Pomeranian Dog Health

Safety Tips Written by Mary Rosenbaum

• The Easter lily, azalea, amaryllis, and other plants that are toxic and even potentially lethal to dogs and cats like Lily-of-the-valley which can also cause heart issues in both dogs and cats.

• Chocolate is also toxic and can even be deadly for your pets, so make sure that all chocolate products are kept out of reach. Don’t leave any candy where your pets can reach it.

• Spring time is also the time of year for Foxtail and grass awns. These plants can lodge in the skin, ears, eyes and nose of unfortunate pets; some requiring surgical removal. Take care that your pet is protected and not allowed access to areas where these plants grow.

• Fertilizers, antifreeze and pesticides can be very harmful and even deadly to pets, so be sure to keep these products safely away from pets. Try to keep dogs from ingesting a lot of grass especially if there is a chance that any chemicals were applied to or have blown onto the grass. Make sure all pets are kept away from and not allowed to walk on or near fertilized yards.

• Be sure to read all product labels carefully on all flea and tick medications as the misuse of such products can lead to acute toxicity. These products can cause death if improperly applied and NEVER use a dog product on your cat, or vice versa.

• Dogs can have severe allergic reactions to insect bites. If you notice your dog becoming acutely swollen around the muzzle, or developing hives, it is best to get him/her treated by a veterinarian as soon as possible. If left untreated, the inflammatory response can cause severe illness and respiratory distress.

• Bite wounds are one of the season’s most common emergencies. Make sure your pet’s Rabies vaccination is up-to-date in case of such an encounter.

• Never leave your dog out in the sun too long. Dogs can get sunburned, just like people. Use sun cream to prevent sunburn on pink skin. Provide lots of shade for your pet, and always provide plenty of cool, clean water to prevent dehydration. Never leave your pet in a car with windows closed.

• Pets traveling in pickup trucks should ride in the cab or in a secured crate in the bed of the truck, not in the truck’s open bed. If your dog rides in the back of the truck and you stop suddenly, swerve, or are hit by another car, the pet could easily be thrown from the truck and in the path of traffic. There is always the possibility that if a pet sees another animal he/she is likely to jump out and chase which could put them in front of oncoming traffic. This can also be a problem if a window is left too far down allowing your pet to escape.

• Maintain a moderate temperature in your house and leave cool water for your pets; another trick is to leave ice cubes in the water bowl.

• Avoid leaving windows and doors open; a determined dog can easily tear through a screen. If you do leave windows open for ventilation, have strong screens in place to prevent escapes and falls.

• Keep pets away from mouse, ant, and roach bait or traps.

• Medications for people, prescription and non prescription drugs can be lethal to small dogs. Medications should be kept in a locked cabinet or at least at a level that is too high for them to reach.

• Be aware of hidden household hazards, Power cords being one of them. They can cause electrical burns, strangulation and electric shock hazard by puppies that like to chew on them.