Because I work around veterinarians each day, I knew the onset of his second seizure within just a few minutes of the first required emergency medical attention. I threw on shoes and a jacket, grabbed his medical records and drove to DoveLewis. This being my first experience in an animal emergency hospital, combined with Emerson’s worst seizure activity to date, I was terrified. I know multiple seizures in a short period of time can be life-threatening.

When I arrived at DoveLewis, Emerson was immediately seen by a compassionate veterinarian, who told me that even though Emerson is on anti-seizure medication, seizure “clustering” can still happen on occasion, and for no apparent reason. Emerson was then hooked up intravenously to medication that would help break the cycle of seizures, followed by a two-night stay in the hospital for monitoring.

I can’t adequately explain what it felt like to say goodbye to my little pup and leave to go home that night. The two days following were emotional. I missed my buddy, although I knew he was in good hands. A veterinarian from DoveLewis called me every morning with an update on his status. On Sunday, I was able to go pick him up. I’m happy to report that he is stable and back to his normal self. I followed up with an appointment with my Banfield veterinarian, who conducted a neurological exam and completed blood work. As his owner, the best thing I can do about his condition is to manage his symptoms with medication and ensure that he lives a healthy lifestyle and regular preventive care. I am grateful to Banfield and DoveLewis for taking such good care of him when he needed it.

Having a dog with epilepsy is always a difficult, stressful situation. Nevertheless, had I known Emerson would eventually develop this condition, I still would have chosen him when I adopted him from the Oregon Humane Society. I know most people think their Pets are special and unique, and I am no exception. Emerson has brought such immense joy, laughter and comfort to my life. I feel so blessed to be able to provide him with a loving home.

Probably the number one danger for most Pets is the heat. Almost everyone has heard how dangerous it can be to leave your Pet in a car. However, many of us don’t understand how quickly heat stroke can happen, and also don’t believe it will ever happen to us. Just a few minutes can be deadly to a Pet left in a car. The breeds most at risk are those with a short snout, such as Boston Terriers or Pugs. However, any breed can succumb to the heat so avoid all danger by refraining from leaving Fido in a parked car.

Another heat danger comes from jogging or running on hot pavement. We all know how much we enjoy our daily exercise routine with our Pets. In fact, they enjoy it so much that they will run on blisters, and even on burst blisters, appearing to ignore the pain they are in until the fun is over. Though blistering and other paw injuries can occur at any time of the year, they are certainly most common when the surface being run on is scorching. Therefore, pick a cooler time of the day or change your routine.

Paws are more prone to other injuries in the summer, especially in breeds with long paw fur, such as Cocker Spaniels. Grass seeds appear to be specially designed to get caught in long fur and then to burrow deeper, eventually burrowing into the skin, causing abscesses, draining wounds and severe pain. Make sure to check your Pet’s fur thoroughly anytime you come in from a long grassy area; you can check for ticks at this time too – another danger encountered more frequently in the summer.

Increased outdoor activity brings other dangers too, in the guise of barbecues. Certainly the smell of cooking must drive our furry friends insane at this time of year. However, with this olfactory nirvana, Pets are more prone to getting burned by trying to jump up at the barbecue. Furthermore, Pets have learned that hanging around the barbecue long enough will result in a tasty tidbit. However, the tidbit, no matter how tasty, can also cause dietary upsets, at the least some simple vomiting and diarrhea, at the most a condition known as pancreatitis, which can be potentially life threatening, especially if it goes untreated. So, refrain from letting your friend indulge and if a tummy upset does rear its ugly head, make sure to get to the veterinarian to ensure something more serious isn’t happening.

If the heat is dangerous, well so can the attempt to be cool. Pools and rivers are a big temptation, both as a cooling mechanism and to provide a sought after drink. However, there are dangers that our Pets, and often we, don’t take into account. Rivers and pools are a frequent cause of drowning, especially when an already exhausted dog takes the plunge only to find that the current is too strong, or there isn’t any way to easily exit a pool. Drinking from rivers can be a source of giardia, a parasite that causes a nasty diarrhea and requires veterinary treatment. Drinking from pools can be dangerous too, especially given the chemicals used to keep our pools clean. So make sure you know what is being used to keep your pool in good shape and don’t let your Pet drink from anything that might be a danger.

