As the cold days of winter come upon us, BluePearl Veterinary Partners recommends taking certain precautions to ensure your pet doesn’t suffer from cold-temperature related injuries.

Dr. Scott Rizzo, a board-certified specialist in internal medicine with BluePearl Veterinary Partners in Kentucky, offered this advice:

•     Antifreeze is highly toxic to people and animals. Cats and dogs are attracted to its sweet smell and taste, and will often sample some if left out in a container or spilled on the garage floor. If you suspect that your pet has come into contact with antifreeze, contact your veterinarian immediately. The success of treatment to antifreeze exposure depends on quick action.

•     Dogs and cats get frostbite! Any dog or cat who is exposed to very cold temperatures for more than brief periods of time can develop frostbite.  If pets begin to shiver or their ears, tail, and feet show signs of frostbite such as redness in the early stages and pale, white or patches in more advanced cases of frostbite, bring them inside immediately.

As the hot days of summer come upon us, BluePearl Veterinary Partners recommends taking certain precautions to ensure your pet doesn’t suffer from heat related injuries.

It is best to keep pets in an air conditioned environment during the heat of the day and to limit strenuous activities such as running and playing. If your pet does become overheated, spray the animal down with room temperature or cool water, but never ice water. Ice cold water causes a decrease in blood flow to the skin and heat can’t escape the body, which makes heat exhaustion symptoms worse.

The 50th anniversary of Poison Prevention Week is March 18-24, marking five decades of safer homes and saved lives. While much of the nationally-recognized effort has been directed at raising awareness with parents of small children, the veterinarians at Pet Poison Helpline remind us that pets are also vulnerable and susceptible to accidental ingestion of potentially life-threatening common items in the home.

“Pets are curious and often can’t resist smelling, tasting and sometimes swallowing foods, plants and other items in our homes that interest them,” said Ahna Brutlag, DVM, MS, and assistant director at Pet Poison Helpline.

In conjunction with Poison Prevention Week, Pet Poison Helpline has simplified the process of identifying potentially poisonous situations by categorizing them by room or area in which they reside.

Pet Poison Helpline suggests protecting your pets by poison-proofing your home, room by room, as follows.