How To Protect Your Pets From Lawn Fleas & Ticks

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 Even if your dog spends most of their time indoors, you as a pet owner still worry about fleas and ticks, so it's good to have a pet-friendly, pest-free yard.You can make certain your yard isn’t harboring fleas and ticks. And you don't need sprays that can harm your pet. Here's what to do.

Practice Smart Lawn Care

Keep it cut close and trim your shrubs. Short grass lets more sunlight reach the ground. That makes your lawn drier, so it's harder for fleas and ticks to live and breed.

Avoid Chemical Sprays

Plenty of them can rid your yard of fleas, ticks, and other insects, but many contain chemicals that are bad for pets, small children and you. Remember, your dog is low to the ground, where these products get applied. They also weigh less than you, so poison can affect them more. A pet who spends time on a sprayed lawn can spread chemicals to children through hugs or a shared bed. Even products that call themselves “natural” or have essential oils can hurt pets or kids.

Find Fleas 

First Don't treat your entire yard for these pests. Only target areas where you've seen them. Here’s how to hunt for fleas outside: Put on a pair of white socks and pull them up to your knees. Slowly walk around in the spots where your dog likes to wander. If fleas are there, they'll jump at you. You'll see their dark bodies against the socks.

Skip the Spray

If chemicals aren’t your thing, go to a garden supply store for nematodes. These tiny worm like critters are smaller than fleas and like to feed on them. But they won’t hurt pets or people. To apply them to your lawn, water the area first, spray on nematodes, then water again.

Try Tick Control

If you live next to a wooded area or your neighbor's yard has overgrown plants, cut back the brush on your side. Then create a gravel or wood-chip border 3 feet wide. This makes it hard for ticks to travel across to your lawn.If there are lots of these pests in your area and you want to use a chemical spray, look for safety advice from the Natural Resources Defense Council's Green Paws product guide.   or  The NRDC Tick and Flea Product Safety Directory**Avoid the use of any product containing pennyroyal oil it has been reported to cause seizures, comas, and even death in animals. Enjoy Your Summer with Your Pets Free of Pests .... !! 

  Can your dog get Sunburn?  The answer is YES!

Just like people, Dogs are prone to sunburn and to other complications and diseases associated with over exposure to the sun.  Taking certain safety measures can lower your dog’s risk of developing serious sun-related medical issues. This includes choosing a sunscreen appropriate for dogs.

Sun Risks

Sunburn isn’t just painful for dogs; it can lead to more serious problem, like skin cancer and worsen conditions like autoimmune disorders and dermatitis. Luckily, a little careful planning can prevent your dog from catching too many ultraviolet (UV) rays.

Predisposed Dogs

Some dogs are more at risk for sunburn than others. Hairless dog breeds, such as the Xoloitzcuintli, Chinese Crested, and American Hairless Terrier, need sun protection when they are outside for long periods of time. Dogs with white or thin coats and dogs with light-pigmented noses and eyelids are also more at risk for sunburn, for example, Collies, Australian Sheepdogs, Dalmatians, Bulldogs, Whippets, and any dog with light or white pigment on their ears or near their nose. Even some dogs with thick coats of hair may experience hair loss from seasonal shedding or a health condition that may cause their coats to become very thin and may then be at greater risk for sunburn.

If your dog just loves to lie out on your patio and feel the sun’s warmth? According to AKC’s Chief Veterinarian, dogs that lie outside on concrete or on light surfaces, especially those that lie on their backs, can suffer sunburn.

Sunscreen for Dogs

Sunscreen protects dogs from sunburn. It can also cause problems. It’s highly important that you only use types of sunscreen that are specifically intended for use on dogs. They should not contain zinc oxide or para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), as these ingredients are toxic to dogs if ingested, and dogs will often lick their skin and accidentally ingest the sunscreen. It’s also a good idea to use a non-scented sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 that is also waterproof.

How to Apply Sunscreen to Dogs

So how do you get your dog-safe sunscreen on your wiggly pup? Carefully. First, test a small amount on one spot to be sure it doesn’t cause an allergic reaction. Next, be sure to put it on the spots most exposed to sunshine, such as the bridge of the nose, ear tips, skin around his lips, groin, and inner thighs – and anywhere else where pigmentation is light. When applying it to you dog’s head, be sure not to get any in his eyes. And once you apply the sunscreen, watch that your dog doesn’t lick it off for about 10 or 15 minutes – until it’s been absorbed.

You should apply sunscreen about 20 minutes before your dog goes out. And while he’s out in the sun, reapply the sunscreen every four-to-six hours or after your dog goes swimming.

