Pet Care Information 
Tel:866-542-3241
BasicFirst Aid
Spring Pet Care Tips 
Summer Pet Care Tips
Fall / Winter Pet Care Tips
When You are Dealing With a Pet Emergency,
it is Important to Stay Calm and Do Not Panic.
- If possible, please call ahead so we can prepare for your arrival.
- Keep the phone number of the Wisconsin Veterinary Referral Center near your phone so you can save time.
- Transport your pet as quickly as possible – be sure to drive safely.
Links
Veterinary Specialty Practice Alliance (VSPA)
http://www.SpecialtyVets.com/
ASPCA – Animal Poison Control Center
http://www.aspca.org
Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society
http://www.veccs.org
VPI Pet Insurance
http://www.petinsurance.com/
CareCredit
http://www.carecredit.com/
American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine
http://www.acvim.org
American College of Veterinary Surgeons
http://www.acvs.org
American College of Veterinary Anesthesiologists
http://www.acva.org
Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association
http://www.wvma.org
American Veterinary Medical Association
http://www.avma.org
American College of Veterinary Radiologists
http://www.acvr.org
Basic First -Aid
Handling:
If your pet is in pain you need to be very careful handling them. Dogs may require muzzling, provided they are not having difficulty breathing. A belt, rope or soft strip of material may be used as a makeshift muzzle.
Cats may need to be handled with gloves, or wrapped in a towel to prevent injuries to yourself.
Larger dogs that can’t walk can be transported safely by gently rolling them onto a blanket or tarp and carried by two people like a sling.
Remain calm and speak reassuringly to your pet.
Medication:
Never attempt to help your pet by giving human medications such as aspirin or tylenol, unless directed by your veterinarian.
Tylenol (acetaminophen) is very toxic to cats, and aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen can cause stomach ulcers and kidney problems in pets.
If you suspect that your pet has ingested something toxic, be sure to bring the original container for identification.
Bleeding:
Apply direct pressure with a clean cloth. Do not remove the cloth to check for stoppage. If the cloth becomes soaked, place more padding on top of the original.
Heatstroke:
Move your pet into the shade or indoors, and hose them down with cool water. Then place towels soaked with cold water over your pet, and ice packs in the armpits, along the belly, or between the legs. Check the temperature rectally often to avoid hypothermia.
Fractures:
Restrict movement. You may wrap or splint the limb with a few sheets of newspaper and duct tape, and cover any open wounds with a clean cloth.
Suspected poison ingestion:
Bring the container/label of the poison you suspect or know your pet ingested to your vet. Check with your veterinarian before inducing vomiting.
Eye trauma:
Prevent further trauma by stopping your pet from pawing at or rubbing the eye. If you have an E-collar, place it around your pet’s neck. If the eye is protruding from the socket, place a moist clean cloth over the eye.
For all emergencies, always seek veterinary assistance immediately.
Fall & Winter Pet Care Tips
Halloween Hazards
Halloween candy is not good for your pets - especially chocolate. Keep cats inside to avoid tricksters and possible encounters with cars. Make sure that dogs are kept indoors and so they can’t sneak out when the trick-or-treaters come to the door. Pets can also get confused and frightened by the costumes.
Pet Safety Tips for Halloween
The Wisconsin Veterinary Referral Center offers these common-sense cautions to keep your pets safe and sound during this time of the year:
All but the most social dogs and cats should be kept in a separate room during peak trick-or-treat visiting hours. Too many strangers in unusual garb can be scary and stressful for pets.
When opening the door for trick-or-treaters, take care that your pet doesn't dart outside. Make sure all your pets are wearing current identification, just in case.
No tricks or treats: Keep all Halloween candy out of your pet's reach. Chocolate can be toxic to animals, and tinfoil and cellophane candy wrappers can be hazardous if swallowed.
It's not a bright idea to keep lit pumpkins around companion animals. Pets can knock them over, and curious kittens especially run the risk of being burned.
Don't leave your pet in the yard on Halloween. There have been reports of vicious pranksters who have teased, injured, stolen and even killed pets on this night.
Don't dress up your dog or cat unless you know he or she loves it. If you decide to do so, make sure the costume isn't annoying or unsafe, and doesn't restrict his or her movement, vision, hearing or ability to breathe or bark. Avoid costumes with small or dangling accessories that he or she could chew off and possibly choke on. Make sure an adult supervises pets in costume at all times.
