A Veterinarian’s Top Tips for Pet Wellness - By Dr. Ginny Bischel, DVM

Fighting Fleas

A few fleas can quickly become a full-blown infestation, which can be irritating and costly. The best way to fight a flea population is to make sure that it never occurs. Here are some tips:

• If you're using a flea preventive, use it year-round. Weather patterns are unpredictable, and flea season can start before you're ready. Under the right conditions, fleas can survive and even reproduce indoors during the winter. Don't give fleas even the smallest gap - use a flea preventive every month.

• All pets in your house should be treated for fleas. If you have more than one pet, treat them ALL for fleas. Fleas can reproduce and thrive on an untreated pet, undermining your efforts of treating your other pets.

• Be aware of pesticides. If you should choose to use a pesticide, carefully read all labels -- especially if you have small children. Strictly adhere to the recommended guidelines to minimize the risks to your pet, your family and the environment

• An ounce of prevention. The best way to deal with a flea problem is before you have one, and the best time to use flea control is before you see fleas. It takes much less effort to prevent flea populations than it does to get rid of them

Before you get ready to do your Spring-cleaning, don't forget to get your beloved pet ready as well. Make sure you're prepared for the warm weather and all that it brings with it, with these tips:

• Trim your dog's nails.
• Have your dog's hair cut.
• Start fresh: clean up all of your dog's fecal matter from the backyard.
• Get new outdoor play toys.
• Design a new walking route for you and your dog. In addition, as your dog begins to spend more time outdoors, there's a greater chance that it may come in contact with fleas and other parasites, such as heartworms, hookworms, roundworms or whipworms. Protect your dog by making sure it is on a monthly flea and heartworm control
• Protect your pet from heatstroke. Heat stroke is a fever that is induced by high environmental temperatures. Animals are at risk when exposed to hot and humid temperatures because effective evaporated cooling in cats and dogs cannot occur in these conditions. This results in the body's core temperature rising drastically to above 40 degrees. Once the body exceeds 41,5-42,5 degrees Celsius, cellular function is seriously affected and unconsciousness and even death may follow.

Situations or conditions that can lead to heat stroke:

• Pets left out doors in hot and humid weather with no shade or water .
• Exercising your pet in hot humid weather even if you have water available is putting your pet at risk.
• Leaving your pet in a closed car in direct sun or on a warm day even with cracked open windows can be deadly. Panting a normal physiological means to cool off actually saturates the air with water vapour making the air in the car warmer and consequently even more difficult for an animal to cool down.
• Young and old animals are more sensitive to high temperatures because they cannot acclimatize effectively.
• Heavy coated dogs (Husky ,German Shepherd, Chow Chow)
• Animals with medical problems. History of seizures , heart or lung disease should never be exposed to hot humid temperatures.
• Certain breeds with short snouts such as Shit tzu, Boxers, Pekinese, Bull dogs and Persian cats are particularly susceptible due to their flat faces that make breathing difficult.

Get Health Certificates and Proper ID

Take your pet for a veterinary checkup, and make sure you have a certificate stating that your pet's shots are up to date. Several states require these certificates -- especially for rabies. Also, be certain that your pet has a sturdy collar with two pieces of identification, including a number where you can be reached.

Get Hotel/Motel Accommodations in Advance

Be sure pets are welcome in the hotel or motel where you're staying. AAA Tourbooks have good listings of this information, and the American Boarding Kennel Association has a directory of kennels, which may be helpful.

Get Your Pet Used to the Car

If your pet isn't already used to the car, start by taking some short trips and gradually building up to longer and longer trips. If your pets experience carsickness, try getting them accustomed to the car when it's not running. Your veterinarian can also prescribe medicine that will help with carsickness.

Be Aware of Airline Procedures

Different airlines have different procedures for transporting pets. You need to know where to drop off and pick up your pet, and how much extra time to plan for. Be certain to find this out well in advance, especially if you're travelling internationally. Also, find out the requirements of your pet's travelling kennel and how to handle feeding.

Get Health Certificates and Identification

All airlines require health certificates for a pet to travel with them. Visit your veterinarian well in advance of a plane trip. Your veterinarian may recommend a tranquilizer for your pet when traveling. A sturdy collar with two pieces of identification is also essential. Be sure the collar has a number on it where you can be contacted.

Get Hotel/Motel Accommodations in Advance

Be sure pets are welcome in the hotel or motel where you're staying. AAA Tourbooks have good listings of this information, and the American Boarding Kennel Association has a directory of kennels, which may be helpful.