How to keep your pet safe this summer!

Veterinary emergency care specialist Justine Lee, DVM, DACVECC, tells how to pet-proof all your outdoor spaces. This summer, the biggest dangers to your pet’s health may be in your own backyard. Here are the top three problem areas to watch:

In the garden

• Azaleas are common backyard shrubs that can be toxic for dogs and cats if ingested, resulting in severe drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, heart arrhythmias, or an abnormal heart rate.
• Japanese yew, with their tempting, juicy red berries and evergreen needles, can cause vomiting, diarrhea, severe heart arrhythmias, and coma in all pets and be fatal if even a small amount is eaten. Shrub clippings from any of these plants should be promptly swept up and removed.
• Backyard lilies (like a day lily, Asiatic, Easter, or Stargazer lily) and their pollen can cause acute kidney failure in cats. Ingestion of as little as 2-3 leaves can be fatal, so remove these plants from your yard if you let your cat outside.

In the garage

• Rose and garden plant food can contain potentially fatal compounds called organophosphates or carbamates. If your dog tries to eat a bag of it (or soil that’s been treated with it), he could suffer severe drooling and urination, diarrhea, profuse vomiting, shock, and even death when left untreated.
• Fireworks are dangerous enough once lit, but they’re also a threat to curious dogs that might try to eat them beforehand. Made with chemicals like potassium nitrate, and parts (like a fuse) that could get stuck in the stomach, fireworks can cause vomiting, abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, seizures, and shallow breathing. Keep your Fourth of July supply out of reach, and clear your yard of debris after you set off your display.

On the patio

• Barbecue scraps and fatty leftovers can give your pup severe pancreatitis, causing vomiting, diarrhea, severe abdominal pain, and even death.
• Charcoal briquettes, which dogs seem to love to lap up or steal from the grill, can easily get stuck in the stomach, causing vomiting and requiring surgery.
• Corn-on-the cob and peach pits are also a huge no-no because they can lodge in a dog’s intestines.

First AidAs soon as you realize your pet has ingested something toxic, do not try to administer home remedies, but contact your vet or an animal poison control. In some cases, you may be able to induce vomiting with professional guidance—but many times, a trip to the doctor will be necessary for a full checkup, IV fluids, and even surgery.

Justine says…
Keep Pets Safe!
If you notice your has pet ingested something poisonous, call an animal poison control or your veterinarian immediately for life-saving care!

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