Nelson Road Veterinary Clinic

09/25/2025

Most of the clostridium cases we see iin dogs and cats are in specific brands with a high meat content, dried meats and by-product treats., which is the most commmon cause of diarrhea that we now see (90%).
Multiple pathogens found in raw cat foods
Salmonella, cronobacter, pseudomonas, klebsiella, clostridium and E. coli were found in raw and partially cooked foods for cats, and some strains were antibiotic-resistant, presenting risks for cats and cat owners, researchers reported in Communications Biology. Pathogens were found in frozen, freeze-dried and refrigerated products; most had no warnings on their labels; and some salmonella strains genetically matched those associated with human salmonellosis cases. Moreover, DNA analyses found differences between actual and listed ingredients in some products.
Cornell Chronicle (Cornell University)
(9/24)

09/21/2025

Treating Bird Mites and Lice
We have now the fluralaner product to add to the drinking water to treat for external parasites in chickens and other birds. It has been approved in Europe for a few years and now this Bravecto type product is just available for use in the drinking water and much more effective than anything we have available before.

Treating the Poultry Premises for Bird Mites
Individual pet birds are easier to treat for mites than a flock of poultry or a large habitat containing birds. For individual birds we usually use ivermectin topically or orally. Ivermectin is an extra-label treatment for poultry, and the poultry drug and egg withdrawal times are much longer than the meat and milk withdrawal times on the label for livestock. We have a separate handout on the 2 month meat and egg withdrawal for ivermectin in chickens. The labeled pyrethrin based products to treat lice in poultry will do an adequate job AND we usually recommend this Permectrin II product as it has no egg withdrawal and can be used as a premise spray. There are other premise treatments available using pyrethroids (carbaryl/Sevin) or organophosphate products (tetraclorvinphos) and some of these products come as a dust to place on the chicken yet the Permectrin II product or ivermectin is superior. You will see diatomaceous earth being sold to treat for internal and external parasites and if you read the label carefully this product can cause severe pneumonia problems in all animals and birds. Since it uses the label term “aid in the… of” it is not a regulated/tested product like those mentioned above for efficacy or safety. The common mites that we see are emphasized below. The use of pet products such as Frontline and Revolution will result is a permanent lifetime ban of eggs and meat from the poultry that were treated.
The feather mites (Syringophilus) and the depluming mites (Neocnimidocoptes) live on the birds, and thus the treatment is to apply a topical powder, spray or a systemic product depending upon the species of birds. The feather and quill mite of ratites (Gabuninia) is a different species for which we have a separate handout.
Scaly leg mites (Knemidokoptes/Cnemidocoptes) affect the feet and sometimes the beak of birds; they are more common in pet birds such as parakeets. We have a separate handout for this mite.
The common Northern Fowl mite (Tropical Fowl Mite, Ornithonyssus) usually hangs out around the cloacal (a**s) of the bird. Lice are not mites, yet they are treated similar to mites that live and repeat their live cycle on the bird. For small flocks some birds can be dipped in the diluted insecticide spray solution, if meat and egg withdrawal times are a concern. Using linseed or any other oil on the legs of a bird with Knemidokoptes is an older method that we do not recommend as it does not work as well as the systemic products. Oily products and petroleum products should never be placed on the feathers of a bird as their body temperature can drop and dangerously affect the bird.
The Chicken Mite (Red Roost Mite, Dermanyssus) lives off the bird and obtains their blood meal during the night; these are the little mites you will find at the edge of the perches and in the cracks. Near dusk the mites will appear brown, yet in the early morning they may look a little reddish after their blood meal during the night. The premises must be treated along with the birds. Diatomaceous earth does not work to treat for miles or lice, and our deworming handout also mentions this is an ineffective product.
Poultry chiggers (Neoshogastia) are different than the chiggers which affect people; they are treated the same is the chicken mite. Litter beetles (Darkling beetle, Alphibobius) are 1/4" long beetles in which the birds may eat (and these mites may in turn chew on birds) and thus they can transmit diseases such as cecal & tapeworms, coccidia, botulism, salmonella, fowl pox, Avian Influenza, New Castle's disease and maybe even Marek's disease. Chiggers and beetles require the premises to be treated; whenever we treat the premises we usually will also recommend treating the birds if it practically can be done. On a necropsy the poultry air sac mite (Cytodites) may be diagnosed; this is a different species than the canary or finch air sac mite (Sternastoma). Only systemic treatments will work on air sac mites; the older Vapona type of fly handing strips are not as effective.
There are also other red mites which live off the bird and can affect poultry. Human bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) are very, very rare yet can appear in poultry facilities. Some pyrethroids are not very affective towards this mite due to a resistance problem; if used Cyfluthrin is a 5th generation pyrethrin. Ivermectin only has some resistance yet this topical dewormer and Permectrin II should be attempted first as they are insecticides approved for food animals. Permectrin II has no egg withdrawal time. Heating the premises to 140 degrees F can be attempted, but is usually impractical and/or can cause a hen house fire. The EPA has a good site for human bed bugs and has good ideas for bedding such as a hot water wash at 120F, using medium-high dryers setting for 10-20 minutes, etc. Fluralaner (Bravecto) has been shown to have effectiveness yet this product would require as www.FARAD.org application which may result in a permanent egg and meat ban at this time. A less effect than ivermectin is a natural alternative is to use kidney bean leaves in the litter of the birds with bed bugs; these leaves have small hairs (10mm by 50-100 mm) that can trap and catch bed bugs. Bed bugs are a species of lice. (As FYI raw and undercooked red kidney beans are toxic). At times there are bat bugs, Cimex, that will look almost exactly like a bed bug and are also blood sucking, yet these do not prefer humans at all.
Gnats and other insects, flies can affect poultry. Avian Pox is one of the diseases transmitted by biting insects. We may also find oribatid, harvest and grain mites in a poultry house and these are not a poultry problem; we do have another handout on miscellaneous non-pathogenic mites that we see in animals.
Fluralaner (Exzolt) is a water based insecticide that will treat chicken red mites. It has no egg withdrawal and 11 day meat withdrawal times. For a small flock that we have diagnosed mites we recommend getting them used to eating crackers and then place the oral medicine on the cracker keeping track of who was treated, or it is labeled for in the water using enough water that they will all drink in 8 hours (up to 24 hours).

