Contributed by Veterinary Emergency Group
With the weather warming up many Cos Cob pet parents are taking hikes with their dogs. It’s an excellent way for local pet parents to bond with their dogs while enjoying some exercise together, but it’s important to be aware of the safety risks:
- Bites and Scratches from Other Animals – Most trails will require dogs to be leashed, but if you are in an off-leash area it is important that your dog has a reliable recall so you can be sure they will return to you if there is another animal in the area.
- Heatstroke Let your dog rest in the shade often and provide plenty of clean cool water for both of you. Avoid going on dog hiking trips during the middle of the day when it is hottest outside.
- Falls and Other Acute Injuries – Map out your trail ahead of time so you know where you’re going, and do not stray from the marked paths. Don’t let your dog off-leash in areas with steep falls, cliffs, or very overly rocky terrain, and be prepared to leave your hike early if your dog is injured.
- Ticks and Tickborne Illnesses – In some regions, Lyme disease is extremely prominent, and your vet will likely recommend the Lyme disease vaccine for your pet. Be sure to talk to your vet about topical tick preventatives or tick collars that can be used while hiking.Additionally, make sure you check your dog for ticks every evening after you’ve been hiking.
- Exposure to Toxic Plants – Learn how to recognize toxic plants in your hiking location so you can keep your dog away from them—and so you can avoid them, too! In general, all types of mushrooms and berries should be avoided. If you know your dog frequently eats plants they find on hikes, consider altering your plans for your pet’s safety.
- Standing Water – Avoid letting your dog drink from any standing water which can harbor infectious diseases. Best practice is to only allow them to drink water that you bring for them on the hike. You may also want to discuss the leptospirosis vaccine with your veterinarian.
What to do if you know or think your pet is having an emergency?
- If you know or think your pet is having an emergency and your family veterinarian is unavailable, call an emergency vet right away. At Veterinary Emergency Group (VEG), you can speak directly to an emergency veterinarian who will help you with knowing what the next steps are.
- VEG Greenwich is located at 409 E Putnam Ave, Suite 1, Cos Cob, CT 06807
- VEG Greenwich is open 24/7 to help pet parents with emergencies when their family veterinarian is closed. The hospital has an open floor plan that allows pet parents to have freedom of movement from exam room to treatment floor, and they can stay with their pet during all phases of treatment, including surgery and overnight hospitalization.
Established in 2014, Veterinary Emergency Group (VEG) is a company founded on a single mission: helping people and their pets when they need it most. VEG’s rapidly growing group of hospitals has revolutionized the pet emergency experience with a customer-centered approach, rapid response times, and a highly trained emergency-focused staff. VEG currently has 47 hospitals operating in 17 states including California, New York, DC, Virginia, Arizona, New Jersey, Florida, Connecticut, Georgia, Colorado, Texas, Ohio, North Carolina, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Illinois and Pennsylvania.
VEG Greenwich is open for pet emergencies 24/7, even on holidays, 409 E Putnam Ave, Suite 1, Cos Cob, CT 06807.