Summer is a wonderful time to enjoy the outdoors with your pet. While enjoying the warm sunny weather, please keep in mind some substances that may be hazardous to your animal friends this season. VESCONE is a proud member of the ASPCA Veterinary Lifeline Partner Program. Our staff works closely with the ASPCA to ensure the best quality of health care for your pet. If you believe your pet may have been exposed to any of the following toxins, please call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Hotline at (888) 426-4235. A veterinarian will speak with you about your pet, and give you instructions on how to further care for your pet.

Summer is the season for insects, and snakes to come out and play. Ingestion of some of these critters may be toxic to your pet. Also, some animals may develop a severe allergic reaction to certain insect or spider bites. If you notice facial swelling, hives, or severe itchiness from your pet it is best to seek veterinary assistance as soon as possible. A prolonged or severe allergic reaction may cause swelling of the throat which can be life threatening.

Gardening is also a common summertime activity when we can enjoy the outdoors with our pets. However, when using any herbicides or insecticides, it is important to keep your pet away from the area of the yard being treated (recommended time can be found on product label), and to store all chemicals in an area which is not accessible to your pet.

Some products which are extremely toxic to pets are slug and snail baits which contain metaldehyde and fly baits which contain methomyl. Mole and Gopher Poison containing zinc phosphides are also extremely toxic to your pet.

Cooling off in your backyard pool? Please remember to keep all pool chemicals out of your pet’s reach, as they are extremely toxic if ingested.

Plants are sprouting everywhere during summer, and some may be hazardous for your pet to ingest. For a complete list of plants that are toxic to your pet, please visit aspca.org.

The warm weather also brings an influx of fleas and ticks. It is extremely important to help your outdoor pet fight these parasites as safely as possible. Fleas can cause dermatitis, or severe allergic reactions in your pet, as well as carry disease to the human members of your family. All ticks can carry Lyme disease. Protect your pet and your family this summer by using the best possible flea and tick control as recommended by your veterinarian. The most effective way to treat and kill fleas and ticks on your pet is by using a veterinary prescribed monthly topical or spot treatment which is applied directly to your pet’s skin. Over the counter permethrin spot-on products sold at pet stores have been shown to cause symptoms in cats such as facial twitching, muscle tremors, seizures, and even death. Over the counter products such as flea dips, flea sprays, flea collars, and spot treatments are not recommended as they are not usually given under the direction of a veterinarian and often end up being applied improperly.

Some other products commonly used in the summertime which carry a mild level of toxicity for your pet are: mosquito coils, charcoal briquettes, charcoal lighter fluid, moldy items from trash or compost pile, DEET - containing insect repellents, and rodenticides.

Please help your beloved animal companion stay safe this summer season.