Spring is upon us and most of us will be buying plants for the garden or our window boxes and loved ones give us colorful bouquets to sit around the house.  But for those of us who are pet owners, we must keep in mind some plants and flowers are highly toxic and potentially deadly to animals.

The most common Easter flowers are lilies and several types of lilies
are highly toxic to cats. These include: Easter lily, Tiger lily, Rubrum lily, Japanese show lily, Stargazer lily, and some species of the Day lily. Unfortunately, all parts of the lily plant are considered toxic to cats and consuming even small amounts can be life threatening.

Within only a few hours of ingestion, a cat may vomit, become lethargic, or develop a lack of appetite. These signs continue and worsen as kidney damage or renal failure progresses. Without prompt and proper treatment by a veterinarian, the cat’s kidneys shut down within 36 to 72 hours; which is fatal.

Other flowers associated with spring and Easter that are also toxic to cats are Azaleas, Tulips, Chrysanthemums, Daffodils, Hydrangeas, Marigolds, Geraniums, and Hyacinths. Being a responsible pet owner means keeping our pets safe and this means removing all potential hazards from our homes (or at least keeping them out of reach). As the seasons change and holidays come and go, please remember to keep your pet’s safety in mind.

If your cat has eaten, or you suspect them of eating any part of a lily plant, and are exhibiting any of the above signs, pleas contact us immediately.

.......  Flea, Tick and Heartworm season is almost here!

Heartworms threaten nearly 50 million dogs each year with death or permanent disability.  But the heartworm is only one of several common parasites that threaten your dog’s well-being.

 Because there are few outward signs, many parasites go undetected, eventually causing damage to the heart, lungs or digestive tract.  Parasites can be passed easily between dogs and cats and are even passed occasionally to humans.  They are especially dangerous to puppies and kittens.

Experts agree ongoing parasite control is better for your pet than treating a serious parasite problem after it develops.  Now, with a single convenient monthly tablet, you can protect your dog from dangerous and most common parasites – heartworms, roundworms, whipworms and hookworms. 

Of all canine parasites, heartworms are the most life threatening.  If left untreated, they are almost always fatal.  Once concentrated in warmer climates with heavy mosquito populations, heartworms are spreading rapidly throughout the country.  Heartworms live primarily in the heart of the dog, where mature females release thousands of tiny larvae called microfilaria into the bloodstream.  Come in for your dog to be tested and learn the rest of the life cycle and how to protect your pet by one of our staff members.

Fleas and ticks pose a real health threat.  When fleas bite, they suck blood and this causes itching and irritation.  Fleas can also spread disease and cause medical problems for your pet such as flea allergy dermatitis, which is the most common allergic skin disease of dogs and cats.  They can also cause secondary skin irritations, tapeworms and cat scratch disease, which can be transmitted from cats to humans.  Severe infestations can cause anemia and even death in puppies and kittens.  Ticks are the carriers of diseases such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Erlichiosis, which affect humans as well as their pets.

The best way to protect your pet and home from fleas and ticks is to start with early prevention.  There are many products that are available to protect your pet.  Our staff members would be glad to discuss the various products and help you choose the one that is best suited for you and your pet.

Other Seasonal Advice:   Summer    |   Fall  |   Winter