Spring Can Be Dangerous For Dogs

Spring can be dangerous for dogs
Mar 07 2007

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For many people, spring is the time for thoroughly cleaning the
house, preparing the garden and starting home renovation projects.
Michelle Sevigny, Founder of DOGSAFE Canine First Aid courses and
author of DOGSAFE: Everything Your Dog Wants You to Know in an
Emergency, has partnered with Robyn Andexser, owner of Best Paw
Forward Dog Training, to bring the one-day, DOGSAFE Canine First Aid
course to Nanaimo on March 18, 2007. Both are warning families to be
mindful of the spring season dangers for dogs and offer these spring
safety tips:

1. Keep cleaning products out of your dog’s reach and do not allow
your dog to walk on or lick surfaces that are still wet with cleaning
products. If your dog does come in contact with these surfaces, they
may experience skin irritation and some gastrointestinal problems.
Most cleaning products are safe to use around pets if they are used
as directed, including Swiffer Wet Jet and Febreeze, contrary to the
urban myth that these products caused liver and kidney damage. If you
suspect that your dog has ingested a quantity of a toxic cleaning
product, contact your veterinarian immediately for treatment
recommendations.

2. Do not dispose of old medicines in the garbage when cleaning out
the medicine chest to prevent your dog from finding and ingesting
them. Some human cold, allergy and sinus medications, especially
those containing pseudoephedrine, are extremely toxic to dogs. Pain
relievers, including acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil),
as well as various prescription drugs can be toxic to dogs. According
to Health Canada, it is best to return drugs to a pharmacy for proper
disposal.

3. Keep poisonous plants out of your home and yard to ensure your dog
does not ingest them. Common plants toxic to dogs include daffodils,
rhododendron, azaleas, tulip bulbs, oleander, yucca plants and some
vegetable garden plants such as tomato vines. Symptoms will vary
depending on the plant ingested and may include vomiting, diarrhea,
heart and nervous system problems, coma and even death.

4. Do not use slug and snail bait poisons around dogs that contain
metaldehyde which is sweet to attract slugs and also attracts dogs.
If ingested, the product will affect the dog’s nervous system
causing twitching and tremors.