Keeping Pets Safe in your "Fall" Garden

By Elizabeth Bublitz
And Kris Ahlgrim , D.V.M.

As our busy summer winds down, it's time to put our gardens "to bed." Fall gardens pose many dangers to dogs that might be over ­looked since we don't frequent them as often this time of year. However, dogs will use their yard regardless of the season, weather, or time of day. Many hazards, such as toxins, lacerations, and accidents can be avoided during the fall with these gardening tips.

TOXINS IN THE GARDEN

Autumn Crocus Bulbs: (Colchicum autumnal) also known as Meadow Saf ­fron in the Liliaceae family. Toxic prin ­ciples include colchicine and other alkaloids. Symptoms may range from irritation of the mucous membranes to bloody vomiting, or diarrhea, shock, multi-organ damage, or bone marrow suppression

Compost Bins: This time of year, compost won't decompose as quickly as it did in the summer due to cooler temperatures. Many dogs find "stinky" waste or moldy food appealing and will eat it. Keep dogs away from compost bins to avoid gastrointestinal problems.

Apricot, Cherry, Peach, Plum (prunus species) pits/leaves/stems. This time of year, fruits will be ready to harvest and leaves will be falling. Although squir ­rels tend to do most of the harvesting, they leave fruit pits which your dog can eat. Some pits contain Cyanogenic gly ­cosides. Patrol the ground of your fruit trees to make sure there are no pits for your dogs to chew. Also, rake up leaves or stems"”they contain cyanide too, es ­pecially in the process of wilting. Signs that your dog may have ingested a pit may include: brick red mucous mem ­branes, dilated pupils, respiratory difficulty, panting, or shock. Remember that pits can also pose a choking hazard to your dog.

Winterize Lawns: Many homeowners are winterizing their lawns with fertil ­izers that promote dormancy for the plants. Make sure they are toxic-free. If hiring a landscape company to apply it, ask them for specific ingredients and the life span of them. If your pooch gets sick, you'll want to tell your veterinarian what was applied.
When using ice melt for icy sidewalks and driveways, be sure to use specific pet-friendly brands. Regular ice melt can be toxic to dogs and/or give your pooch sores on his feet.

Lacerations

Since deciduous plants lose their leaves in the fall, many dogs do not see the defoliated branches which can poke their faces or eyes while they play or run through the gardens. Securing a small fence around them until spring (when they leaf out again) is a great solution to prevent your dog from cutting himself.

If your yard has steel edging and a plastic safety cap on it, be sure to check that it is secure. During cold nights, the plastic will heave and the steel (sharp) edging will be exposed. When dogs run along it, they can sever their tendons. Better yet, it's best to replace steel edg ­ing with a steel roll top or plastic edging.

Foxtails"”If you live west of the Missis ­sippi, you've probably dealt with foxtails. If not, count your blessings! They are grass-like plants with a soft seed head from January"”early April. Their seed heads resemble a fox's tail. The dangers for our pets, especially to dogs who take daily walks and are exposed to them, begins when the seed head dries and scatters from mid-April until fall. They attach to everything"”from our cloth ­ing to our dog's coat. They are barbed and are very difficult to remove. They can also get lodged between dogs' toes, eyes, ears or in any orifice. If embed ­ded, they can cause abscesses or severe infections. They are barbed and only move forward. Some of the worse cases are when they migrate and get lodged in your dog's spine, lungs or other internal organs, and in some cases, can be fatal.

Signs that your dog has been exposed to foxtails are: an inflamed or painful lump on your dog's body; squinting, rubbing or pawing at his eye; violently shaking his head to remove seeds from his ear; violent sneezing or bloody discharge if they're in his nasal cavity; or, lastly, gulping, coughing, excessive swallow ­ing or gagging if they are lodged in his throat. In any of these cases, you need to take him to the veterinarian as soon as possible to have them removed. Nor ­mally they will have to sedate him or perform surgery to remove the seeds.

Accidents

If you have tree stakes or are staking any plant"”don't use the thin, invisible wires that dogs might run into. If you're staking small plants"”tie thin strips of cloth to the stakes. For larger plants"” purchase rubber wire-guards (if your dog doesn't chew rubber) or simply put multiple flags on the wires.

Make sure temperatures are safe for your dog. Always allow access back into your house or a covered area just in case the weather becomes cold. Also, provide plenty of fresh food and water. Make sure the water doesn't freeze over by utilizing an electric water bowl which provides enough heat to prevent freezing. If you have an electric fence, make sure it hasn't been severed when you have your lawn aerated. It is best to keep your dog in while your lawn is being aerated (or close your pet door the day it is aer ­ated) and test the electric fence prior to letting your pooch out. Oftentimes, the line is punctured and dogs escape.

For more information or to contact:

Elizabeth Bublitz (owner)
Pawfriendly Landscapes
www.pawfriendlylandscapes.com
toll-free: (877) 223-6744

Dr. Kris Ahlgrim
www.goldenviewvet.com
(303) 279-9182