Fan Belt Injuries
Cats and kittens like to nap on warm places, and this can include warm car engines! Before starting the engine on those cold mornings, knock on the hood of your vehicle or honk the horn, then wait a few minutes. If in doubt, open the hood and look.
Anti-freeze Toxicity
Anti-freeze smells good and tastes very sweet, Very small amounts can kill your pet. If a cat walks through it and then licks its paws, it will get enough. The damage is done by chemicals crystallizing in the kidney, so symptoms may not show up for a few days and then it may be too late. Thoroughly clean up any spills, store antifreeze in tightly closed containers and store where pets and children can't get to them. Sierra makes a non toxic antifreeze. Do not dispose of antifreeze by pouring into the gutter.
Urinary Blockage
Be sure to monitor your male cat’s urine production. It is common for them to form a urinary blockage by forming small stones or crystals that block the flow of urine from the bladder through the urethra.
Any cat that seems to be straining "to go to the bathroom" should be checked by a veterinarian at once.
One of the more common complaints that we hear can be that the owner thought the cat was constipated, when in fact it had a life-threatening urinary blockage.
Holiday Treats
Holiday food such as alcoholic beverages, candy, chocolate, turkey and fixings, fatty foods, bones, just to name a few hazards can be dangerous to pets. Keep your pet on its regular diet, as the rich foods that are available around the holidays, can make your pet very seriously ill.
Another food related hazard is the plastic six-pack beverage holders, Kittens especially can become entangled in them. Cut them up before putting into the garbage. This will also help the wildlife at the landfill too.
Toxic Plants
Poisonous plants--Many plants, including Christmas rose, holly, mistletoe, philodendron, dieffenbachia are toxic to your pet. Keep them out of your pets reach.
Holiday Decorations
Holiday paraphernalia- Electric cords, tinsel, glass ornaments, candles, spray on-snow (some are non-toxic-read the label), ribbons, plastic or foil wrapping, X-mas tree preservative etc. can be dangerous to your pet.
Cover up or hide electric cords, never let your pet chew on them. Do not tie ribbons around your pet’s necks or limbs. Watch out for rubber bands too.
Cold Weather Maintenance Tips
Most dogs and cats shed their summer coats in the fall before putting on their winter coat. Special attention should be paid to hair coats and a daily or weekly brushing (as needed) should help your pet maintain a tangle-free and healthy coat.
Indoor pets should be provided with a warm, dry area free from drafts. Provide bedding to protect against cold floors, and wash bedding weekly if possible to keep flea infestations at bay.
Outdoor pets should have dry shelter out of the wind. Bring cats and dogs into the house if the weather conditions are rainy, snowy or weather conditions are severe (cold, etc).
Always provide fresh, clean water for your pet. If the weather is cold, please check their water for ice formation and remove the ice.
Staying warm requires extra calories, so pets may need more food or a change in diet. Talk to your veterinarian about your pets needs.
Remove ice, salt, mud, snow from your pet’s coats and feet as soon as possible. If the skin looks reddish, white or grey in cold weather, may be scaly or peeling, suspect frostbite if the weather has been really cold. Talk to your veterinarian immediately.
Summer Pet Care Tips
Take Precautions
Summer is a time for both you and your pet to enjoy the sunshine and outdoors, but along with the fun, the season also offers up situations that can endanger your pet. By taking precautions, you can decrease the chance that disaster will happen. The Wisconsin Veterinary Referral Center offers these tips for pet owners to keep their furry friends safe this summer.
Parked Cars
In summer, animals left in parked cars suffer brain damage and die from heatstroke. On a warm day, even with the windows cracked, the temperature in a car can reach 120 degrees in a matter of minutes. Dogs and cats can't perspire and can only dispel heat by panting and through the pads of their feet.
Pick-up Trucks
It is very dangerous, and in some states illegal, to drive with a dog in the back of a pick-up truck. Not only can flying debris cause serious injury, but a dog may be unintentionally thrown into traffic if the driver suddenly hits the brakes, swerves, or is hit by another car. Dogs should ride either in the cab (in a crate or wearing a seat belt harness designed for dogs) or in a secured crate in the bed of the truck.