NelsonRoadVet.com

FARAD provides FREE scientific-based services to veterinary practitioners that assist in the prevention of drug residues in animal-derived human foods.

08/31/2025

Benefits of Living With Pets

The Mayo Clinic cancer specialist, Dr. Edward Creadan, has noted that “seniors with pets have 21 percent fewer physician visits, lower blood pressure and better coping skills“.

08/21/2025

proceeds to go for 1st time student scholarship at the local Front Range Community College

Mark your calendars to join in the fun on Saturday, September 6 at the Chile Roast Fest! Advance sales as well as during the event help us raise funds for first generation scholarships to Front Range Community College.

08/19/2025

WANT TO HELP FUND A
1ST GENERATION SCHOLARSHIP AT
FRONT RANGE COMMUNITY COLLEGE?

ON SATURDAY 9/6/2025 THE ANNUAL GREEN CHILE FEST WILL BE HAPPENING IN THE BEER GARDEN AT LEFT HAND BREWERY IN LONGMONT

You can watch and purchase fresh roasted green chiles (mild, medium, hot, Hatch & Pueblo)

1/8 to 1 bushel of fresh roasted chiles, or 1 # bags of mild, medium or frozen chiles
Red Pork Tamales
Green Chile-Cheese Tamales
Green Chile Tamales
Empanadas (vanilla/custard)

For more information or to order on-line to pick up that day go to TwinPeaksRotary.org

