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Spring brings new threats to your pet’s safety

As winter ends and spring starts, so do different types of threats to your dog. Obviously, as the weather starts getting nicer, your pet spends more time outdoors and is more susceptible to the these threats.

It is important to be alert for ticks, mosquitoes and micro organisms that spread diseases that are harmful to your dog’s health. Ticks normally live in wooded areas or in tall brush and do not transmit bacteria through the air, but by biting the dog.

4 serious threats that Spring brings to your dog’s health are summarized below:

Lyme Disease and other diseases

Lyme disease- is a tick-borne bacterial disease and it can cause lameness, kidney damage and death.

Leptospirosis– this is the #1 cause of acute renal failure, “lepto” is a deadly bacterial disease that is spread by contact with urine from other pets, wildlife and livestock and can be transmitted from dogs to people.

Rabies- is a fatal viral disease transmitted by saliva most often through bite wounds and is a threat to both humans and animals.

Heartworm Disease- is a mosquito-borne disease that is preventable and attacks multiple organs and will cause death if untreated.

Pet Safety

As a dog owner, there are many things you can do to minimize the risk to your pet. Brush your dog often and visually inspect your animal especially after an outing in the woods. Additionally, use tick and flea treatments and medications that your veterinarian recommends to kill these harmful pests. Furthermore, your veterinarian can suggest how to protect your pet from lyme disease through vaccination.

There is another important factor in taking care of your dog: twice-a-year wellness exams. You see, dogs age faster than we do and major health changes can occur in a short amount of time. Moreover, your dog is living longer, which increases the chance of potentially serious illnesses during their lifetime.

These wellness exams can help your veterinarian diagnose, treat or prevent problems before they become life threatening. Additionally, these exams allow the veterinarian to discuss nutrition, your dog’s behavior or other concerns you may have.

Owning a dog is one of the most rewarding experiences a person can have in their lifetime, but having a dog is much more than the occasional walk around the block or playing fetch in the yard. There are many other responsibilities that one must consider in order to be a good dog owner. Your dog’s health is a major concern to any good pet owner and in this article we have highlighted preventable threats to your pet. We certainly hope you will pay particular attention to these details in caring for your pet.

bulldog flower petalIn return for all this attention, your dog will reciprocate with unconditional love, friendship and affection. Try to educate yourself, to protect your dog from these and other harmful threats. If we were to think in terms of finances, what a wonderful return on your investment!

Wagging Tails Mobile Grooming Service is happy to provide full flea baths and administration of flea prevention treatments.  And while pet sitting, routinely, Wagging Tails Pet Sitters inspect each pet they are visiting for fleas and ticks. They alert owners to any critters they may find, and properly remove ticks from the pet. Wagging Tails Pet Sitters also keep a close eye on your pet’s feces, for signs of any worms or eggs, and always communicate to pet owners any unusual or suspicious signs.  Your pet’s health and well being is of the utmost importance to us!  www.waggingtails.com  (860) 621-7387 (pets) Caring for CT’s pets for 20 years. Service Area.