This week marks the National Animal Poison Prevention Week.  It comes at a great time in Springfield and the surrounding communities as the weather is warming up and we prepare for the summer months.  Herbicides, pesticides, fertilizers, and OTC parasite medications are being used more often right now than over the winter.  Please read on for some tips adapted from the American Animal Hospital Association on how to poison-proof your home.

"Your home may not seem like an accident waiting to happen, but to a curious dog, dangers can be lurking around every corner. The 10 tips below are provided to alert you to common household dangers to pets, and how to avoid them.

• Keep all medications in closed cabinets out of your dog’s reach. Even over-the-counter medications can be harmful–one regular-strength ibuprofen can cause stomach ulcers in a small dog, and several pills can cause kidney or liver failure. Common medications such as anti-depressants, diet pills, pain killers, and cold medicines could be potentially fatal if ingested. Never medicate your pet without your veterinarian’s approval.
• Houseplants should be kept up high, or in rooms where your pets are not allowed – many can be toxic to dogs. Do some research on the types of plants you have, even in your yard, that may be toxic, and take steps to prevent your dog from eating them. Azaleas, oleanders, mistletoe, Easter lilies, and certain types of palms can be fatal if ingested.
• Keep dogs away from cleaning supplies and assume all are poisons. Some might simply cause an upset stomach, but others can be fatal or cause severe burns of the tongue, mouth areas, esophagus and stomach.
• Keep all insecticides and pest control products, such as baited rat, ant, snail or roach traps, away from your dog. Whenever possible, avoid using these poisons, as dogs can eat a poisoned animal or insect, even if the trap is not placed in your dog’s typical whereabouts.
• Chocolate and most leftovers are a big no-no for dogs! One-half ounce or less of baking chocolate per pound of body weight can be toxic, and even small amounts can cause pancreatic problems. Meat scraps that contain cooked fat can also cause pancreatitis. If you give your dog cooked meat, boil it and trim off all the fat. Never give meat products such as country ham to your dog.
• Be aware of dangers in the garage and carport and keep auto products stored in areas away from pets. Antifreeze is a particular danger, as pets are allured by its sweet taste, but less than one tablespoon can be fatal for small dogs.
• Keep your dog off the grass when you are treating the yard with any insecticide, herbicide or fertilizer. Make sure the grass and scrubs are completely dry before your dog is allowed back into the area and do not use these products until you have talked with the manufacturer or your veterinarian about their safety in pet areas. Always store them in an area out of your dog’s reach.
• Here is a list of many common items that may be dangerous to pets: batteries, cigarettes, coffee grounds, alcoholic drinks, mothballs, pennies (contain high levels of zinc), potpourri products, fabric softener sheets, automatic dishwasher detergents (cationic detergent ingredients can cause corrosive lesions), and packaged warmers such as hand or foot warmers, which can contain large quantities of iron.
• Get your veterinarian’s approval for any flea and tick products before using them. If using a household fogger or house spray, follow instructions carefully, and remove your dog out from the house, allotting the proper amount of time before returning. If you have any uncertainty about a product’s safety for your particular dog, call the manufacturer or your veterinarian before use.
• Secure a national pet poison control hotline number from your vet, and post it on your refrigerator. This number can be invaluable if your pet ingests something after-hours. And don’t forget: Prevention is always the best cure."

 
Our mission at West Lake is to provide high quality, compassionate veterinary care with a personal touch.  We strive to maintain a friendly and comfortable environment for pets and owners and are committed to building strong, respectful, and honest relationships with our clients.  Through teamwork, we are dedicated to ensuring the best care possible and treating pets as if they were our own.  Call us today at 217-529-4499, to discuss specifics about pet hazards in your home and how to keep your furry friends safe!

Many cats start having litters of kittens this time of year, and we start seeing them for their first kitten wellness exams at the clinic.  We love this time of year, because who doesn’t like to snuggle and play with cute, energetic balls of fur?!  Hearing the names that are picked out is always fun for me; there is usually a good story behind each pet’s name.

At West Lake, we recommend bringing your kitten in for its first visit around 8 weeks of age.  Each visit varies slightly depending on the kitten’s history and the plan for their future.  Typically we recommend a Feline Leukemia/Feline AIDS test to rule out disease that can’t be seen on the physical exam.  We also recommend doing a parasite test to check for intestinal worms and coccidia, which are treatable once detected.  If the kitten is in overall good health, we will usually perform the first set of vaccinations at this visit as well.  Kittens will return to the clinic about once a month until they have their full series of vaccinations finished around 16 weeks of age.  In Sangamon County, all cats are required to have a current rabies vaccination. 

​It is a good idea in Springfield and Rochester to keep your kitten on flea and heartworm prevention year round.  We have fairly mild winters in Illinois, and we actually see pets with fleas even throughout the winter.  Fleas can make kittens very sick by causing anemia.  Heartworm disease is not as prevalent in cats as it is in dogs, but it does happen so preventing it is ideal. 

It is important to have your kitten spayed or neutered for several reasons.  First of all, it is a necessary procedure to help control pet over-population and keep unwanted dogs and cats out of shelters.  Secondly, it has positive medical benefits for your kitten such as decreasing certain cancer risks, reducing territorial behaviors (marking and roaming), and eliminates the risk of uterine infections.  At West Lake, we typically recommend having the procedure performed around 6 months of age. 

West Lake Animal Hospital’s mission is to provide high quality, compassionate veterinary care with a personal touch.  We strive to maintain a friendly and comfortable environment for pets and owners and are committed to building strong, respectful, and honest relationships with our clients.  Through teamwork, we are dedicated to ensuring the best care possible and treating pets as if they were our own.