Springtime brings a whole new set of problems for animals. Here are some ways to be prepared for them:

Walks

Not all animals sharing the walkway are friendly. Being bit by a bigger dog is a fairly common spring ailment at the veterinary hospital. It can not only be embarrassing if yours is the biter, but expensive as well.

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.

Ticks

Your pet can acquire a multitude of diseases from one tick. Prevent tick exposure and vaccinate for Lyme disease if you live in a tick-friendly environment. Check your animals daily and identify problems quickly.

Allergies

Dogs lick their feet and belly when they are allergic and ear infections are prevalent. Hair loss, especially above the tail, is a sure sign of flea allergy.

Cats may cough with asthma or develop tiny sores on the skin from fleas.

Bottom line, get current on the flea control and watch for early signs of allergy. Get them into the veterinarian before the problem becomes severe.

Mosquitoes

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 restarting heartworm disease preventive medication is now. The disease is easy to prevent, but very difficult to treat once an animal is infected.

Mosquitoes also cause allergic reactions from their bite. In cats, mosquito allergy is seen most often as a swollen nose.

Foxtail

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 pets. Once attached, foxtails start to head in. The 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.

Parvo virus

Puppies become exposed to parvo virus in parks and grassy regions. A dog is not fully vaccinated until around four 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

Cat fights abound during mating season. Feline leukemia and Feline Immunodeficiency virus (FIV) are spread during fighting. Protect your cat by keeping him indoors. And make sure yours is a neutered or spayed animal.