Summer is a time to enjoy and there certainly isn’t any reason why your furry friend shouldn’t partake in the festivities. Therefore, be sure to avoid any summer blues with a little planning and some small changes to your routine.

Emerson and I relish any opportunity to get out of the house for some fresh air. He enjoys his daily walks, but the Fourth of July holiday gives us the opportunity for extra time together, which usually means we take a small road trip.  Because I live within driving distance of the beach, and Emerson loves running around and playing “fetch” in the sand, my Fourth of July weekend plans entailed frolicking at the Pacific Ocean with him.

However, the downside to Fourth of July is the fireworks. There were plenty of kids playing with fireworks at the beach, which happens to be one of Emerson’s least favorite seaside activities. Emerson can get quite anxious, especially when it comes to loud noises.

From past years, I learned that the best solution is to keep him on an isolated part of the beach and away from the noisy firework festivities of any kind. This way, Emerson and kids can both enjoy the holiday. Anxious Pets can exhibit severe distress, leading up to destructive behavior. Sometimes, your anxious Pet will be happiest in the comfort of your own home. Banfield recommends making your home as comfortable as possible for your Pets during any potentially stressful time, such as the Fourth of July. Leaving on the TV a little louder than usual, playing the radio in each of the bedrooms and leaving on extra lights tends to mask many of the unfamiliar noises that startle Pets. In addition, your Pet may find comfort being kenneled while you are gone—it’s a safe zone for many Pets and they will rest easier knowing they are in familiar territory. 

Although veterinarians will generally recommend keeping Pets at home during Fourth of July and Emerson has more than his fair share of anxiety, I always find he is most content and comfortable wherever I am. My presence and the distraction of play enable him to ignore the loud noises and bright lights coming from fireworks. You will know what’s best for you and your Pet, and you can always go to your veterinarian for behavioral advice. I think that’s why Emerson was brave enough to endure pesky firework noises at the beach this past weekend. Apparently playing fetch with mom far outweighs the scary things in life!

Salmonella can cause infections in Pets, children, frail or elderly people as well as others with weakened immune systems. Pets with Salmonella infection may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Some Pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Pets can be carriers with no visible symptoms and can potentially infect other Pets or humans. Salmonella infection can be shed in the feces and may pose a zoonotic risk to associates and Pet owners. Proper hygiene should be practiced when handling fecal samples or ill Pets.

If you suspect your Pet has a Salmonella infection, please visit your veterinarian as soon as possible.

You can contact Procter & Gamble for information on refunds at 1-877-340-8826, Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. EDT. Product purchased at PetSmart can also be returned to them directly.

Flea control is actually a lot more complex that a lot of us would like to think. As you know there are a huge range of flea “control” products out there. So many choices, in fact, that sometimes it becomes overwhelming. The challenge is that there isn’t a single product out there that is perfect – if you define perfect as “kills 100% of fleas on my Pet, in the environment, is very safe for my Pet and is cheap”. So let’s try to tackle each of these things a little at a time.

Kills 100% of fleas on my Pet – there isn’t any product that kills 100% of fleas, no matter what ads may tell you. That is why flea control isn’t something you do one month and can then forget for the rest of the year. Flea control is a constant, or almost constant, battle depending on which region of the country in which you happen to live. Fleas are remarkably resistant little critters and, as such, they survive in a multitude of environments, and can withstand changes in temperature and moisture. The best information for when you should be using protection comes from your veterinarian. Taking their advice will ensure that you keep fleas to such a low level that you never see them on your Pet.

Kills 100% of fleas in the environment – topical flea control products are mostly designed to keep fleas off your Pet and, as such have little environmental control per se. FirstShield®, for example, does include an insect growth regulator which drops into the environment thus actually helping to control fleas there too. This means that it will be more effective at keeping your Pet flea-free than products that don’t have this feature.

