With the leaves starting to change and the month of October being right around the corner, the end of summer marks another exciting start to the fall season. For us at the Parkdale Animal Hospital, that means a couple of very important things!
FARLEY MONTH
Firstly, we would like to notify all of our wonderful clients that our annual fundraiser for the Farley Foundation has begun! In the reception area of our clinic you can see posters and pamphlets with information about fundraising for “Farley Month” – a time where we raise awareness about the incredible organization that hundreds of veterinary practices across Ontario work alongside.
The Farley Foundation was created by the OVMA (Ontario Veterinary Medical Association) to provide financial assistance for pet owners in need in times of unexpected or emergency medical situations. To this date, the Farley Foundation has assisted over 8,400 people across Ontario with more than $3.5 million towards the medical expenses of injured or sick pets.
Please join us by raising awareness and donating to this great cause! To find out more information about the Farley Foundation please visit www.farleyfoundation.org or come in and speak with us in person. Every donation, no matter how big or small, comes with a Farley Foundation tote bag, with a few goodies on the inside, and donations over $15 are eligible for a tax receipt.
FALL SAFETY TIPS
Thanksgiving and Halloween make for an exceptionally busy start to the Fall season. As the autumn holidays are quickly approaching, we would like to share some helpful tips on how to keep your pets out of trouble through the festivities!
The most common danger that busy holidays impose to household pets is the potential for ingestion of harmful foods! While some delicious human treats may only cause an upset to your pet’s stomach, there are plenty of Thanksgiving and Halloween treats that can end up being toxic and harmful.
- Chocolates (in all forms, the darker the chocolate the more dangerous!) and candies are the most common around Halloween – chocolate can be extremely dangerous if ingested and some candies contain xylitol, a toxic sugar substitute. Candy wrappers can also be hazardous if swallowed. Keep the candy bowls high out of reach of your pets, and in a secured container until they are ready to be eaten (and make sure to let the kids in the house know not to share!)For a more extensive list of additional dangerous household foods at Thanksgiving, please visit the Pet Poison Helpline’s website at: https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/uncategorized/thanksgiving-pet-safety-tips/
2. Be mindful of excess noise and traffic flow in your household during busy events like parties or trick-or-treating – if you have a rescue dog, a dog that isn’t well socialized or is skittish and easily frightened, they may not appreciate visitors as much as you do, especially if those guests are in scary costumes! Separating your pet in a quiet room or crate training can be very useful in these situations, and puts your mind at ease to know that your pet isn’t getting themselves into trouble. Remember to try and ensure that your pet is as comfortable as possible during these hectic times! Having a safe place that is the dog’s own away from everyone can be good for a pet that is anxious or nervous, and can prevent accidental nips, escapes or bad experiences.
3. Although pet costumes are adorable to us, be careful when picking out an outfit for your pet! Always make sure that the costume does not have pieces that could pose a threat for ingestion, or restrict the movement, breathing, or sight of your pet. While some don’t mind playing dress-up, others may become unnecessarily stressed due to the additional weight they might add, or simply the feeling of an unusual garment. And remember to never leave your pet unsupervised with a costume on!
4. If possible, keep decorations off of the floors, and away from of low areas where it could be easy for your pet to get to. Some decorations could pose choking or swallowing hazards, and certain decors like candles could cause more severe injuries.
WHAT TO DO IF YOUR PET IS IN TROUBLE
Contact us immediately if you think that your pet may be sick or injured.
Always have the phone number of the nearest emergency veterinary hospital on hand. If your pet has ingested something that could be potentially toxic, call the Animal Poison Control Centre at (888) 426-4435 immediately. They are open 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, and always have a veterinary toxicologist on staff.
If your pet escapes or becomes lost, there are many ways you can reach out. You can:
- Contact (416) 338-PAWS (7297) or 311 to file a lost animal report with the city of Toronto
- Contact the Toronto Humane Society at (416) 392-2273
- Ask neighbouring vet clinics
If your pet is microchipped and brought into a clinic or shelter with a microchip scanner, the company the microchip is registered to will contact you, provided that your information is up-to-date.
All of our pets at Parkdale Animal Hospital that are vaccinated against Rabies are provided with a tag that is associated with a number specific to that pet. We register the number to your file, and can look up you and your pet’s information with the number. You can also register your information at www.getmehome.ca or by calling 1-866-637-4250
Have a safe Halloween and Thanksgiving season from all of us at Parkdale!