I'd like to review some of the common springtime problems for animals and some ways to be prepared for them, or at least recognize them, before they become unmanageable.

Those walks are fun, but remember that other animals share the pathways and not all animals are friendly. BBBD (bit by big dog) is a common presentation at the veterinary hospital in the spring and it can be an embarrassing situation, not to mention expensive, if yours is the big dog. It's best to keep a leash handy and attached to your dog when the situation calls for it. A bite wound requires proper cleansing and treatment to prevent serious infection.

Lost animals should be searched for at all local shelters. Post signs and place an ad in the local newspaper. Check your pet's identification tags and microchip your pet for added protection against loss.

Keep your pets away from the pool when it is unattended. Unfortunately, backyard drowning is a common occurrence in warm weather.

Don't forget to protect any little creatures at dusk (i.e. the family bird or rabbit). They love to be outdoors too, but remember to bring them in or provide protective shelter for them at night.

Ticks can carry a multitude of diseases to your pet. Prevent tick exposure and vaccinate for lyme disease if you live in a tick-friendly environment.

And what about the wild things - skunks, raccoons and rattle snakes all enjoy the early spring sunshine.

The odor of skunk is hard to get rid of, but your veterinarian will have a recipe for you to use for bathing. Raccoons and skunks are potential carriers of rabies. Any confrontation with one of these species warrants a follow up booster of your dog's rabies vaccine along with proper care of any bite wounds.

If you live near rattlesnake habitat, you may want to have your dog vaccinated for the venomous bite. The vaccine lowers many of the potential serious complications of a rattlesnake bite but does not totally eliminate the need for complete medical care after a bite has occurred. Always seek medical attention after a bite.

Mosquitoes cause not only heartworm disease in both dogs and cats, but also allergic reactions from their bite. In cats, mosquito allergy is seen most frequently as a swollen nose. Prevention of heartworm disease is a must in our area. The larva is injected into the bloodstream of a dog or cat through the saliva of the mosquito. The time for testing for the disease and re-starting heartworm disease preventive medication is now. The disease is easy to prevent, but very difficult to treat once an animal is infected.

Foxtail season is just around the corner. As soon as the bright green foliage turns to brown, those little creeping awns will begin to attach themselves to the ears, nose, toes and body of our beloved pets. They know only one direction and that is in. The tell tale signs include the sudden onset of a shaking head, excessive sneezing, draining tracts between the toes or anywhere on the body. These must be removed to prevent severe or life threatening damage.

Also remember that the dog you had outside all last year has aged and been sedentary for awhile. Start slowly and increase the exercise level gradually or, just like you, he'll be tired and grumpy tomorrow.

White cats are susceptible to cancer on the face and ears. Use sunblock and keep them inside, out of the sun, as much as possible.

Puppies are exposed to parvo virus in parks and grassy regions. A dog is not fully vaccinated until around 4 months of age. Use care when introducing a puppy to his new environment. Keep him leashed and prevent exposure to other animals until he is fully vaccinated.

Cat fights abound during mating season. Feline leukemia and Feline Immunodeficiency virus (FIV) are spread during fighting. Protect your cat by keeping him indoors. Check with your veterinarian for the best possible protective vaccination program advisable for your cat. And make sure yours is a neutered or spayed animal.