Treating Sunburn in Dogs

Veterinarians advise that any time sunburn is visible as reddened, warm, or flaking skin, you should move your dog inside or at least into the shade as quickly as possible. Cool compresses and ointments may soothe the skin to help relieve the initial symptoms. Aloe may help a minor burn. However, if the burn is severe, you should call your veterinarian because treatment with a cortisone product may be needed to prevent inflammation. There may also be a secondary infection requiring antibiotics. If these complications do occur, the dog will need to be well protected from the sun in the future to prevent permanent damage.

Although sunscreen is important, it can’t be counted on to be 100 percent effective. “The best way to protect your dog from the sun is to keep him indoors or in the shade 

Enjoy Your Summer with Your Pet !!

Your personal Vet

Vet nearest you

Nearest Animal Control Center

Nearest 24 hr Emergency Veterinary Clinic

Poison Control Center or Hotline

An emergency contact. Either a loved one or friend who may be able to help during an emergency. 

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Pet emergency paperwork  

It is always helpful to know your pet’s latest vaccination status, and keep appropriate medical records. Many times, in a state of emergency, it is hard to remember everything you need. If your pet’s paperwork is easily accessible in your Pet First Aid Kit, this will be helpful for your veterinarian for immediate treatment in an emergency. 

The records should include:

• Vaccination status
• Medical history of past illnesses
• Current illnesses
• A photo I/D of your pet

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Include:

Warm thick blanket you can use to keep him warm on the way to, and at the vet’s office. 

Clean towels -  They can be useful if your dog is bleeding.  

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Rescue remedy, or any other brand of flower essence therapy for shock is crucial. You’ll need to keep your dog calm, and this is key for that. The most common brand is Rescue Remedy, but your vet can recommend others.   

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Include plenty of: 

Gauze pads 

Cotton

Bandage tape (non-stick and medical tape) 

Q-tips, 

Elastic bandages to ensure you’re prepared for any flesh wounds.  (Bandages – large and small) 

Scissors with blunt ends

Tweezers 

Alcohol wipes and swabs

Pure Water (Spring or Distilled) 

Antiseptic Ointment

Saline Solution - to flush eyes

Hydrogen Peroxide  

Betadine antiseptic solution to clean wounds. This is an antiseptic used in hospitals and is available in large containers as well as smaller more convenient bottles.

Blood-clotting gel or powder or styptic powder to stop bleeding

Cold pack - the type that becomes cold when you fold the pack in half. This is to prevent or reduce swelling with a sprain or strain and to cool off pet if overheated)

Note:

There are also vet bandages, which don’t stick to fur or hair, and these are very wise addition to your first aid kit for pets. Be careful to not put them on too tightly. Check your pet’s paws often for warmth. If the paw gets cooler the bandage should be loosened as the circulation may be affected.

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Make sure you have a clean: 

Spray bottle 

Measuring cups and spoons 

An eyedropper 

One or two clean glass (preferred) or plastic bottles.  

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Pet emergency medications 
Keeping some medications in your Pet’s First Aid Kit can be helpful in emergency situations, but it is important to consult with your veterinarian regarding the appropriate dosing and whether these medications are safe or indicated for your pet: 

• Benadryl (Diphenhydramine)- your veterinarian must tell you the correct dose before administering this medication
• Glucose paste or corn syrup (for diabetic dogs or small breed puppies with low blood sugar)- speak with your veterinarian before administering glucose paste or corn syrup to your pet
• Enteric-coated Aspirin to relieve pain. This is for dogs only. Do not give to any other animal except dogs. Find out from your veterinarian the correct dosage and how often to administer for each size dog you have. Put this on the species card. Do not give any animal Ibuprofen or acetaminophen

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Baking Soda, Cider Vinegar, and Natural Soap   can help with a variety of topical issues like itching due to allergic reactions.  

Note:  Find a sturdy bag or plastic box for your kit. Remember, this is just a guideline, and since every dog is different, be sure to also consult with your vet.

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  I hope this helps everyone be a little more prepared and less panicked in case of a pet emergency. Having the essentials to deal with an emergency will help you feel more secure and ready to care for your beloved pet. Please update your Pet First Aid Kit every 6 months to make sure you have everything you need, and medications are not expired. And remember to keep the kit out of the reach of children. 

Additional Resources:

• If you have any questions or concerns, you should always visit or call your veterinarian. They are your best resource to ensure the health and well-being of your pets.
• ASPCA National Animal Poison Control charges per incident and requires a credit card 888-426-4435 (follow up calls are free)
• National Animal Poison Control Center of the University of Illinois charges for the first 5 minutes and  per minute thereafter 900-680-0000. The fee is charged to your phone
• Pet Poison Helpline, available in Canada, the US and the Caribbean, charges per incident 1-800-213-6680
• Americans can call the Kansas State University Veterinary Hospital for free 1-785-532-5679

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