07/27/2025

West Nile Virus, Boulder County
The West Nile Virus is again in our area

For 20+ years we have periodically had West Nile Virus outbreaks in our area and it will be a continual concern for humans and horses if and when there is an outbreak, especially the very young, the very old and those with immunity problems. Our county has had a West Nile case already this month. West Nile causes encephalomyelitis, a medical term for an infection or irritation of the brain and spinal cord. In horses the signs of encephalitis usually starts as a patient not eating, a moderate increase in body temperature and not feeling well as if they have a type of flu. The infection may progress to show neurological signs such as being down, not being able to walk and/or a atypical lameness. If your horse was vaccinated this year there is no major concern unless the patient has equine Cushing’s or other sickness concerns. Horses over 20 years of age especially need to have a vaccine given this year and/or a 2nd booster vaccine for foals under 1 year of age.
Over 213 species of birds have now found to be affected from the virus yet most of these birds do not usually show any signs being infected. Many of these birds are then are the carrier source of the virus by a mosquito transmission. Even though a few possible cat, dog, cattle or even reptile cases have been identified over the years the infection is limited to infect animals such as humans, horses, maybe shorn alpacas and a few species of birds. There are 30 species of animals which have been shown to have had a West Nile infection. It is the crow family (Corvid), magpies and blue jays have a high percentage of deaths form the West Nile disease and you may see some of these birds dead. Poultry are not affected yet if your chickens are dying this may be from HPAI virus that is in our area. The raptor (eagles and hawks), grouse family of birds, alligators, bats, cats, chipmunks, dogs, domestic rabbits and skunks also are susceptible to West Nile virus. Most species of animals can be found to have been exposed to the virus and yet they do not have problems. The treatment for any species of viral encephalitis is the same = supportive therapy.
Susceptible species of animals should have a biting insect control program in place. For biting flies in horses and livestock we have a cost effective pour on, which also has a sprayer to help prevent the gnat dermatitis seen on the back legs of a horse, in addition to the other biting fly problems. The sprays used daily are not as effective as these pour-on products which are similar to the once-a month flea/tick pet products that replaced the daily sprays and powder years ago used in pets. We recommend these systemic pour on products every 2 weeks in horses if there is a problem or concern. If you have a lot of mosquitoes were recommend the Burgess portable propane fogger or similar fogger available from Ace Hardware or Budget Home Supply center. We recommend fogging very early in the morning before the bees are out of their hives and/or in the late evening when the bees are back into their hives. These foggers use only pyrethins as their insecticide. As FYI these products are not the nicotinic insecticides which affect the bees (The nicotinic product sprays contain acetamiprid, clothianidin, cycloxaprid, imidacloprid, nitenpyram, nithiazine, thiacloprid or thiamethoxam.
It is unfortunate that the natural products do not work very well for biting insects on animals. For standing water the Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis bacteria do help and are recommended and it will not hurt livestock to place BT in the stock tank water. Although DEET is a great product for humans it should be noted that DEET, eucalyptus and other essential oil products can be toxic to pets. For the 7.4% pour-on products for horses, or a lower concentration for alpacas, you can call the clinic and we can leave out for after-hours pick up at your convenience. For currently active clients we can also leave out West Nile Vaccines.
For currently active clients we can leave out for 24/7 pick up West Nile vaccines and/or WN+EWT, or WN+EWT+Rhino vaccines besides the pour on. We also have for < $10 the concentrated fly spray that make ups 16+ gallons of fly spray comparable to the commercially sold product, yet these need to be applied twice a day and the pour-on is a superior product.

Veterinarian Longmont, Colorado | Small and large animals | Dogs, cats, livestock, exotics | Preventative care, dentistry, surgery, acupuncture, ultrasound, in-house laboratory, pharmacy, farm calls, pet boarding.