Pet safety – one of my biggest concerns with the recent changes is safety. Certain flea control products should never be used on cats and should be used very cautiously on small dogs. Permethrin, for example, one of the commonly used active ingredients, is highly toxic to certain Pets. Especially where safety is concerned, you really need to make sure you read the labels carefully, follow instructions to the tee, and, ideally, consult with a veterinarian to get the most up to date advice.

Cost – where cost is concerned, the old adage certainly applies: “you get what you pay for”. Unfortunately, things that work just cost more money. However, I for one, would rather pay for the product that actually keeps fleas at bay, rather than skimp and have to run through the gamut of products trying to find the effective one, and actually end up spending more in the process.

Bottom line, my biggest concern is this: skin problems, including fleas, are complex and require veterinary involvement. By making well-known products available over the counter, we unfortunately opened ourselves up to decreasing the meaningful conversations that clients and veterinarians have regarding the best medical decisions for Pets, as well as increased the probability that Pets might be harmed by products meant to protect them. So please, keep your veterinarian in the loop and continue having those conversations that allow you to make the best decision for you and you furry friends.

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Pet Poison Helpline, an animal poison control based out of Minneapolis, looked into the EPA’s investigation of spot-on flea/tick preventive products. After compiling, reviewing and analyzing much of the data provided to the EPA, Pet Poison Helpline experts concur with the EPA’s assessment that when used correctly, the incidence of severe fatal effects resulting from the application of flea and tick products is extremely low as compared to the number of applications that Pet owners apply each year. And when serious events occur, it is commonly a result of misuse. For example, when dog products are applied to cats or when owners misread, misuse or miscalculate the dose or product that is appropriate for their Pet.

“Data can [portray] a disproportionate view of the issue, since the majority of reported incidents represent minor or non life-threatening events,” said Dr. Rick Kingston, president of regulatory and scientific affairs for SafetyCall International and Pet Poison Helpline. “Owners may think that serious adverse reactions are common and expected, but fortunately, the data does not show that animals are being seriously injured when flea and tick products are being applied properly.”

However, Pet Poison Helpline does think there are a few things you should keep in mind. For instance, treatment with a fast-acting topical flea and tick medication on a Pet can cause itching or brief irritation at the application site as the product does its job and kills pests, possibly causing the Pet to fidget or scratch.

In addition, for some flea and tick products, a small proportion of treated animals may also develop a side effect called paresthesia – a tingling sensation at the application site. Fortunately, in the majority of cases it is a mild and self-limiting effect, but it does account for a large number of the reported incidents, and small breed dogs are commonly involved. Still, the occurrence of any adverse effect for any treated animal with a Spot-On product remains low across the board. Adverse reactions in dogs and cats resulting from misapplication can include skin effects such as irritation or redness; gastrointestinal problems such as vomiting or diarrhea; or more serious effects to the nervous system such as trembling, appearing depressed or seizures.

Lynn Hovda, DVM, DACVIM, director of veterinary services for Pet Poison Helpline, recommends the following tips when applying spot-on treatments:

• Read and follow the directions on the product.
• Know the exact size and weight of your animal and use the correct dose amount. Don’t guess.
• Use a product for the animal in which the product was intended, i.e., do not use a dog product on a cat.
• Consult a veterinarian before using flea and tick products on weak, aged, sick, pregnant or nursing pets.

Always monitor your Pet for signs of adverse reactions, especially when using products for the first time. When in doubt, consult a veterinarian, the manufacturer (most offer emergency medical information numbers on the label), or call the Pet Poison Helpline for treatment recommendations and general assistance.

If you suspect your Pet has been poisoned, it is best to immediately take your Pet to your Banfield veterinarian or an emergency veterinarian. In the event that you are unable to do that, you can contact Pet Poison Helpline at 1-800-213-6680 for initial information about the potential toxin your Pet may have been exposed to. Pet Poison Helpline is a service available 24 hours, seven days a week for Pet owners, veterinarians and veterinary technicians. Staff can provide treatment advice for poisoning cases of all species, including dogs, cats, birds, small mammals, large animals and exotic species. As the most cost-effective option for animal poison control care, Pet Poison Helpline’s fee of $35 per incident includes follow-up consultation for the duration of the poison case. You can also find additional information on poisonings at http://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/.

