• Make sure your pet can not run off if startled by loud noises. Keep leashed when outside even if they 'never leave your side'.... fear makes pets react differently. Make sure that the collar is tight enough that they can't "back out of it" if they pull backwards. Test it inside!

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• Make sure your pet has a collar with ID on in case they get lost

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• If you are traveling with your pet, microchips can help reunite pets lost from home or away. Microchipping is important especially in cats and when traveling. Cats can break out of collars and be left with no form of ID to get them reunited to you. Vets and shelters have scanners that can quickly identify you as the owner if they get lost. Make sure your chip is registered with the manufacturer. You can check who manufactured a chip by using this chip look up site: https://www.aaha.org/your-pet/pet-microchip-lookup/microchip-search/

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• Skunks and porcupines are on the move. Keep your pet leashed especially at night. IF they take off after a skunk you may have a smelly mess to take care of, and if the eyes get sprayed they will need to have medical attention. Porcupines do not 'shoot' their quills, but they are slow and tempting and many a dog has grabbed one and ended up at the vet for sedation and quill removal. Small quills and quills in the mouth are especially challenging.

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• Keep cats indoors, especially around Halloween when mischief can occur. If your cat gets out and you can't find it, put the litter pan and food outside and check sheds, cars, neighbors' sheds. Walk around calling your pet and listen for response. Let your neighbors know what your cat looks like and how to reach you if they see it.

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• Keep Halloween candy well out of reach of your dogs. Chocolate can cause vomiting, diarrhea, tremors and seizures in large amounts. Foil wrappers can cause intestinal obstruction. Artificial sweetener Xylitol is toxic to pets.

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• Dogs retching with nothing coming up, a hard abdomen right behind the left ribcage, blue gray gums= immediate medical emergency. They may be bloating. This is when the stomach gets distended and twists, nothing can get out and they need immediate attention.

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• Vomiting/diarrhea- from turkey, gravy, fatty or spoiled food they find in the garbage . Clear fluids only until vomiting stops. Call emergency clinic if vomiting profusely or your pet is very old, young or debilitated or vomiting persists.

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• GRAPES -that innocent fruit is toxic to dogs. Do not feed grapes.

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• An ounce of prevention is worth thousands of dollars of surgery.... Don't leave candy or other tempting food within reach.

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• Rabies vaccine: Keep it up to date for your protection and your pet's protection.

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• If you have two dogs in your home, do not leave collars on them when they are home alone, especially if they play/roughouse. If one of them gets their teeth caught on the collar of the other, they can get strangled while trying to get free. If they get stuck together or if they are fighting, do not reach in with your hands or you will get bitten. Use break away collars or remove collars when dogs are home alone or playing together. It is also wise to remove collars when they are in a crate so that the collar tags do not get stuck in the openings.​

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• Cuts/fights with visiting pets: again, prevention is best. Dogs are on edge with all the noise and activity and normally docile dogs may reach their limit and get in fights. Don't reach in to a dog fight with your hands.... you will get bit. Use a hose or bucket of water to startle/separate fighting dogs. Clean wounds with soap and water and rinse well. You can use neosporin or bacitracin on the wound. Then see your vet or emergency clinic.

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• ANIMAL POSION CONTROL: 1-855-764-7661 (Charges apply)

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• EMERGENCY CLINIC CONTACT INFO:

  • Barton Heights 570-424-6773 (emergency clinic of the Poconos)

  • Valley Central 610-435-1553 (Allentown)

  • E. PA VETERINARY EMERGENCY 610-904-1776 (Allentown)

  • Veterinary Referral and Emergency 570-587-7777 (Clarks Summit)