07/07/2025

HEAT STOKE AND HEAT STRESS

Heat stress causes heat stroke. When the heat index reaches over 105 animals and people it can cause exhaustion, cramps, heat and sunstroke. If the air temperature is 85 degrees and the humidity is 80%, the heat index will be 99. Raising the air temperature 10 degrees F. will result in the heat index climbing to 113. A heat index over 130 is a very dangerous situation. In a closed car with an outside temperature of 72 degrees F, the temperature inside can rise 40 degrees F higher within an hour.
Pigs and dogs are very sensitive to heat because they do not sweat as much as other animals. Livestock in areas where heat stroke is possible should always have access to water and shelter from the sun. Dogs which have reduced nasal airway capacity, medically called brachycelphalic (i.e. bulldog type breeds), hypothyroid dogs, obese and older patients have more problems tolerating the heat. The brachycephalic airway obstructive syndrome is more common in the English bulldogs, pugs and Boston terriers; these dogs have stenotic nares, elongated soft palates, everted laryngeal saccules and/or everted tonsils. Should you ever take the temperature of an animal, and it is over 106 degrees then first start pouring water on this patient, before calling the veterinarian. Any patient with a temperature of 107 degrees should have alcohol sprayed or lightly poured over their body, if possible; this is the magic temperature that heat stroke is starting to occur, damage to tissues can possibly occur and medical treatment is needed. Alcohol evaporates much quicker and removes heat faster than water. Once you have run out of isopropyl alcohol, or even ethyl alcohol over 40 proof (i.e. vodka), then start using water. Cool down a hot animal until they are 103 degrees F re**al temperature, and then reduce the amount of water or alcohol rinses in order to not drop the body's temperature to below normal. If one cools down an animal too quickly and to a below normal temperature you may cause the patient to go into shock and thus we do not recommend ice water baths. Ice and ice packs are ok if you do not have any water available. After the initial wetting down/alcohol application use the air conditioner in the car on your wat to taking the patient into the veterinarian. We realize that water is usually quicker to find and start using than to wait until someone can run to the nearest store for rubbing alcohol. It should be noted that sheep and goats can normally have a temperature of 104 degrees during the day in summer, and birds can normally have a re**al temperature of 103-108 degrees. Birds and any other animals should be misted with a spray of water if they are showing signs of heat, such as spread out wings in a bird. Cattle that have been on fescue grass can easily develop heat stroke, due to a mold causing the body to not regulate its temperature very well. There are many other causes for a patient to have a high temperature, which can range from systemic infections to toxins to other poisonings affecting the body. We recommend blood tests with heat stroke patients for many reasons. Hypoglycemia, seizures, malignant hyperthermia, exercise induced collapse and other underlying problems can present as a recumbent patient with hyperthermia, especially in hot weather. A dog with malignant hyperthermia is rigid, while an exercise induced collapse in Labrador retrievers will have a flaccid muscle, and yet a similar Collie Collapse disorder has all 4 legs as stiffness. In livestock there are other medical conditions to consider such as anhidrosis in horses to fescue grass issues with cattle.
If any animal is in the hot weather, appears to have rigid muscles, an increased respiratory rate, salivation, an outstretched neck and/or weakness you should make an attempt to reduce the core temperature of the animal until veterinary care can arrive and/or you can transport. If under 104 degrees F. the animal should be placed in the shade and watered down. Giving too much water to drink at once can cause problems, especially in pigs. If the body temperature is greater than 105 degrees, a call to the veterinarian is indicated. Animals with a body temperature of 106 degrees Fahrenheit or greater should be examined as they can have a total body break down called disseminated intravascular coagulation occur later on. Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC) can then cause a brain problem; many strokes and shock can usually be prevented with an exam, tests and medicines before the collapse occurs. If the clotting factors are low and/or if the animal has had a serve hyperthermia there is an IV treatment with plasma which is indicated if available. With initial treatment some animals may even require a cold water e***a, while other species such as horses and pigs we do not give routinely give e***as to.
IV fluids and medicines are usually needed for animals that have a temperature over 106-107 and appear distressed; each species is treated differently. If in doubt with small animals we will recommend hospitalization, blood tests and IV fluids to prevent kidney problems and DIC from occurring. In many species from birds to pigs if there is dehydration then a hypernataremia (salt toxicity) can occur, along with a secondary acidosis and other problems. There are other causes for hyperthermia for which we have a handout for. Heat stroke and dehydration have similar signs as water toxicity which is seen mostly in humans and a low sodium level is seen on blood tests.
