Dogs and spring: Some advices
Spring is here and it's time to speak about some dangers that dogs can face during this fine season. Here we tell dog owners about the spring fatigue, tick season, change of coat, etc.
Spring time is also a hair shadding season
Dogs shed hair in spring and autumn. This process usually takes six to seven weeks. Too long changing of coat can indicate of a lack of nutrients. In this case, the dog owner should consult a vet and draw attention to feeding that should meet needs of the pet. Amstaff's hair shedding is more intensive in spring, because the winter hair is stiffer. Regular grooming is very important for the dogs, especially during hair shadding.
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Warning: ticks are active again
The temperature rises and ticks are active again. The parasites are usually found near water, in damp and shady places, meadows and in the undergrowth of forests. Dog owners should protect themselves and their animals from serious pathogens, which are transmitted by ticks. The protection includes antiparasitic agents for dogs that are available by every vet. Besides, the owner should to examine the Staffordshire Bull Terrier thoroughly after every walk. If the pet caught even one tick, the owner must remove it completely as soon as possible with tick tweezers by a slight rotation or please a vet to do this.
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The sleep-inducing hormone melatonin is responsible for the spring fatigue; its content is particularly high in winter. The hormone secretion reduces in spring and production of the happiness hormone serotonin increases by sun rays. Dogs like humans are suffer from the spring fatigue in this phase. To overcome that long walks are helpful that stimulate the circulation and increase thereby the metabolism.
Get rid of the winter fat and aspire to the spring figure
Winter overweight isn't uncommon for the Staffy. The reasons of overweight are the lack of strain and a high energy input, because of ignorance about the right amount of food needed by the dog and too much treats in between times. However, the consequences of the dog obesity may not be underestimated. The Bull Terrier with overweight has an increased risk for joint and cardiovascular problems, its life expectancy decreases and the pet suffer from tumours or diabetes mellitus oftener. To lose weight healthy dogs require inter alia a low-calorie diet with a plan that should be monitored weekly.
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Beware of poisonous plants in the garden
Many people grow early bloomers like lilies, daffodils or tulips in their gardens without being unaware that these may be toxic for the American Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Also, ivy, hyacinths, delphinium, rhododendron and oleander are poisonous plants for the dogs. If your Staffy shows symptoms of plant poisoning, such as abdominal cramps, irritations of the mucosal tunics, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive salivation and tachypnoe you must consult a veterinarian immediately.
Pollen allergies are frequently occur by the dogs. Symptoms are following: itch, skin eruption and pimples, taking a bite of paws and body, conjunctivitis and airways mucous membrane oedema, which at worst can lead to asphyxia. If there are suspicions about a pollen allergy the blood test must be done and the vet must examine dog's skin. Then, the vet can prescribe an appropriate medication, immunotherapy. It would be helpful to wipe your Amstaff after every walk with a wet towel and to keep an allergy diary for the pet during the pollen season.
Warning against stings
When there are more insects again in the spring, dog owners should not let their Amstaffs out of view outdoors. Since stings in the throat can lead to life-threatening swelling of the airways, the owner should prevent that his/her Staffy catches insects. If the Staffy is stung, the sting should be cooled with a pleasantly cool wet towel. If the Bull Terrier suffers from asphyxia or the sting swells very much, the veterinarian must immediately examine the animal.
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Please consider: brood season
The brood season of many birds begins in the spring. Therefore, the dog owners should be especially attentive walking with their Bull Terriers on all fields, meadows and lawns. In some places it is even required to hold the Bull Terrier on a leash. Violations are punishable by fines.
Weeds and fertilizers that are good for plants at the same time stay harmful for dogs and the overdose of pesticides can be fatal at worst. Therefore, fertilizers and weed remedies must be kept out beyond the reach of your Staffy and the pet should not run on the grass for some time after fertilizing. If your Staffy has any symptoms of poisoning (vomiting, cramps or diarrhoea with blood), you must consult the veterinarian immediately.
Many dogs love the water and can swim when it gets warm again. There are some things to be considered. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier, which has joint problems may not stay too long in the water, because hypothermia can worsen the symptoms. In addition, never throw sticks into the water, as this can result in injury. And throwing of balls can cause struggle for the prey when several dogs play nearby. The dog owner must be very attentive walking with the Staffordshire Bull Terrier in order not to disturb birds in their brood season.
We wish you a great spring season with your Staffy!
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