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Fall/Winter Pet Care Tips
Don’t stop using your pet’s heartworm preventative or tick preventative too soon!! Heartgard & Tri-Heart treat for any exposure to the disease 30 days before the pill is consumed. There is no residual effect. They also protect against Roundworms and Hookworms which are intestinal parasites. The deer ticks have a re-emergence in the late summer, early fall. Apply Frontline until we have experienced at least 2 hard freezes, (temps below 32 degrees F), not just morning frosts.
For hunting dogs, or dogs that are in high volume tick areas: An option for optimal tick control would be to apply Advantix or Vectra the first of the month and place a Preventic Collar, then 2 weeks later apply Frontline. Keep the Preventic collar on all month. This protocol is recommended for the first onslaught of ticks in the spring and for the second emergence of deer ticks in the fall. It has proven effective and safe for the dogs in heavily infested areas.
Burrs and thorns are notorious this time of year. Check your dogs thoroughly after hunting or walking them. If you are unable to comb them out of the dog’s coat, carefully clip them out so they don’t do damage to the skin or cause pain between the pads or toes. If you observe any lacerations, punctures, or abrasions have them evaluated by a veterinarian to avoid infections.
As we get into the colder part of the fall and winter, outdoor dogs need to have appropriate shelter. They must have a place out of the wind and insulated from the freezing temperatures. The space should be large enough for the dog to stand and turn completely around, but not so large that his body heat is inadequate to keep the space warm. Fresh water must be available at all times and a heating unit should be used to keep it from freezing solid. Feed a high quality food, as your outdoor pet will burn calories much faster than in the warmer months.
Consider a fleece jacket or heavy sweater for indoor dogs with little or thin hair coats, when taking outside to eliminate. Don’t leave your little companions out all day or even for a few hours in freezing temps. When the temperatures drop below 0, consider putting protective foot coverings on the smaller dogs as they can develop frost bite with-in minutes. If sub-zero temperatures persist for several days in a row, even the larger, heavy-coated dogs can be in danger. Place them in a heated garage or a cool part of the basement until the temps get above zero again. (Your house may be too warm for the dog if they have developed a nice heavy coat for winter).
Road salt or ice melt for driveways and sidewalks can be caustic to your pet’s paws. Clean off paws with a damp rag if your pets are exposed to those chemicals. There are products on the market that are safe for animals.