A pulse rate over 65 indicates a problem if horses are undergoing possible heat stress. Rectally take the temperature of all animals if you feel they may be sick and/or hot. Because of the design of an animal’s ear, the ear thermometers are not as accurate (but better than nothing if you do not have any re**al or oral thermometer to use re**ally). Shock, intestinal shut down, muscle weakness and other signs indicate a possible heat stroke. Once the animal has been watered down then call the veterinarian, as there are drugs which may be indicated.
If the heat index is over 120 your horse should be cooled down if he appears hot. When watering a horse wipe the water off your horse if possible, as this is more effective than just spraying the horse. A small amount of water left against the skin can cause the cooler water to run off the patient before the water can cool him down; this minor loss of efficiency is probably only important in a down animal. Ensure you do not develop heat stroke by going out and preventatively treating your horse if he looks okay. A horse in the summer can easily require 5-6 gallons of water a day, and he needs at least this much more if he is undergoing only a few hours of endurance. Endurance horses should also be provided electrolytes when undergoing trials; the average horse with a brown mineral salt block available does not need daily electrolytes when on pasture or in the barn. In our area we recommend fans and/or the portable misting fans (swamp coolers) if possible, in hot barns on extremely hot days. Any horse that has anhidrosis, or inability to sweat, should be tested for a low thyroid condition.
Dehydration and heat stroke/heat stress go hand in hand. Compared to 70 degrees F livestock will required 2.5x the amount of water at 95 degrees F. Always ensure water is adequate and present twice a day in very hot weather. Stressed and high strung animals do not tolerate heat stress very easily. A good vaccination program, parasite and fly control programs helps to reduce the stress and animal loss during hot weather.
If an animal has been without water you need to SLOWLY rehydrate them, especially if it is a pig. For a pig you give a cup of water per 100 # every 30 minutes or so, as they are very, very sensitive to water deprivation and the concerns if rehydrated too quickly. For a 1000 # livestock this can be a gallon every 1/2 hour. Rehydrating an animal too quickly can cause seizures and death. Within 6 hours the animals should be rehydrated and more can be added at a time for pigs and after 10 gallons in adult livestock they can have water ad lib. We have a separate handout on this “salt toxicity” (lack of water) in pigs.
To help reduce heat stress one should provide shade or shelter if possible. Water sprinklers may help those livestock in confinement; especially with night sprinkling. If you feed less than 1/3 of the ration early in the morning, and 2/3+ near dark this can also help reduce activity during the heat of the day for livestock in confinement; feeding before night also helps reduce internal fermentation heat products within the herbivore's body during the daytime. Switching from a dark colored bedding to a lighter colored bedding or straw also helps somewhat. For non-milking adult livestock and horses feeding only once at night time is adequate. Always have adequate water available, especially if the animal is outside in hot weather. If you have a pig that has been without water for more than a couple hours, only provide a small amount of water (1 to 2 cups/100 # every 30+ minutes to 1 hour) to avoid salt toxicity and seizures. Fans do help to keep animal from overheating by evaporation of any sweat on the patient. A ceiling fan should blow down in the summer (up in the winter if in a closed room). We have more information on large fans, dairy barns, feedlots, etc.. For the range cattle heat shades need to be durable if on pasture (i.e. StrobelShades.com). A Quonset type hut can be used for summer and winter if adequate air flow in the summer, yet plastic and fabric will not hold up. Dairy barn-like awnings are also cost effective in some areas for shade and rain. There are no great products that are portable and will last for shade and to prevent heat stress.
If you are out for a walk and you yourself cannot hold your hand onto the asphalt or pavement for 5 seconds without it being too hot, then you probably should not be walking your dog at this time. Instead of boots consider instead waiting until it is cooler. Blowing a fan over a bowl of water towards a dog can help somewhat and if an evaporative cooler is used 5-15 degrees F the temperature can be reduced.
When one drives with their pet in a car, and the pet is not restrained, on a hot day it is tempting to have the windows down. Even if only the driver’s side is down we see many dogs that jump out of the open window anytime to go chase a squirrel they see, etc. It is true that if the car is sitting you especially want to crack the window, but as with driving not enough to allow an escape. When driving keep the windows up if the pet is not restrained.

