Oakley Square Animal Hospital

Pet Tips
FYI

Plant Toxicity

Listed are 20 of the most popular house plants and their level of toxicity.

Boston Fern. non-toxic
African Violet. non-toxic
Palm. non-toxic
Spider Plant. non-toxic
Philodendren. mildly toxic. Chewing or ingestion can result in irritation of the mouth and throat. Drooling and vomiting may occur.
Ficus. mildly toxic. Contact can result in skin irritation. Chewing or ingestion can result in vomiting and diarrhea.
Snake Plant. mildly toxic. Chewing or ingestion can result in vomiting and diarrhea.
Schefflera. Chewing or ingestion can result in irritation of the mouth and throat. Can cause drooling and vomiting.
Croton. mildly toxic. Chewing or ingestion can result in vomiting and diarrhea.
Jade. mildly toxic. Chewing or ingestion can result in vomiting, depression and staggering.
Aloe Vera. mildly toxic. Chewing or ingestion can result in vomiting, diarrhea, lack of appetite and muscle tremors.
Dieffenbachia. mildly toxic. Chewing or ingestion can result in mouth and throat irritation. Drooling and vomiting may occur.
Poinsettia. mildly toxic. Chewing or ingestion can result in irritation of the mouth and throat. Drooling and vomiting will occur.
Pothos. mildly toxic. Chewing or ingestion can resulting mouth and throat irritation. Drooling and vomiting may occur.
Corn Plant. mildly toxic. Chewing or ingestion can result in vomiting, drooling and staggering.
Chinese Evergreen. mildly toxic. Chewing or ingestion can result in irritation of the mouth and throat.
Peace lily. mildly toxic. Chewing or ingestion can result in irritation of the mouth and throat. Drooling an vomiting may occur.
Antherium. mildly toxic. Chewing or ingestion can result in irritation of the mouth and throat. Drooling and vomiting may occur.
Norfolk Pine. moderately toxic. Chewing or ingestion can result in vomiting, depression, pale gums and low body temperature.
Ivy. moderately toxic. Chewing or ingestion can result in vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, difficulty breathing, fever and muscle tremors.

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Warm Weather Tips

When the temperature is high, do not let your dog stand on hot asphalt. The body can heat quickly and paw pads can burn.
Play time should be in early morning or evening. Try to avoid the peak afternoon hours and when the humidity is high.
Never leave your pet in a vehicle alone. Even with the windows open, a parked car will heat quickly. Parking in the shade offers little protection because the sun will shift during the day.
Provide fresh water and plenty of shade for animals left outdoors.
Avoid walking your dogs in areas that have been sprayed with insecticides or other chemicals. Be alert for auto fluids leaking. Animals are attracted to antifreeze and it is highly toxic. Ingesting a small amount can be fatal.
Be especially sensitive to older and overweight animals in hot weather. Brachycephalic (snub-nose) dogs, animals with heart or lung disease should be kept in a cool environment as much as possible.
Never shave your dog down to the skin. Leave at least 1" coat length. Shaving completely will rob protection from the sun and can lead to your dog being sunburned.
Never apply sunscreen or insect repellant unless it is labeled specifically for dog or cat use.

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Cold Weather Tips

Keep your cat inside. When the mercury dips, outdoor cats sometimes sleep under the hood of cars. When the motor is started, the cat is injured or killed by the fan belt.
Never let your dog walk off leash on snow or ice.
Thoroughly wipe off your dogs legs and stomach when he comes in from snow. He can ingest salt, antifreeze or other potentially hazardous chemicals. His paw pads could also bleed from snow or incrusted ice.
Never shave your dog down in the winter. Longer hair provides more warmth. Consider getting a coat for short haired breed.
If you bathe your dog, make sure the coat is completely dried before going outdoors.
Never leave your cat or dog alone in a car during winter. Your car can act as a refrigerator holding cold air inside and causing the animal to freeze to death.
Antifreeze is a lethal poison for cats and dogs. Be sure to thoroughly clean any spills from your vehicle and consider using products that conatin propylene glycol rather than ethylene glycol.

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Car Travel

Get your pet geared up for a long trip by taking him on a series of short trips then gradually legthening time spent in the car.
Feed your pet a light meal 3-4 hours prior to departure.
Never leave your pet alone in a parked vehicle. On a hot day, even with the windows open, a parked car can become a furnace in no time and heatstroke can develop. In cold weather, the car acts as a refrigerator causing your pet to freeze to death.
Make sure your pet wears a collar and an ID tag. You may also want to microchip your pet if not already done.
Do not allow your pet to ride with his head outside the window. This can subject him to inner ear damage, lung infections and he can be injured by flying objects.
If travelling across state lines, be sure to have a current vaccine record with you. A health certificate is always a wise option and is required in some states.
Opt for bottled water or bring tap water in a plastic jug from your home. Drinking water from an area he is not used to can caused an upset stomach.
Do not forget to have any medication prescribed by your veterinarian with you along with instructions how to administer.
It would be wise to check for emergency vet clinics the route you plan to travel in case it would be needed.
Never allow your pet to roam freely while you are driving. Use a safety harness or a well ventilated carrier.

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Air Travel with Pets

Make an appointment for a physical exam to make sure all vaccines are current and to have a health certificate issued. The certificate must be obtained prior to departure. Please check with your airline for health certificate requirements and international travel requirements.
Be sure your pet is wearing an ID tag.
Book a direct flight whenever possible. This will decrease the chances that is left on the tarmac during extreme weather conditions or mishandled by baggage personnel.
Purchase a USDA-approved shipping crate that is large enough to stand, sit and turn in comfortably.
Write the words LIVE ANIMAL on the crate and use arrows to indicate the upright position. Also write your infromation on the crate including your destination point. <