There are many dangerous items lingering in your bag that can cause potentially life threatening illness to your cat or dog. Below is a list of the most common items for which every pet owner should be made aware.

1. Hand Sanitizer

2. Sugarless gum

3. Human Medications

4. Cigarettes

5. Inhalers for asthma

Hand Sanitizer contains up to 95% ethanol (alcohol). If a dog ingests an entire bottle that could be the equivalent of a full glass of hard liquor! Alcohol is rapidly absorbed and can cause decreased blood pressure, blood sugar and hypothermia (low temperature). If enough is consumed, dogs can suffer seizures and difficulty breathing.

Many packs of sugarless gum contain an ingredient called xylitol. Xylitol can also be found in many other sugarless treats such as breath mints, vitamins and toothpaste. The amount of xylitol in each of these products can be very different. Xylitol consumed in low quantities can cause a rapid decrease in blood sugar levels as well as vomiting, weakness and tremors. At high quantities, xylitol can cause liver failure and ultimately death

Human medications such as aspirin, beta blockers and anti depressants can all cause serious signs to your beloved pet if ingested even in small quantities. Aspirin can cause stomach ulcers and kidney failure, beta blockers can cause weakness, slow heart rate and collapse and anti depressants can cause agitation or sedation, drooling and seizures.

Cigarettes contain nicotine which is another very fast acting toxin and only a few need to be eaten to cause dramatic changes. This ingestion can cause vomiting, weakness, seizures and collapse.

Lastly, asthma inhalers can be another potential hazard. Inhalers that contain the active ingredient albuterol are the most dangerous. Typically dogs like to chew on the canisters and then ingest a very concentrated form of albuterol. This can cause vomiting, extreme agitation, abnormal to fast heart rates and collapse.

All of these ingestions can be potentially fatal so it is crucial your pet is seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible so immediate treatments can be instituted. Also, keep your bags zippered closed at all times as well as storing them on shelves out of your pets reach. Please call us at Eagle Animal Hospital if you have any questions about the aforementioned. We serve Chester Springs, Exton, Downingtown and Glenmoore.

Most of us do not think about ticks once the weather starts to cool. However, ticks can be out all year long, as long as the temperature is above freezing. Ticks can present a serious health risk to pets as well as humans.

The most common problem that we associate with ticks is Lyme disease. There are of course other tick born diseases such as Ehrlichia, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and Anaplasmosis. Ticks need to be attached for 24 - 48 hrs to transmit disease. That is why we at Eagle Animal Hospital recommend that you check yourself as well as your pet every time you are outside. We also recommend a topical flea and tick preventative, such as VECTRA3D.

There are three stages to the life cycle of ticks. In the spring a small six legged larva will hatch. It will then find a small animal host as soon as possible. If the host is carrying Lyme then the larva will get infected as well.

The larva will stay dormant until the following spring. The larva will molt and then enter the nymph stage. The nymph is larger and It will then have eight legs. The nymph will feed on a new host (potentially your pet) for 3-5 days until it is full. It will then drop off and remain dormant until late summer. If the tick has had Lyme from the larval stage then it may have infected the new host. This will also be another chance for the tick to get infected, if it wasn't already.

Adult ticks will seek out a new host (your pet, again) to mate, feed, and possibly transmit Lyme. The female, once engorged will drop off, hide under leaves and debris through out the winter, and then in the spring she will lay approximately 2000 eggs.

Removing a tick correctly is important for you and your pet. The best way to remove a tick is to use small tweezers so that you can get as close to your pet's skin as possible. Pull slow and steady to remove the head. Never use hot matches, nail polish, turpentine or petroleum jelly to remove a tick. Not only are these methods not safe for your pet but they do not work. If you do not have tweezers, you can remove them with your fingers. Washing your hands after contact is advised and if you wish to be completely safe, gloves can be used since ticks carry diseases in their blood.

Once a tick is removed, they can be killed by placing them in alcohol. The site of tick removal can also get infected. Cleaning the area with alcohol and applying some over-the-counter triple antibiotic ointment can help. If you see signs of infection or are concerned, please give our office a call. We serve Exton, Downingtown, Glenmoore and Chester Springs.