According to the Pet Poison Helpline, Banfield’s partner in diagnosing and treating poison cases, nearly half the calls from the hotline deal with Pets ingesting human medications. Even with a Pet owner’s best intention, accidents can still happen. Below are tips from Dr. Justine Lee and Dr. Ahna Brutlag (from the Pet Poison Hotline) on how to best prevent these accidents from happening.

Always keep medications safely out of reach ad never administer a medication to a Pet without first consulting your veterinarian. Use the following tips to prevent Pets from getting into over-the-counter or prescription medication:

• Never leave loose pills in a plastic Ziploc© bag the bags are too easy to chew into. Make sure visiting house guests do the same, keeping their medications high up or out of reach.
• If you place your medications in a weekly pill container, make sure to store the container in a cabinet out of reach of your Pets. Unfortunately, some Pets might consider the pill container a plastic chew toy.
• Never store your medications near your Pet’s medications. Pet Poison Helpline frequently receives calls from concerned Pet owners who inadvertently give their own medication to their Pet.
• Hang your purse up. Inquisitive Pets will explore the contents of your bag and simply placing your purse up and out of reach can help to avoid exposure to any potentially dangerous medication(s).

It is also important to note that while a medication may be safe for children, it may not be safe for animals. Pets metabolize medications very differently from people. Even seemingly benign over-the-counter or herbal medications can cause serious poisoning in Pets.

If you suspect your Pet has been poisoned, it is best to immediately take your Pet to your Banfield veterinarian or an emergency veterinarian. In the event that you are unable to do that, you can contact Pet Poison Helpline at 1-800-213-6680 for initial information about the potential toxin your Pet may have been exposed to. Pet Poison Helpline is a service available 24 hours, seven days a week for Pet owners, veterinarians and veterinary technicians. Staff can provide treatment advice for poisoning cases of all species, including dogs, cats, birds, small mammals, large animals and exotic species. As the most cost-effective option for animal poison control care, Pet Poison Helpline’s fee of $35 per incident includes follow-up consultation for the duration of the poison case. You can also find additional information on poisonings at www.petpoisonhelpline.com.

Pet Poison Helpline

According to Pet Poison Helpline, Banfield’s partner in diagnosing and treating poison cases, nearly half the calls from this 24/7 animal poison hotline deal with Pets ingesting human medications. Even with a Pet owner’s best intention, accidents can still happen. Below is a list of the top 10 human medications most frequently ingested by Pets as reported by Dr. Justine Lee at Pet Poison Helpline. Stay tuned to see tips on how Pet-proof your house.

1. NSAIDs (e.g. Advil, Aleve and Motrin): These medications are known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), and can sometimes be called ibuprofen or naproxen. Even one or two pills can cause serious harm to a Pet, resulting in serious stomach and intestinal ulcers or even kidney failure.
2. Acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol): This drug is especially dangerous to cats because one regular strength tablet can be fatal — it damages to a cat’s red blood cells, limiting their ability to carry oxygen. In dogs, acetaminophen leads to liver failure and, in large doses, red blood cell damage.
3. Antidepressants (e.g. Effexor, Cymbalta, Prozac, Lexapro): While these drugs are occasionally used in Pets, overdoses can lead to serious neurological problems. Some antidepressants also act as stimulants and can lead to a dangerously elevated heart rate, blood pressure and body temperature. Just one pill can cause serious poisoning.
4. ADD/ADHD Medications (e.g. Concerta, Adderall, Ritalin): Medications used to treat Attention Deficit Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder contain potent stimulants such as amphetamines and methylphenidate. Even minimal ingestions by Pets can cause life-threatening tremors, seizures, elevated body temperatures and heart problems.
5. Benzodiazepines and Sleep Aids (e.g. Xanax, Klonopin, Ambien, Lunestra): While these medications are designed to reduce anxiety and help people sleep better, about half of dogs can become agitated from it. For Pets who don’t become agitated, they can suffer severe lethargy, incoordination and slowed breathing. Cats can also suffer from liver failure with some forms of benzodiazepines.
6. Birth Control (e.g. estrogen, estradiol, progesterone): Thankfully, small ingestions of these medications typically do not cause problems. However, large ingestions of estrogen and estradiol can cause bone marrow suppression, particularly in birds. Also, female Pets that have not been spayed are at an increased risk of side effects from estrogen poisoning.
7. ACE Inhibitors (e.g. Zestril, Altace): Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are occasionally used in Pets to treat high blood pressure. Though overdoses can cause low blood pressure, dizziness and weakness, this category of medication is typically quite safe. Pets ingesting small amounts of ACE inhibitors can potentially be monitored at home, unless they have kidney failure or heart disease.
8. Beta-Blockers (e.g. Tenormin, Toprol, Coreg): Beta-blockers are also used to treat high blood pressure, but small ingestions may cause serious poisoning in Pets. Overdoses can cause life-threatening decreases in blood pressure and a very slow heart rate.
9. Thyroid Hormones (e.g. Armour desiccated thyroid, Synthroid): If dogs accidentally get into thyroid hormones, they rarely have problems as dog doses tend to be higher than human doses of the same drugs. However, large acute overdoses in cats and dogs can cause muscle tremors, nervousness, panting a rapid heart rate and aggression.
10. Cholesterol Lowering Agents (e.g. Lipitor, Zocor, Crestor): These medications are often called “statins” and most ingestions of these drugs only cause mild vomiting or diarrhea. Serious side effects come from long-term use, not one-time ingestions.

