Common Pet Issues/Injuries

Have you and your pooch had some bad luck when it comes to injuries/sickness and now you ALSO react when you hear the word “vet”? Or, maybe you are looking at a first-time furry friend and want to know what to avoid and watch out for? We're here to help!

PUPPY-PROOF YOUR HOME!

This may sound silly, but it's a real thing! You baby-proof a home to make sure the little ones can't get at things they shouldn't eat/drink, and dogs are the same way. Household or garage chemicals can look delicious to a thirsty dog (antifreeze is a common one, sadly) and there are other unhealthy items they can attempt to swallow. (We will be digging a bit deeper into the garden on a future blog when it comes to this topic, so keep an eye out.) Some young ones will put anything in their mouth so be very cautious about leaving anything small within their reach.

*If you think your dog has consumed something they shouldn't, consult your local vet immediately.

FROM DRINKING WHAT THEY SHOULDN'T TO NOT DRINKING ENOUGH OF WHAT THEY SHOULD!

We'll stay with the liquid theme as we mention a serious issue in this kind of weather: DEHYDRATION! (At the time of this writing... don't blame me if I jinxed it...) Heat stroke is something that needs to be watched for. Make sure your pup is drinking their water, staying in the shade, and avoiding hot concrete. If it would hurt your feet, it'd hurt theirs!

KEEP THOSE NAILS TRIMMED!

We can help you with this one, too. When trimming your dog's nails, you want to make 100% sure that you're only clipping the nail. On that note, if you don't trim them at all, they are susceptible to a break, which can cause issues. If your dog is an inside dog, it's something you really need to watch out for – dogs who run outside are more likely to wear down their nails. Either way, still good to watch them and keep them clean and trimmed.

I SPY WITH MY LITTLE EYE

Finally, we'll mention the eyes. A hair near the eye may not bother a dog too much, but if your dog is blinking a lot or tearing up, there might be a scratch or they may have a foreign object in there. This is something that is difficult to prevent (and I do cringe every time I see a dog dart in and out of some trees) but watching out for these symptoms can help you deal with something early.

That's a short list of things we came up with today. You don't need to be helicopter dog mom or dog dad, but it's good to keep some of these things in mind. Oh, and if you're carrying around food, watch where you're walking. I guarantee you your dog will be at your feet. (Based on personal experience, of course...)

Akiva’s cone couldn’t keep her from having fun at daycare!