Written by Harriet Band, veterinary receptionist at Eagle Animal Hospital    

As a loving Chester Springs pet owner, you already know that pet wellness is very important to your pet's longevity and happiness. We are here to help you provide pet wellness care for all of your animals, whether your pet is a dog, a cat, a ferret, or another "pocket pet" such as a gerbil or rabbit. We have pet wellness plans custom designed for each type of animal, and our veterinarian and animal vet clinic staff vow to do our best to keep your animals well and happy!

Pet Wellness Plans Recommended By Our Veterinarian

Our Chester Springs veterinarians, Dr. David Matunis and Dr. Jennifer Granite both recommend starting pet wellness plans as soon as you adopt a new pet. This will normally begin with a "get to know you" pet visit with the veterinarian, and the initial vaccinations needed for your new animal companion. Rabies vaccinations must be given regularly, as well as protective vaccinations meant for your new pet.

Most pets will also undergo spay and neuter surgeries before six months of age. A spayed or neutered pet is a much happier and healthier pet -- this is a gift that can help reduce the unwanted-pet population, can help discourage destructive behaviors, and even reduce the risk of certain reproductive related diseases and illnesses.

Check-up exams are a vital component of pet wellness plans here at Eagle Animal Hospital. We usually schedule your pets for yearly exams, and we are also here for any extra visits that are required. During health checkups, we will examine your pet from ears to tail, including dental exams, dermatology exams, and radiology and lab services where needed.

The gift of wellness is one of the greatest presents that Downingtown, Exton, and Chester Springs pet owners can give to your pet -- and to yourself! Please ask us anything you'd like to know about pet wellness care.

What steps do you take to ensure that your pet receives the preventative care they need?

As the winter months approach so does the excitement of snow covered ground. This, for many, means days filled with ice-skating, sledding and snowboarding. However, this time of year can be especially hard on our furry friends. Pets can encounter many cold weather related hazards ranging from antifreeze consumption to hypothermia.

While enjoying daily outdoor activities with our pets, an attentive eye must also be in place. Owners must watch for signs that their pets may be too cold outside. Some of these signs include shivering, difficulty walking and whimpering. Especially older, younger or sick pets since they have a more difficult time maintaining their body heat.

Since pets are continually licking their paws, the ingestion of salt, antifreeze or other dangerous chemicals is a great hazard. The salt concentration and chemicals in many outdoor products can cause irritation and burns to your pet's paws. Another concern in pets that spend time outdoors is frostbite. Frostbitten skin is red or gray. Owners should wipe off their pet's legs, paws and stomach with a moist cloth when returning indoors from playing in the snow, sleet or ice.

Another winter hazard commonly found in households across the country is antifreeze. This substance is toxic to both cats and dogs. It's bright color and sweet flavor is enticing to snooping pets. The main ingredient in antifreeze is ethylene glycol. If consumed, antifreeze can cause serious, and often fatal, kidney failure. Immediate veterinary attention must be sought.

Companion animals who are housed in the garage or in outdoor houses need adequate warmth and shelter. These areas should have bedding materials, such as padded blankets or hay to keep them insulated. Owners need to make sure their outdoor pets have access to fresh, unfrozen water.

As for grooming, avoid shaving your dog down to the skin during the winter season, since a longer coat will provide more warmth. When bathing pets in colder months, make sure to completely dry them before they go outdoors. Those who own a short-haired dog should consider buying them a coat or sweater.

Lastly, winter months also bring about cold and flu season for humans, which mean houses are stocked with prescription remedies. Pets are curious by nature and medication left on a counter or table may be enticing to our furry friends. The ingestion of these medications is often a hazard that is overlooked. By placing medications in the drawers or cabinets after every use, an accidental consumption can be avoided.

For more winter tips or if you have any other questions, please give our office a call. We serve Exton, Downingtown, Glenmoore and Chester Springs.

 Written by Alyson Kelly, veterinary assistant at Eagle Animal Hospital