Heartworm can have devastating consequences for your pet, including death. It is especially tragic when dogs and cats succumb to heartworm disease when it’s entirely preventable. Now that warm weather is finally here, your dog or cat has a much greater likelihood of acquiring heartworm just by being outside since the most common route of transmission is a bite from an infected mosquito.

It can be scary when your pet has ingested a potentially toxic substance, especially when you didn’t see what he licked or swallowed. To help raise awareness of the issue and prevent illness or fatality in pets, the American Veterinary Medical Association named the third week in March Pet Poison Prevention Week . Below are some hazards you should be especially aware of  this time of year.

Antifreeze

To a thirsty dog or cat, antifreeze can look just like water. Unfortunately, it can cause severe symptoms such as seizures immediately upon ingestion. It also takes less than a capful to be fatal to pets. Be sure to keep your pet away from the driveway if you know that your car drips antifreeze, and keep whatever you’re not using stored on a high shelf in the garage.

If you only visit our Chosen Valley Vet Clinic when your pet is injured or sick, you’re missing the opportunity to get a complete picture of her health. The preventive care exam allows our veterinarians to detect potential health issues and begin monitoring or treating them right away.  By committing to preventive care, you could extend it by months or years. It’s well worth the investment when you consider how much love and joy your pet brings into your life.