www.NelsonRoadVet.com

Veterinarian Longmont, Colorado | Small and large animals | Dogs, cats, livestock, exotics | Preventative care, dentistry, surgery, acupuncture, ultrasound, in-house laboratory, pharmacy, farm calls, pet boarding.

06/21/2025

SUMMER PET HEALTH PREVENTION TIPS

Leave the windows open if you should leave your pet inside a parked car; a car left running only invites a thief to break a window, and then take the car and your pet. If possible it is best NOT to take your pet and lock them in a car on hot days, even for a few minutes. Pets do not sweat like we do, so if they are in a confined area their panting will not cool them down. The temperature can easily climb to 120 degrees inside if the windows are left up. If your seats are white the inside temperature can reach 135 degrees when the outside temperature is 79 degrees. Red seats can reach 154 degrees, blue or green seats can reach 165 degrees and black seats can reach 192 degrees with a dog locked inside the car while the windows are up. If the outside temperature is 83 degrees the temperature can reach 109 degrees in 15 minutes, or 101 degrees if the windows are half open. Heat exhaustion can easily occur after prolong temperatures of 100 degrees, and skin burns after touching a surface of 150 degrees. Provide water, roll down the windows to where they cannot escape and check on your pet ever 15 minutes or less if you cannot take your pet with you and you have no other choice than to place them inside a car temporarily during the summer; many times if the pet has to be left in a car during the summer it is much safer to leave them at home. If you have an older dog with a heart condition/murmur, a brachycephalic dog (especially a French bulldog) consider leaving them home and not taking them out when you do errands. These dogs are especially prone to heat stroke.
Anytime an animal is outside in the hot weather, and appears sick, has an increased respiratory rate, is salivating and/or is weak you should relocate the animal to a shady area and take their temperature re**ally. A normal temperature is 100-102. If the temperature is over 105 degrees a call to the veterinarian is indicated, as an exam and treatment to prevent stroke and disseminated vascular coagulation (DIC) may be needed if the patient has hyperthermia. If the temperature is 103.5 to 105 degrees you can pour water on the animal, wipe off the water and repeat 2-3 times, then offer only small amounts of water orally at a time. If you think the pavement is too hot to walk your dog consider placing your hand on the concrete and if you cannot hold it in place for up to 7 seconds it is too hot for some dogs.
Lawn herbicides and insecticides can cause sickness in pets. Keep pets off lawns that have recently been sprayed within the last 3 days. If you have a Scottish Terrier we recommend you do not use the phenoxy herbicides. Wirehaired fox terriers, West Highland White terriers and Shetland sheepdogs can be predisposed to developing bladder cancer if overly exposed to this and other herbicides. The phenoxy herbicides contain "2,4-D", "2,4.5-T", MCPP (4-cholra-2-methylphenoxy propionic acid); the pre-emergence herbicide dicamba (3,6-dichoro-2-methoxybenzoic acid) is also a possible carcinogenic herbicide that should have 3+ days of non-contact for pets if the lawn is sprayed. If you need to spray in your back yard consider spot spraying only the weeds and/or fencing off part of the yard after spraying. Snail bait is a common poisoning; the best method of preventing is to place the bait where the dogs cannot get to it at all. We have some information about using beer and other safer products if you are concerned. Snail bait poisoning appears as a pet seizuring.
When going outdoors consider the potential problems that may exist in your area and affect you or your pet. Rattlesnake and other poisonous snakes are such a consideration. If you go fishing, especially remember to remove the bait off your hooks and also remove the hook to place in the tackle box. Many dogs and cats will eat a hook and line with the flavoring and smell of fish or the bait. Wasps and bees are active in the summer, and should your dog get bit by a wasp give immediately one 25 mg Benadryl antihistamine capsule per 12-25 # of body weight and then call the veterinarian. If you are having wasp problems the Wildlife Deterring area in our website has some information that will help with this problem.
Grooming is important in the health care of animals. Matted hair only contributes to possible problems. Have your pet groomed before the hot weather approaches. Foxtails, skin infections and fly strikes are only a few of the problems that can occur with pets that have matted hair. If you have foxtails in the area where your pets visits we recommend a mid and a late summer "foxtail grooming" appointment.

