Popo Says - Although ticks are active most of the year, spring is a time when they become more active as the weather warms up. Ticks can be found in tall grasses, forest floor leaves and brush. It may surprise you, but ticks can be found in your backyard as well as forests and wooded areas. Your pet may encounter these tiny parasites as you spend more time outdoors. Spring is a time when both people and pets are at risk for mosquito bites. Heartworm disease is especially dangerous for pets due to parasitic worms that are spread through mosquito bites. It's important that pets are protected with heartworm preventatives year-round. Whether they take an oral supplement, use topical solution, or receive an injectable from their veterinarian, it is also vital that they are screened for heartworm disease during their semi-annual veterinarian appointments. Although spring is a wonderful season for temperature changes and more time outdoors, it is also a time when your pets are more susceptible to diseases from outdoor creatures. Be sure to ask your veterinarian if a flea and tick product or heartworm product are the best preventative measures for your pet. Fleas are similar to ticks in that they become more active during warmer temperatures and are capable of living in nearly all types of environments. In fact, most pets are susceptible to fleas, even indoor pets. That's why many veterinarians recommend flea preventatives for all pets in a household, regardless of if they go outside. Credit: Merck Animal Health

Popo Says - How do I know if my pet’s weight is healthy? First and foremost, have an honest conversation with your veterinarian about your pet’s weight. Your veterinarian can assess your pet’s weight and overall health and make recommendations regarding your pet’s weight, diet and exercise. Your veterinarian can also teach you to assess your pet’s body condition by observing your pet’s body shape and feeling certain parts of your pet’s body. A healthy weight isn’t simply a number on a scale; it’s about healthy body composition. 

Excess weight can reduce your pet’s life expectancy by more than two years. Keeping your pet at a healthy weight lowers his/her risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, respiratory disease, kidney disease, and some forms of cancer. It can also reduce the risks of injury to bones, joints and muscles that are associated with excess weight.

It’s probably no surprise, but there’s no one-size-fits-all approach or magic remedy to help your pet shed excess pounds. What works for one pet doesn’t necessarily work for another pet. Reaching and maintaining a healthy weight requires a commitment to a healthier lifestyle that achieves a balance between the calories consumed and the calories used by the body for normal functions and activity. Even a modest reduction in weight can significantly reduce your pet’s risk of life-threatening diseases.

Working with your veterinarian, make an honest assessment of your pet’s health and weight. Does your pet have any medical problems that have been caused – or made worse – by excess weight? Is your pet’s weight putting him/her at a higher risk of disease or problems? Focus on what matters – your pet’s good health and long life.

Being more active and living a healthier lifestyle benefits the entire family. Find activities you enjoy that can include your pet, and the journey will be more enjoyable for all of you.

Popo Says - Dermatitis is a general word for any type of inflammation of the skin. It is usually used until a specific diagnosis is reached. There are many causes of skin inflammation, including external irritants, burns, allergens, trauma, and infection. Dermatitis can also result from internal or body-wide disorders. Click to refresh your knowledge of dermatitis in cats: https://mrkmnls.co/2Yw4Zj2

Allergies caused by environmental allergens (such as dust mites, pollens, or molds) or food are common in dogs and frequently cause redness and itchiness of the ears. Allergies often lead to ear canal infections, which can extend to the pinna (outer ear). Click to refresh your knowledge on ear problems in dogs: https://mrkmnls.co/31ntLPu

With temperatures soaring to all-time highs across the country, be sure you know how to spot the signs of heat stroke in your pets: https://mrkmnls.co/2svtmuk

The pros and cons of dry and wet food for cats: https://mrkmnls.co/2WvKTUY 

Keeping a healthy cat requires a balanced diet, regular exercise, and lots of love. If you notice a change in their weight and daily routine, ask your veterinarian about pet diabetes.

Hot summer weather means vacation time – but don’t forget that it also marks the beginning of hurricane season. Learn how to create an evacuation plan and emergency arrangements for all your furry, feathered, or scaled pets from the ASPCA. https://bit.ly/2SgqQol

Popo Says - Accidents happen and pets need protection, too. Be diligent about properly securing your pets when they travel with you – by land, air or sea. As you plan for spring and summer travel, we’re taking one item off your ‘To Do’ list. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) answers all your questions to keep your pet happy and healthy while traveling. https://bit.ly/2HG3yVg 

Popo Says - Springtime comes with health risks for pets. Ensure your pets are prepared for the great outdoors with flea & tick protection, heartworm prevention and vaccinations. If your pet is frequenting the water bowl more than usual, it can mean something is wrong. Are ticks after your dog? Ticks can climb onto blades of grass or shrubs and stretch out their legs, waiting for your dog to pass by. And ticks can carry Lyme disease, which can be debilitating to dogs. Call us to learn more about vaccinating your dog against Lyme disease!

