CARING FOR YOUR PET
Help Pets Beat Mother Nature
The summer is upon us and we have the opportunity to get outdoors and enjoy activities with our pets. In the Northland we are blessed with a number of pet friendly outdoor trails, parks and lakes. The bonding and exercise is beneficial to the heart, mind and soul. But like any excursion, a little planning and preparation is needed to ensure a safe and enjoyable outing. In the Midwest we have an abundance of parasites and bugs that haunt our outdoors. Most of which we can prevent from causing trouble with appropriate preventative. Fleas and ticks are no match for modern medications, and we have good options that are administered topically and now orally. My preference is in the newer oral medication NexGuard. It comes in a chewable treat form and is given once a month. This oral formulation is great for active dogs that enjoy playing in the water as it cannot be washed off. It has a stellar safety record and yields dependable results. Let’s not forget to give the mosquitoes their due respect. Mosquitoes carry deadly heartworms which too can be easily prevented with a monthly medication. (Dogs and cats are NOT affected by the Zika virus in the news) And of course current vaccinations are a must in areas of higher traffic. 10 | N O R T H M A G A Z I N E | M A Y/J U N E 2 0 1 6
Don’t forget about the heat! Our dogs and cats do not perspire on their skin as we do so they are more susceptible to heat exhaustion and stroke. Make sure to take clean drinking water with you and offer it frequently. Do not allow your pet to drink from puddles, lakes etc. as this is a recipe for trouble. Our fur babies with fair skin on their noses and around the eyes are susceptible to sunburn as well, so don’t be afraid to apply sun screen labeled for children. Enjoy Mother Nature’s offerings, but please be safe……See ya at the park. Jim Sparks, DVM, is a lifelong Northlander working at Eagle Animal Hospital, Inc. Other than an externship in Alaska, Dr. Sparks has always practiced at Eagle. In 1995, he became the third owner of the now 67-year-old practice. Dr. Sparks and Eagle Animal Hospital have received multiple awards including multiple “Best in the Northland” and the “Pro Patria Award,” which is the highest honor given to civilian employers by the United States Department of Defense. Eagle Animal Hospital was also recently recognized as one of the “KC Smart Companies to Watch.”
EAGLE ANIMAL HOSPITAL: 816-741-2345 • eagleanimalhospital.com