What Comes to Mind When You Think of Spring and Animal Care?
Spring has SPRUNG! Ah, longer days, greener grass, warmer nights, blooming flowers . . . itchy dogs, pregnant cats, bite wounds and bee stings. Yikes!
Spring is in the eye of the beholder. When you work with animals, you can’t help but let your brain wander to the latter part of that list. With each season comes unique concerns for our animal friends. Spring is no exception. Consider these pet care tips and precautions while spring begins:
Fleas & ticks!
- Annoying enough by themselves, fleas and ticks can also carry or cause serious conditions like intestinal parasites, skin infections, bacterial infections like Lyme disease, and blood parasites.
- Although we are not generally the preferred meal, fleas and ticks are not above chewing on humans if they are hungry enough.
- Fleas and ticks enjoy a big population surge in the spring, both are likely to hang out on our pets and both are gross.
- Fortunately, both are also fairly easy, safe and affordable to prevent and treat with the right animal care.
- Talk to your veterinary clinic before using any flea or tick product.
Allergies!
- Pets, like people, suffer from allergies.
- Watch for itchy feet, faces, bellies, ears and rear ends.
- Common pet allergies include all the same things common human allergies include like pollen, grasses, trees and molds.
- Pets can also be allergic to flea bites and common ingredients in foods.
- We can do a lot to help these allergy sufferers so call your vet if you suspect you have an allergic pet!
Kittens!
- Spring is big-time kitten season, and thanks to people who came before us, our overpopulation problem is very real.
- Please look out for these little guys and remember to help those who can’t help themselves.
- We have at our fingertips some amazing animal shelters and humane societies who can offer you guidance, support, supplies, animal medical care or even take them in but please, please don’t ignore this issue.
- And always get mom spayed.
Fighting and scrapping!
- Along with our warmer weather comes Spring Fever Induced battles over feline territory and mates.
- Beware if you let your cats outside unattended they may act out their own four legged version of West Side Story.
- Bite wounds often become infected, so be sure to get them checked out promptly.
- Just by spaying and neutering, we GREATLY reduce the incidence of serious cat fights.
Other critters!
- This is also big breeding time for birds, squirrels, bunnies and other wild critters.
- If you see any who appear injured or sick, call your nearest wildlife center dedicated to rehabilitating and releasing injured, sick and orphaned wild animals.
- If you see apparently healthy babies you are afraid may have been abandoned, please call the experts for advice before you touch or move them.
- Many babies who appear abandoned are just misplaced and can be safely returned to a nest, many are not misplaced at all but rather are right where they are supposed to be.
- Often mom just went off for food or a little down time, and plans to return.
Other Critters continued!
- Be careful mowing, weed-whacking, or cutting limbs from trees.
- Baby bunnies are often hiding the best way they know how by laying perfectly still in the grass, fledgling birds may have just landed to catch their breath in the taller grasses, and nests of eggs and younger babies may be lurking in the tree limbs you plan to cut down.
- Check with your local Wildlife center or a knowledgeable arborist for best and worst times to mess with the trees.
Bee Stings!
- Our pets have to worry about this too.
- Curiosity often gets the best of dogs especially, and they get stung.
- This requires a visit or at least a phone call to your own veterinarian.
- She or he may need to see your pet to treat, or can give you safe and helpful medical advice on what to use at home to keep the danger and the pain down.
Take a break from watering the flowers now and then to stop and smell them.
Want more of this? Consider a career in Animal Science.
- Learn what you love, and love what you do.
- Talk to us if you want information on how to pursue a career working with animals as a vet tech, animal care professional, animal groomer or just to find out about our amazing animal rescue partners throughout Ohio. Stautzenberger College offers diploma and degree programs in Animal Studies.
March 21, 2016
Danya Linehan has been working with animals since 1983, practicing veterinary medicine since 1993, and has been a proud member of the Stautzenberger College Family since 2006. (Danya Linehan is old). Dr. Danya is the Program Chair for Animal Welfare and Management Program with the College.
As the part time shelter veterinarian at Cat Welfare Association, she is part of an amazing animal welfare team.
Danya shares her home, her rescue mission and her life with fellow animal advocate Mike Parks. Mike and Danya are owned by a lively crew of cats; they are currently one cat shy of being the crazy cat couple.
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