which is toxic to dogs. Symptoms include vomiting, muscle tremors, hyperactivity, rapid heart rate , seizures and death. Contact your vet immediately if you pet ingests cocoa mulch.
4. Phenoxy herbicides are commonly used on the lawn, often combined with fertilizer. Low dose exposures can cause loss of appetite, vomiting and diarrhea. Severe exposure leads to myotonia (profound muscle weakness and inability to rise).

First Exam Free For New Clients

Refer a friend to Companion Animal Hospital and their pet's initial exam is free. ($46.00 value)

Print the Free Exam Coupon for your friend or family. (New Clients Only)