With pets, horses and children we all need to be extra careful and look at the environment they live it to prevent problems; puppies are especially prone to "if there is a possibility of happening it will occur".
Shelter from the sun and water should be available at all times if your pet is outside. If you have a brachycephalic dog (i.e especially a French bulldog) you need to constantly monitor them for heat stroke and breathing issues if the temperature is over 85F.
Are there any exposed nails, tears in the wire fencing and/or the ability for the pet to dig out and/or climb over the fence? There are invisible fences which can help the dogs who want to escape, but initially a good fence should be built and/or repaired. Also look at the lawn edging; the sharp metal edging should be removed. What can the puppy chew on that will require surgery? Avoidance and preventing problems should always be on a pet owners mind.
Do you have any ant, rodent, snail, insecticide or any other poisonous baits in the back yard and/or shed? Remove them if present; trying to hide them under some cover will only postpone the eventual time when they are discovered.
Do you have poisonous plants in the yard? In our area there is a great concern if you have foxglove, Lily of the Valley or other lily/bulb plants in your yard, monkshood (Aconitum), squill; and you have a dog that likes to chew. Yes you can spray the plants every 10-14 days with a deterrent spray, but avoidance is always the best medicine. In other areas of the country, in your greenhouse or inside there are tropical plants that are extremely toxic; azaleas, castor beans, golden chain tree, oleander, rosary pea, sago palm and/or yew plants. Other plants that are moderately toxic and which should be fenced off from a puppy or a chewing pet are the plants of the caladium/heath/rhododendron, or the Mountain Laurel/lambskill/Kalmia family, as well as the belladonna/Jerusalem cherry/nightshade group of plants. Ground cover type of cactus plants and thorny plants should also be fenced off so the puppy does not run and play in this area. Grapes and some fruits and nuts can be toxic to animals; other garden plants of concern are garlic, onions, potato sprouts, green tomato plants (and green potatoes). We have a much more complete list than the above. If you spray your yard with 2,4-D type products and have a West Highland terrier or a sheltie contact us about using these herbicides; we do believe in spot spraying as needed.
Are you feeding other animals and/or leaving out food that can be harmful to a dog? The ionophores in cattle and other ruminant feeds are toxic to pets. Leaving out food also attracts the raccoons which carry Leptospirosis and skunks which may carry rabies in our area.
We have many poisonous chemical, poisonous plant and deterrent handouts available; as a general rule look at the container and if it is poisonous then keep it up high and/or in a locked cabinet.

Veterinarian Longmont, Colorado | Small and large animals | Dogs, cats, livestock, exotics | Preventative care, dentistry, surgery, acupuncture, ultrasound, in-house laboratory, pharmacy, farm calls, pet boarding.