Pet Talk

by Cathy Davis
    Don’t you just love spring? Going outdoors, digging in the garden, taking walks, all the wonderful smells in the air from flowers to new growth on the trees,  it’s just magic. We won’t talk about the black fly bites and the spiders and the creepy crawlies, well, wait a minute, maybe we should.
    Maybe we should remind everybody that your pets need protection in the spring and summer. Mosquitoes carry West Nile Virus and heartworm, ticks carry Lyme disease, fleas suck the life out of your pet and make him, and you, miserable.
    There are multiple products that you can purchase over the counter to protect your pet. Personally, I would recommend you consult with your veterinarian before buying any over the counter product. Your pet might have a health issue, there may be some products that are better for younger animals or older animals, some that might have some ingredients that a vet might not recommend, so the very best thing you can do is make sure you get a professional opinion before you “self-treat” your animals.
    It might not hurt them to place this flea collar or that spray on Fluffy’s back, but you might be wasting your money. Some of these things just don’t work.
    There are some medications that will kill fleas within hours, but they only kill that one time and the next flea that jumps on for a ride is free and clear. There are some meds that last a month.
    My point is this, without belaboring the issue, the season is upon us and if you want your little Rover to be comfortable, then do the right thing, schedule him for an appointment, get him the appropriate treatment, and keep him on it for the recommended period of time.
    The other thing to remember is that Rover is right full of energy, he wants to run, sniff, chase things. Please keep him under control. If he doesn’t stay in your yard then put him in a fence or on a run and don’t let him stay outdoors all day long in the hot sun without protection, water, and food.
    When it’s early in the morning and as it starts to get dark, beware of the lurking skunk. And the smartest thing you can do is keep a skunk kit handy, “just in case.” You don’t want to be trying to run into Walmart at 8:59 p.m. smelling like a skunk, trying to buy something, anything, to take away the smell.
    The best formula for skunk smell removal is 1 quart of 3 percent Hydrogen Peroxide,1/4 cup baking soda, 1 teaspoon liquid soap (preferably Dawn). Mix in an open container (bucket or bowl); it will be fizzy, a clue that you shouldn’t try to mix it or store it in a bottle or other closed container. Thoroughly wet your dog with warm water and then the solution while it is still bubbling. Knead it well into his coat. Be careful to keep the formula out if the dog’s eyes, nose and mouth; you can use a sponge to carefully wipe it onto his face. Let the solution stand for 10 minutes before rinsing. Follow the bath with a thorough rinse. Be sure to protect the eyes when rinsing the head. Chances are you will not get all of the smell off of the face and will have to live with that as it wears off.
    And the last thing to remember is this, and I constantly wonder why we have to remind people, because it’s such common sense – do not leave your dog in a car when it’s hot. It takes only minutes for the heat to build up and a beloved pet to die. 
    Oh, and one more thing (sorry), do you know how many dogs lose their eyes because they’re hanging their heads out the windows of cars going 70 mph down the highway? I know, I know, he “loves it”. I tell my Scruffy, his safety is more important than a little air sniffing. He can sniff all the air he wants when we get out of the car. While in the car, his nose should also be in the car. Would you let your child hang his head out of the car window going down the highway at 70 miles an hour? Seriously? Would you?
    Enjoy the weather, keep your pet safe, and thank you for caring for the animals!