Fall Dog Dangers
Fall is a wonderful season with cool weather that especially feels good after the heat of summer. However, fall, like all seasons, has some risks of its own for your dogs. Here is what to watch for and protect your dog against.
- Problems with less daylight — when it gets light later and dark earlier, you may be walking your dog in the dark. This makes it harder for drivers to see you on sidewalks, driveways, and when crossing the road. Keep your pet on a leash and invest in one of those doggy safety vests with the reflective tape on it so people can see your dog better.
- Dangers due to leaves — leaf blowers are loud things. They may startle your dog and send them running from the noise. It is better to keep the dog inside when such work is going on so he does not bolt from your yard and get lost. Leaf blowers, mowers, and other power equipment can leak gas or oil onto the ground and your dog may lick it up. These substances are very toxic to dogs and will entail a trip to the vet at the very least, or maybe kill the dog. Finally, leaf piles that are left on the ground for long quickly grow a variety of molds and mildews that can be toxic to the dog if he eats them.
- Dangers due to plants and mushrooms — The chrysanthemum is a fall blooming plant and is often used in bouquets, or to wear on the dress or wrist of a date. They are very toxic to your dog. Eating any of it can kill your dog if he is not given immediate veterinary care. Symptoms of ingestion are: stumbling, increased salivation, skin inflammation, and vomiting and diarrhea. Mushrooms often pop up in the fall. Most of them are non poisonous, but it is so hard to tell a poisonous mushroom from a non-poisonous one that you should immediately remove any that come up and trash them away from your dog.
- Dangers due to rodenticides — In the fall, mice and rats instinctively seek a warm shelter to spend the winter in. Unfortunately, that often means they come into our homes. In response, many people put out rat or mice poison. If it is not put out carefully, the dog can find it and eat it. Rat poison can kill a dog if ingested. The symptoms of rat poisoning are: lethargy, decreased appetite, pale gums, increased rate of breaths and having trouble breathing, bloody stools, black and tar-like stools. If these symptoms show up, it is important to take your pet to the veterinarian immediately. If possible, bring the poison container with you to the veterinarian so they know exactly what they are dealing with. Doing so may save your dog’s life.
Despite the added dangers of the season, a little vigilance and keeping your dog in the house or yard unless he is on a leash with you on the other end will help keep your dog safe.
Comments