Popo Says - Although ticks are active most of the year, spring is a time when they become more active as the weather warms up. Ticks can be found in tall grasses, forest floor leaves and brush. It may surprise you, but ticks can be found in your backyard as well as forests and wooded areas. Your pet may encounter these tiny parasites as you spend more time outdoors.

Fleas are similar to ticks in that they become more active during warmer temperatures and are capable of living in nearly all types of environments. In fact, most pets are susceptible to fleas, even indoor pets. That's why many veterinarians recommend flea preventatives for all pets in a household, regardless of if they go outside.

Spring is a time when both people and pets are at risk for mosquito bites. Heartworm disease is especially dangerous for pets due to parasitic worms that are spread through mosquito bites. It's important that pets are protected with heartworm preventatives year-round. Whether they take an oral supplement, use topical solution, or receive an injectable from their veterinarian, it is also vital that they are screened for heartworm disease during their semi-annual veterinarian appointments.

Although spring is a wonderful season for temperature changes and more time outdoors, it is also a time when your pets are more susceptible to diseases from outdoor creatures. Be sure to ask your veterinarian if a flea and tick product or heartworm product are the best preventative measures for your pet. Credit: Merck Animal Health

Popo says - Want to show your pet you love them? Let us count the ways! To foster your dog or cat’s instinctual food drive, keep pet-friendly treats on hand, and use them between meals to engage and interact with them (rather than just doling out treats for being cute, which they always are).nNotice how your cat manages to find all the hidden food in your house? For feline parents, get creative. Find small treats and place them in a puzzle, which must be solved for the cat to receive the reward. 

Love your pet by trying to be mindful of changes in their behavior - If you feel like your dog isn’t listening to you, or trying to do the opposite you’re asking, stop and reflect on what’s happening. In scenarios where your dog is “being difficult,” they are likely just too stressed by what’s going on around them, especially if they aren’t interested in tasty rewards.Love your pets by PAYING ATTENTION! Face-to-face interactions with people are much more fulfilling when phones are out of sight, and the same holds true for our pets. Credit: Paw Culture

Cold Weather

The U.S. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s Animal Welfare Act recommends that ambient temperature should not drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, especially when sick, aged or young animals are present. If it does, plan to supplement the animal’s environment with auxiliary heating and additional bedding. Additionally, animals should always be provided with adequate protection and shelter from the direct effect of wind, rain or snow. Remember that animals in Texas are not acclimated to cold weather so they must be protected from extreme weather conditions accordingly. Allowing pets indoors is a great way to protect them from harsh weather.

If you know or suspect that an animal has ingested any of the above items, immediately consult a veterinarian, animal emergency clinic or poison control center. The Texas Poison Center Network can be reached at 800/222-1222. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center can be reached at 800/548-2423.

Thanks is given to Dr. John C. Haliburton, former Head of Diagnostic Toxicology for the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory in Amarillo, for his assistance and expertise in preparing this article.

1Rosendale, ME. Veterinary Medicine. 1999; August:703..

Pam wilson, LVT, MEd, MCHES, works at the Texas Department of State Health Services in the Zoonosis Control Branch.

Popo Says!

Getting a new puppy or kitten? There are some things you need to do!

Schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. Making sure your pet is healthy should be your first priority.

How will you transport the puppy or kitten home? If you're adopting from a shelter, they may provide a box with a top that can be closed. Otherwise, use a kennel to contain the pet, and line it with a towel or soft bedding.

A cat or dog wearing a collar conveys that they belong to someone. And if you plan on taking your pet outside, a leash is essential.

Your growing pet will be hungry, and good nutrition puts him or her on a healthy track. Ask your veterinarian for product recommendations. And head off behavior problems before they begin by never feeding your pet from the table where you and your family eat.

If there is any area in your home that you want to make off limits, you'll need to block your new pet from entering. But don't leave him there alone all day; he needs time to socialize and collect cuddles and kisses.

Credit: Merck Health