The Importance Of Paying Attention To Your Pet

I was super-busy with work. I neglected daily attention and physical checking on my wonderful German Shepherd dog. For two days, I noticed blood spots on the kitchen floor where he habitually slept. On the third day, I finally woke up and checked my dog over. He was bleeding from his penis! Distressed and feeling very guilty, I rushed him to my vet. The vet ran some tests and diagnosed an enlarged prostate that had constricted his blood vessels. Immediately, I approved surgery on his enlarged prostate, and so far, two years later, he's been fine.

He didn't whine, he didn't growl, he didn't shriek in pain to alert me to his medical problem. I have no way of knowing how much pain it caused him. 
Since that horrible and very expensive incident, I've learned. These days, every day, I check him over head to toe for any signs of a medical problem. Everyone knows that early detection and a quick trip to their doctor can catch medical problems in themselves early, and give us a much better chance of nipping a problem in the bud.

Because our pets are often stoic and silent about medical problems that are causing them pain, it's up to us to spend the time and effort to check them over each and every day to detect any cause of pain or signs of problems.

What should you daily check include?

1. Eyes: are the eyes clear and alert?

2. Fur: is it soft and silky? Is your pet grooming himself/herself thoroughly? Does you pet smell good? Failure to groom and keep its fur silky and clean is a critical sign that your pet has a medical problem. For cats, a daily or weekly gentle brushing can make all the difference. For dogs, daily brushing may be required to keep high-maintenance long-haired breeds looking their best, but even short hair dogs benefit greatly from brushing. Check with your local pet store and ask them what is the best style grooming brush for my breed?

3. Check the paws. Are they strong and healthy? Do they have cracks or fissures?

4. Check the nails. Are they short from sufficient exercise? Are they split? Split nails can be very painful. A nail clipping at your groomers can cost only $6 and take only 3 minutes. It's worth it to get their nails professionally clipped to stave off painful splits and breaks.

Springtime Pet Safety

Now that you've made it through the winter you'll be anxious to get outside with your pet and start your springtime activities. Everything from gardening to cleaning is on the list as you prepare to get out and about. Your pet will appreciate the nice weather too as he gets to spend more time outdoors. While you may enjoy welcoming this great weather don't forget about the hazards to your pet that may come with it. A little foresight and prevention can go a long way in having an enjoyable spring.

Spring has Sprung

The best part of spring is the opportunity to replant the garden and make your lawn beautiful. Do a little research before planting your flowers as some springtime plants can be harmful to your pets. Azaleas, rhododendrons and particularly Easter lilies are toxic to pets and can make them sick. Fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides that keep your plants green can also make your pets ill. If possible, find non-chemical solutions for keeping your plants and pets healthy.

Cleaning Up and Home Improvement

Another spring ritual that presents some issues is spring cleaning. Those household cleaners can be harmful to your pet, just like outdoor chemicals. Use them sparingly and store them where inquisitive pets can't get to them easily. Follow the instructions on the label to make sure you're using them correctly. Along with cleaning, home improvement is also popular during this time of year. Be mindful of staples, paints, nails and insulation that your pet can swallow or hurt themselves with.

Allergies

Just like people, pets can have allergies too. Pets that are allergic to pollen will have runny noses and will have itchy ears and noses. Skin allergies are possible if your pet gets into some deep vegetation. Itchy skin, licking at the base of the tail and paws are signs of allergies and can cause a rash. Your vet can give you recommendations on what to do if your pet needs relief.

Outdoor Pests

Your pet isn't the only one looking forward to going outside in the spring -- so are fleas and ticks. Talk to your vet about preventive measures you can take to make sure your pet isn't affected by these little creatures. Even if your pet has been treated, they may still carry fleas and ticks in to the house where they can make your life miserable. If you find a tick on your pet, remove it or have a vet take a look.

Spring Holidays

There are many celebrations that take place this time of year that present safety issues. Easter chocolates, fake grass, and decorations can cause poisoning or intestinal tract blockage if ingested. Be mindful of where you keep these items and warn those celebrating with you of the potential dangers. Many people also buy Easter pets such as chicks and baby bunnies. Have a plan of what you'll do with these animals after the celebration is over. A novelty for a one day celebration may become a hefty commitment.

Where Did You Go?

Now that you're out and about, make sure your pet can be properly identified if they decide they want to explore on their own. Lost pets need ID tags with current information on them and microchip information needs to be up to date. Keep a current photo of your pet for easy identification or in case you have to make flyers.

Springtime can be fun and exciting. With safety in mind, it can be enjoyable for everyone.