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Leptospirosis is the most widespread zoonotic disease in the world. A zoonotic disease can be spread between animals and humans, meaning you can catch leptospirosis from your pet if they become ill. Our team at Bayside Animal Hospital wants to answer some common questions about this concerning disease, to help you understand the condition, and to take the necessary steps to prevent you and your pet from becoming infected.

Question: What is leptospirosis and how can my dog be infected?

As more California acreage burns every day, you likely worry about protecting your pet should the fire’s path lead to your door. Our team at Bayside Animal Hospital wants to provide tips to help keep your pet safe if flames get too close.

#1: Ensure your pet has appropriate identification

If you are forced to evacuate, the resulting commotion could cause your pet to panic and run away. Ensure they are wearing a snug fitting collar and current identification in case they get past your defences at a stressful moment. Microchipping is the best way to help ensure a reunion if your pet becomes lost, and this can be done at your pet’s next wellness visit. Then, remember to keep your information current at the microchip registry.

July Fourth is around the corner, and you are likely already preparing for the barbecue and fireworks display. However, these festivities can be dangerous and distressing for your precious pet. Our team at Bayside Animal Hospital wants to provide tips to reduce your pet’s anxiety, and ensure their safety during the celebration.

Tip #1: Keep tabs on your pet

A noisy gathering can be a stressful situation for your pet, who may try to escape to a quieter place while you are busy socializing. Take a few precautions to ensure you can locate your pet if they decide to wander. Ensure they are wearing a snug collar with accurate identification tags. Have your pet microchipped, and keep your contact microchip registry information current. This is the best way to reunite with your pet if they are lost. Also, take a picture of your pet so you can post a current photograph should they go missing.

Your pet loves splashing around in water in every form, from puddles to the ocean. You enjoy watching your pet frolic as they thoroughly soak themselves, but you want to ensure they remain safe while they play. The team at Bayside Animal Hospital recommends a few water safety tips that will protect your pet from danger.

#1: Teach your pet to swim

Pets do not all naturally know how to swim, but you can teach them, if they are receptive to the idea. Swimming is a great, low impact exercise for your pet, and the skill will prevent them from drowning. Follow these steps:

If you have the camping and hiking bug, you probably own a dog who is equally as excited about spending time outdoors. You don’t want to leave your pet at home when striking out on one of these adventures, so plan ahead to ensure they can come with you and be safe. Our team at Bayside Animal Hospital has a list of hiking and camping safety tips that can help.

#1: Ensure that your dog is protected, healthy, and fit enough for the trip

Before heading out on the trail, ensure your pet is up for the exertion and prepared for what is ahead.

An itchy pet is an uncomfortable pet, and they can be frustrating for any pet owner. The constant scratching, chewing, and licking likely keeps you up at night, and can cause your pet to develop a secondary skin or ear infection. Allergies are one of the main reasons we see itchy pets at Bayside Animal Hospital, and learning more about this scratchy situation can help provide your pet the welcome relief they need. 

What causes allergies in pets?

The immune system is designed to protect your pet’s body by diligently patrolling for enemy invaders that may cause illness. An allergic reaction occurs when the immune system becomes hypersensitive to a usually benign substance (i.e., allergen), and releases histamines, causing redness, swelling, and itching. The most common hypersensitivity reactions in pets are because of allergies to fleas, the environment, or food, or through direct contact with an allergen, resulting in itchy skin, feet (i.e., dermatitis), or ears (i.e., otitis). 

Spring has sprung, and with the rising temperatures and inviting weather, many pet owners are spending more time outside with their four-legged companions. Your feline friends may also be spending more time outdoors, or sunbathing on their catios. But, springtime temperatures are also inviting for pesky parasites, including mosquitoes, whose blood-sucking, biting habits can be dangerous, since they can transmit heartworms to dogs, cats, and many other wild animal species. Our Bayside Animal Hospital team wants to ensure your pets are protected from a potentially fatal heartworm infection. Here are our answers to common questions. 

How does my pet become infected with heartworms?

Puppies are energetic fur balls, who fill our lives with sweet puppy breath and cozy cuddles. However, like human childhood, puppyhood is a critical time to ensure they learn and develop proper manners, social skills, and habits, so they remain healthy through their grey muzzle years. Follow these four tips from your Bayside Animal Hospital team to provide your puppy with the proper care and tools to help set them up for success from puppyhood to adulthood. 

#1: Purchase pet health insurance

Percy the Kitten: “I squinted as my surroundings slowly came into focus. They pulled my breathing tube, and wrapped me in a warm towel on a heating pad. I shivered a little, but the pain was gone. They had removed the string, along with three inches of damaged intestine, and  stitched up my abdomen.”

Percy the kitten’s experience is, unfortunately, a common one. Home should be a safe haven for pets, but many household items—a string toy in Percy’s case—pose serious dangers. Whether you have a curious new kitten or an aging senior pet, Bayside Animal Hospital urges you to prevent pet problems and emergencies. Read on for Percy’s recommendations, learned from experience, for pet-proofing your home.

A fun fact: Your pet’s heart beats approximately 35 million times per year. With each heartbeat, your pet’s hard-working heart pumps oxygenated blood to each of their cells, from nose to tail.

A not-so-fun fact: Approximately 10% of dogs, and 15% of cats, have heart disease. Since every part of your pet’s body depends on oxygen, heart disease can have serious, far-reaching systemic effects. To increase your knowledge of heart disease in pets, our Bayside Animal Hospital team shares other facts.