REGINA — With snow melting and warmer weather arriving, veterinarians are warning pet owners about hidden dangers this spring, from ticks and thin ice to unexpected outdoor hazards.
Dr. Andrea Ulmer, a veterinarian at Wascana Animal Hospital, says many pet owners focus on allergies this time of year, but there’s much more to consider.
“As things warm up, we tend to see parasite emergence, so ticks,” she said. “We also see mosquitoes coming out. We see gastrointestinal issues as the snow and ice melts. And of course, we see outdoor safety issues with pets falling through thin ice on the creeks and lakes and things like that.”
Dogs racing off to chase scents or sticks can fall through fragile ice on waterways, Ulmer said, leading to hypothermia, lacerations or even drowning.
“When the sun comes out, everyone’s super excited to get outside, and with the thin layer of ice we do see a lot of dogs and puppies that go racing off,” she said.
As people head back to trails and parks, owners should also be alert for parasites.
“If you’re out on the trails or dog parks and things like that, any temperature really over zero degrees Celsius, we now know we can see the tick life cycle resume,” Ulmer said.
Ticks are found in tall grass, brush and wooded areas, and though most ticks in Saskatchewan are the American dog tick, which does not transmit Lyme disease, blacklegged ticks are emerging and are known carriers of Lyme disease in other parts of Canada. Active surveillance programs in the province have already reported occasional blacklegged ticks, meaning vigilance is recommended.
Pets exploring melting snow can also encounter unexpected hazards. Ulmer explained that trash, wildlife feces and even animals that didn’t survive the winter can be uncovered, leading to gastrointestinal upset, vomiting or diarrhea when dogs ingest things they shouldn’t.
Owners can reduce risks by keeping pets on a short leash during early spring walks.
“The leash gives you a bit more control for not having them find something out in the bush and ingesting it that they shouldn’t have,” she said.
Spring is also a good time for a veterinary checkup. Ulmer recommends discussing preventive care, including tick and heartworm prevention and even Lyme vaccination for dogs that may travel or spend time in tick-prone areas.
“Having your pet properly vaccinated and having the time to discuss appropriate tick and heartworm prevention is important,” she said.
She also noted that allergies, such as itchy skin, ear infections and paw licking, can start flaring as pollen rises, and catching these issues early can make pets more comfortable.
What owners should do now:
- Watch for ticks and do full checks after outdoor time, especially in grass and brush.
- Be careful near waterways with thin ice.
- Keep pets on a leash and watch for things they shouldn’t eat.
- Talk to a veterinarian about spring preventive care and vaccinations.
“Just really being vigilant with outdoor safety and your parasite protection and prevention is always key,” Ulmer said. “And if your pet has known allergies, being on top of that before symptoms flare up is important to keeping them comfortable and happy and safe this spring.”
