While skunks are generally docile creatures, they do have a very potent method of fending off people or animals who bother them. Unfortunately, some dogs don’t get the hint soon enough and become the target of a skunk’s spray. That’s why the  ASPCA Poison Control Center (APCC) wants to offer the following tips and advice for dealing with a dog who has been “skunked.”

Signs and Symptoms

If your dog has been sprayed by a skunk, the first thing you notice will likely be the smell. However, there are several other symptoms or problems your pet may exhibit if sprayed by a skunk:

• Drooling
• Vomiting
• Red and/or swollen eyes
• Rolling
• Face rubbing
• Sneezing
• Temporary blindness

These signs are typically seen immediately or within a couple of hours of your pet being sprayed. Symptoms like lethargy, weakness, change in urine color and pale or brown gums may take up to a few hours or even days to appear. These symptoms are rarer, but if they appear, you should take your pet to a veterinarian right away. The compounds in skunk spray are irritating and in some cases can result in damage to a dog’s red blood cells, potentially leading to anemia.

Steps to Take

What should you do if your pet has been sprayed by a skunk? The first order of business should be a bath—but regular shampoo is not going to cut it! Create a mixture out of the following ingredients:

• 1 quart (4 cups) of 3% fresh hydrogen peroxide
• ¼ cup baking soda
• 1-2 teaspoons of liquid soap (dishwashing detergent)

Lather your pet in this mixture and wait five minutes, then rinse with copious amounts of water. Repeat if necessary. It is possible this may bleach your pet’s hair, but it is not toxic to their skin. Note that this mixture doesn’t store well, so you will need to make a fresh batch if your pet gets sprayed again.

If your pet’s eyes seem to be affected, rinsing them with copious amounts of tepid water for 20 minutes may relieve some discomfort.

Prevention Is Key

No one wants their pet to be sprayed by a skunk. Fortunately, there are many things you can do to discourage skunks from coming near your home:

• Make sure there is no easy access to pet food or bird seed. Use well-sealed containers and latched lids when necessary.
• Remove or prevent access to wood piles and areas underneath decks and houses, where skunks like to den.
• Invest in motion-activated lights or sprinklers, as skunks do not like light or noise.
• Sprinkle kitty litter in front of a suspected den or hole, or stuff paper, leaves or straw into the hole to let the skunks know that it is not a good place for them.

In the United States, skunks can be carriers of rabies. If you suspect your pet has been bitten by a skunk, it is best to contact a veterinarian right away.

The APCC is your best resource for any animal poison-related emergency—24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If you think that your pet may have ingested a potentially poisonous substance, call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 immediately.

Source:  ASPCA.org

Anyone outdoors is exposed to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays, even on cloudy days. UV rays are a part of sunlight that is an invisible form of radiation. There are three types of UV rays. UVA is believed to damage connective tissue and increase the risk for developing skin cancer.  UVB penetrates less deeply into the skin, but can still cause some types of skin cancer. Natural UVC is absorbed by the atmosphere and does not pose a risk.

Sunburn

Sunburn is not immediately apparent. Symptoms usually start about 4 hours after sun exposure, worsen in 24–36 hours, and resolve in 3–5 days. They include red, tender and swollen skin, blistering, headache, fever, nausea and fatigue. In addition to the skin, eyes can become sunburned. Sunburned eyes become red, dry, painful, and feel gritty. Chronic eye exposure can cause permanent damage, including blindness.

First Aid

• Take aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen to relieve pain, headache and fever.
• Drink plenty of water to help replace fluid losses.
• Comfort burns with cool baths or the gentle application of cool wet cloths.
• Avoid further exposure until the burn has resolved.
• Use of a topical moisturizing cream, aloe, or 1% hydrocortisone cream may provide additional relief.

If blistering occurs:

• Lightly bandage or cover the area with gauze to prevent infection.
• Do not break blisters. (This slows healing and increases risk of infection.)
• When the blisters break and the skin peels, dried skin fragments may be removed and an antiseptic ointment or hydrocortisone cream may be applied.

Seek medical attention if any of the following occur:

• Severe sunburns covering more than 15% of the body
• Dehydration
• High fever (>101 °F)
• Extreme pain that persists for longer than 48 hours

Source:  Department of Health and Human Services

With more time to play outside, sunbathe and run through sprinklers, it’s no wonder our pets love warm weather. But with summer approaching, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) wants to inform you about some of the most common hazards they handle every year. To protect your pets this season, keep an eye out for these five warm weather dangers.

• Insect Stings and Bites: Our pets are curious and want to explore everything they can, but unfortunately they don’t always realize that bugs, bees, ants and other critters are best left alone! In some cases, you may not see the sting or bite occur, but you will see the results: a yelp or a cry, followed by swollen eyes and muzzle. To prevent bites from occurring, scout your yard for areas of trouble like ant hills, beehives and wasps nests and treat them now. Have your pet avoid those areas, and always keep an eye on what they’re doing outside.
• Yard Products: Lush green grass is a fun place to play, but some healthy lawns are full of chemicals like weed killers, pest control products and fertilizers. While small exposures to these things are typically tolerable, larger amounts can be quite dangerous. It is best to keep your pet inside until the product is dry or watered in, and always make sure that pets do not have access to the product’s container.
• Pool Chemicals: A nice cool dip in the pool is great on a hot day, and many dogs would love to jump in, too. If you’re planning to invite your pup into the pool, make sure he knows how to swim, first! In addition, keep all pets away from sheds or garages where pool chemicals are stored—chlorine ingestion is a surefire way to ruin your day.
• Flea Products: Fleas love summer just as much as we do—not only is it warm enough to thrive, but there are plenty of dogs and cats outside to feast on. While flea products are generally safe, it is important to be familiar with the product you are using. It is also of the utmost importance to use the product according to the label, as most issues with flea products occur when they are used inappropriately. Whatever you do, do not mix up dog and cat flea products. The label is serious!
• Plants: There are so many pretty flowers and plants to see in the summer, and dogs and cats are often inclined to find out how they taste! Make sure you know the types of plants in your yard and home, and find out which ones could be an issue for your pet. While many plants don’t cause serious problems, it is vital to know if your pet has access to one that does.

Our friends at the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center want to wish you a happy, healthy and safe summer season.

APCC is your best resource for any animal poison-related emergency—24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If you think that your pet may have ingested a potentially poisonous substance, call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 immediately.

Downed utility lines, power company blackouts, heavy snow falls or summer storms can all lead to power outages. Many people turn to a portable generator for a temporary solution without knowing the risks.

Source: www.nfpa.org/education