Dog Bites
Dog bites rise during the summer months when people and their pets spend more time outside. Spaying or neutering your dog reduces the likelihood that he will bite and provides many other health benefits.
Collars / IDs
Make sure your pet is always wearing a collar and identification tag. If you are separated from your pet, an ID tag may very well be his or her ticket home.
Heartworms
Check with your veterinarian to see if your pets should be taking heartworm prevention medication. Heartworm disease, which is transmitted by mosquitoes, can be fatal in both dogs and cats.
Pools
Pets and pools can equal disaster. Prevent free access to pools and always supervise a pet in a pool.
Travel
If you plan on traveling with your pet during the summer, take the time to prepare for your furry friends in advance. Many airlines have summer pet embargoes, and most trains and ships do not allow pets other than service animals.
Excercise
Pets need exercise even when it is hot, but extra care needs to be taken with older dogs, short-nosed dogs, and those with thick coats. On very hot days, limit exercise to early morning or evening hours. Keep in mind that asphalt gets very hot and can burn your pet's paws.
Fleas & Ticks
Another summertime threat is fleas and ticks. Use only flea and tick treatments recommended by your veterinarian. Some over-the-counter flea and tick products can be toxic, even when used according to instructions.
Sunburn
Pets can get sunburned too, and your pet may require sunscreen on his or her nose and ear tips. Pets with light-colored noses or light-colored fur on their ears are particularly vulnerable to sunburn and skin cancer.
Lawn Fertilizer
Summer is often a time when people fertilize their lawns and work in their gardens. But beware: plant food, fertilizer, and insecticides can be fatal if your pet ingests them.
Keep Cool
Provide plenty of water and shade for your pets while they're enjoying the great outdoors so they can stay cool.
Noises & Crowds
Don't take your pets to crowded summer events such as concerts or fairs. The loud noises and crowds, combined with the heat, can be stressful and dangerous for pets. For your pet's well being, leave your pet at home. Be especially aware of these threats during holidays, such as the Fourth of July.
Spring Pet Care Tips
Fertilizers
The same products that produce healthy lawns can sometimes cause health problems for pets. Contact with herbicides can cause vomiting, excess salivation, problems with the central nervous system, and even sudden death.
Lawn Treatments
Before applying lawn treatments or before treatment by a professional lawn service, remove any pet water and food dishes from the yard. Always keep your pets inside while chemicals are being applied and keep them off the treated grass for at least 24 hours after an application. If your dog manages to come in contact with a freshly treated lawn in spite of your best efforts, wash it's paws with soap and water immediately.
Pesticides
Chemical pesticides are applied as tree sprays, garden dusts, foggers, and in a variety of fruit and vegetable sprays. Keep pets away from the area under and around freshly sprayed trees for at least 24 hours. Keep them out of gardens and flowerbeds after applying pesticide sprays or dusts.
Slug and Snail Killing Pellets
Never scatter slug and snail killer pellets in gardens or flower beds if you have pets, or if neighborhood pets have access to your yard. Dogs find the small blue poisonous slug pellets tasty. Instead, use a commercial bait trap or pellet holder that is out of reach to pets.
Rodenticides
These poisons come in cardboard containers filled with poisonous pellets. Rodent poisons may not cause vomiting or other typical symptoms of poisoning. They contain a compound that causes a life-threatening bleeding disorder, and can cause death within a few days.
Cocoa Mulch
Cocoa Mulch is made from cocoa bean shells. The danger of poisoning from cocoa mulch is the substance theobromine - the same ingredient in chocolate that is toxic to dogs.
Pet owners should never use cocoa bean mulch in their flowerbeds or as garden fertilizer. Even if your dog has absolutely no interest in other types of garden mulch, cocoa mulch smells like chocolate and that smell attracts dogs. Dogs have died from eating cocoa mulch!
Stinging Insects
Some dogs will try to catch bees. When a dog gets stung, it can cause a reaction. Signs of a sting are: scratching/rubbing it's head on the ground, bumps or a swelling around the sting, excessive salivation, or generalized facial swelling.
Some dogs, like some humans, can be allergic to stings. If your dog has a severe reaction, get veterinary treatment immediately.
