Spring is finally here (hopefully to stay) in central Ohio! You’ll be switching from wiping snowy paws to muddy paws, taking more walks with your furry friends, and maybe making more frequent visits to local dog parks. What are some thoughts to be aware of as you and your pup enjoy the sunshine and longer days?

Just like their humans, dogs can easily develop seasonal allergies, even if they’ve not had them before. Luckily, again just like us, most allergy concerns can be addressed with the proper corrective medications. If your dog is licking their paws, or shaking their head, or just generally seems itchy, give us a call – we’ll be happy to help them get back on track!

Speaking of allergies – ensure your personal allergy medications are secured where your pet can’t get into them. Some brands of antihistamines can be highly toxic to our canine companions. If ingested, they can cause issues such as vomiting, lethargy, and tremors. These concerns may take some time to develop, so if you notice unusual behavior, call us or an emergency vet as soon as possible.

Is your dog on a good flea and tick preventative? With more walks, trips to dog parks, and even playtime in the backyard, exposure to these parasites is increased significantly. Fleas can cause itchiness (which results in scratching), flaking or red skin, hair loss, and hot spots – it’s even worse if your furry friend is allergic to fleas! Ticks are even worse – they can carry several different kinds of debilitating bloodborne diseases. We’ll be happy to discuss chewable tablets that are effective in prevention for either 30 days or 90 days, and we also offer a collar that is effective for 8 months. Let’s keep your friend protected!

Another nasty bug? Mosquitoes! Our biggest concern with mosquitoes, as it relates to your dog, are that they can transmit heartworm disease. It’s a lot less expensive to use a heartworm preventative than it is to heal your dog if they develop heartworm disease – ask us about monthly chewable tablets, or a six month or twelve month heartworm preventative injection.

That briefly covers the itchy part of the season – next week, we’ll share a few more thoughts on making sure you and your furry family members have a happy (and safe) spring!