Spring has sprung!

Spring in all of its Saskatchewan loveliness has been edging its way to Regina! In classic prairie fashion, we have seen a mixture of lovely warm sunny days and then back to snow and freezing temperatures the next.  With the constantly changing outdoor conditions, we need to be mindful of some of the health impacts this seasonal transition can bring.

1) Outdoor Safety: we all love to get outside, back on the trails and enjoying the beautiful outdoors once the sun comes out.  However, with the constant freeze-thaw we can see some environmental hazards such as thin layers of ice on our lakes and creeks.  It is prudent to avoid having your canine companions attempt to go out on the ice this time of year to avoid accidentally falling through into frigid waters.  Our canine companions can not only develop hypothermia from the cold water, but they can also get caught up under the ice which can lead to drowning, as well as trauma from the sharp edges of the ice as they attempt to pull themselves out leading to cuts and bruising.  We also need to continue to be vigilant of 'time spent outside' for our small and short-coated breeds.  Temperatures can quickly revert to freezing in the shade or early morning/late evening periods; be mindful of how long they may be outside to avoid freezing and hypothermia.

2) Ticks: as we now experience several days where the temperature is above 0 degrees Celsius, ticks are resuming their life cycle.  In addition to our common Dermacentor sp. tick that we have here in Saskatchewan, we also are starting to see more of the black-legged Ixodes sp ticks which can carry Lyme.  The black-legged ticks in particular tend to be more active in the early spring and late fall- another reason to be vigilant with starting your pet's tick preventative medication! Lyme vaccination is also available at our hospital for our canine family members. Consult with one of our experienced Veterinarians about your pet's exposure level and upcoming travel plans to determine which external parasite preventative is best for your four-legged family member and whether they should be vaccinated for Lyme as well.

3) Mosquitos- sadly with the warmer temperatures we will also soon see the emergence of many bugs and insects again including the pesky mosquito!  In many locations within Canada (Manitoba to the east coast, pockets in B.C.) as well as in all of the U.S, heartworm disease can be endemic.  Heartworm is a parasite transmitted through infected mosquitos. Again, if your pet will be traveling outside of SK this upcoming season, discussion with our veterinarians on whether your pet may need heartworm protection is crucial!

4) Allergies- just like in humans, spring is a common season to see environmental allergy flare-ups!  Snow molds, dust mites, pollens, budding trees and fresh grass can all trigger itchy skin and rashes, ear infections, excessive licking or chewing at the paws and even anal gland irritation/scooting.  If your pet has known seasonal allergies, starting their medication before the onset of signs is recommended.  If you are noticing any new signs of irritation in your pet, an examination by one of our Veterinarians is the first step to investigate further.

5) Gastrointestinal upset: melting snow and ice can unveil a host of "treasures" underneath according to our four-legged friends!  Things such as dog and wildlife feces, deceased creatures (birds, mice, rabbits) that didn't survive winter, decomposing food scraps or garbage are but a few!  Take a walk around your backyard once things have melted to pick up and dispose of these items before your pets have the opportunity to scavenge them and keeping your pet on a leash when first heading back to the park or trails to prevent accidental ingestion as much as possible.  Ingestion can often lead to vomiting, diarrhea, and even severe systemic illness such as pancreatitis depending on what they have found!