Canine Capers
Quick Answers To Frequently Asked Questions
Oh no! We've been skunked!
It's almost inevitable, if your dog is outside, that sometime in their life they will meet up with a skunk.
There are products we carry at the clinic that you can keep on hand for that dreaded meeting such as Skunk Off. They have a long shelf life and are great to take camping or hunting. And the old standby tomato juice does work. But even better than tomato juice is a concoction you can make at home with just some simple ingredients.
Skunk Solution
16 oz hydrogen peroxide
1 tablespoon dish soap like Dawn
¼ cup baking soda
Mix together and bath your dog in the solution. Be careful not to get it in their eyes. It may take more than one bath to remove the smell and be patient, your dog may smell a little skunky for days to come.
Can I remove porcupine quills from my dog myself?
If your dog only has a couple of quills, you can try to remove them with needle nose pliers, but we don't recommend it. It is very painful and your dog may bite if you hurt them. If you are going to try, use gentle but firm pressure.
We highly recommend that you bring your dog to the clinic for removal. There we can sedate your dog so they are much more comfortable during the painful process of removal. If a quill breaks during removal, it can migrate to another spot and become severely infected. So treating porcupine quills as a medical problem is recommended.
What months should
my dog be on heartworm medication
before beginning each spring's dose. Severe reactions can occur in a heartworm positive dog, so testing is required. If you travel in the winter or spend the winter in a warmer climate, we recommend year around heartworm treatment.
My dog has been showing aggression? What can I do?
Dogs that show any aggression towards children or other dogs will probably bite at some point if they are put in a stressful situation. However, most aggression issues are based on fear and they can be corrected using proper training techniques.
Do not be in denial about aggression. If your dog is put in a situation they cannot handle and they bite, you could lose the dog and find yourself in a financial mess. There are a number of trainers in our area that specialize in dog aggression, dogs that are too assertive and just general misbehaving. If this is a concern in your family, please let us help you find the right trainer for your situation. Aggression is not a problem your dog will grow out of.
We recommend your dog take heartworm medication from May through November. Your dog must be tested every year
Even if your dog always wears a collar, microchipping is recommended. It is quick and painless and will give you real peace of mind. If you lose your dog, it is common practice for police, humane societies and veterinarians to scan a dog, hoping to find a microchip with the information needed to return them home. Microchipping can be done in our office with just an office visit. Call us for more information.
Should I microchip my dog?
The other thing to be cautious of on Halloween is trick or treaters. Make sure your dog is secure and away from the door. Strange visitors, especially those dressed like witches and goblins, can make your pet frightened or protective of their territory. So do everything you can do reduce the risk of someone getting bit or your dog running from the house and getting hit by a car by securing your pet away from the door. Halloween is a night of fun for adults and children, but can be frightening for your pet.
And a sad point we have to make is some cruel people have performed pranks and rituals on black cats. The local shelters refuse to allow black cats to be adopted during October due to this real fear. So if you have a black cat, make sure to keep it indoors during Halloween. And if you know of anyone abusing an animal, call Animal Control immediately.
Indoor Pests
As temperatures drop, the furry little rodents also want to come inside. If you are trying to rid your house of mice, be extra cautious of using D-Con or other poisons. Even if you put the poison in a place where your pet cannot consume the poison themselves. if they eat a mouse or rat that has consumed poison, the results can be disastrous.
We highly recommend traps or other non-poisonous options. Talk with your exterminator if you need recommendations.
Mushrooms
Another toxin to be aware of are wild mushrooms growing in your yard or where you walk your dog. Many are brightly colored and some have an odor your pet might be attracted to. It is a good idea to never let your pet eat anything they find in the woods. Some mushrooms are toxic and can cause death. So be aware of what your dog is doing during your walk.
Every year we receive many calls from frantic owners whose dog has found the Halloween candy stash. This is a case where a little forethought can be a big lifesaver. Remember to keep the candy up high and in a covered container if possible. Chocolate and candy wrappers and be toxic and sometimes even fatal to our furry friends. If your pet does find the chocolate and has consumed a number of pieces, especially dark chocolate, we recommend calling poison control for more information. The number is on our emergency page.
Trick Or Treat With Your Pets