If you suspect your Pet has been poisoned, it is best to immediately take your Pet to your Banfield veterinarian or an emergency veterinarian. In the event that you are unable to do that, you can contact Pet Poison Helpline at 1-800-213-6680 for initial information about the potential toxin your Pet may have been exposed to. Pet Poison Helpline is a service available 24 hours, seven days a week for Pet owners, veterinarians and veterinary technicians. Staff can provide treatment advice for poisoning cases of all species, including dogs, cats, birds, small mammals, large animals and exotic species. As the most cost-effective option for animal poison control care, Pet Poison Helpline’s fee of $35 per incident includes follow-up consultation for the duration of the poison case. You can also find additional information on poisonings at www.petpoisonhelpline.com.

One resolution I have this year in our household is to be more environmentally conscious, and our Pets play a major part in “going green.” We are focusing on moving away from toys made with plastic. For instance, we bought feather toys for our cats, which are both natural and allow for our cats to expel some of their hunter energy.

For all our Pets, we switched from plastic bowls to metal. Not only are metal bowls more environmentally friendly, they last longer and take better to being cleaned and sterilized in the dishwasher. We also plan to use pine or other biodegradable litter instead of clay litter, and washable Pet beds to save from dry cleaning costs and chemicals. Storing nylon harnesses where dogs can’t get them is a way to increase their product life and we’ll buy products in bulk when possible to avoid wasteful packaging.

Holiday plants are a particularly relevant part of our New Year’s resolution. We will be avoiding having too many in the house. Not only are they wasteful because of their short shelf life, but they are also poisonous to Pets. And I do have some adventurous Pets who try to eat things they shouldn’t.

Other Green New Year’s Resolution Tips

Planet Green has some great additional tips on how to include your Pets in an environmentally conscious New Year’s resolution. Two main points that I drew from are:

1. If you are looking for a new Pet, consider going to a shelter. When it comes to Pets, “recycling a Pet” in lieu of going to a breeder can be one of the most environmentally friendly things you can do. Millions of Pets enter shelters every year so chances are you will find a great match, and you would be helping to alleviate the overpopulation problem in shelters and provide a homeless Pet a good home.
2. Look for natural, organic or sustainable Pet products. Not only are these good for the environment, but these products are generally better for your Pets as well. For instance, getting toys with natural fibers will prevent your Pet from ingesting plastics or other harmful substances, and feeding natural or organic treats will keep your Pet’s diet away from reconstituted animal by-products.

Good Pet care and adopting a more environmental lifestyle can go hand in hand, and they can become cornerstones to keeping our Pets healthy for a long time. Check with your local veterinary hospital if you have healthcare, behavior, nutrition or other questions about your Pets during this winter season.