Stay Informed! Keep Yourself And Your Pets Safe!

At our clinic, we see many clients who encounter a broad spectrum of wildlife native to rural Weston. So what should you do if your pet were to come across something like a raccoon, groundhog, fox or even...BEAR! Check out our office's helpful ways to keep you and your pets safe! 

There are many species of animals native to Connecticut. Here are just a few: bats, beavers, black bears, bobcats, coyotes, fisher cats, foxes, opossums, raccoons, otters, skunks, snakes, squirrels, deer, and woodchucks

The best thing to do is avoid contact!

 Avoid walking your dog at dawn and dusk when coyotes and skunks are known to roam. Keep your dog on a leash and near you at all times, as animals can usually be easily scared away. If your dog gets sprayed by a skunk-- bathe them immediately with a mixture of Dawn dish soap, baking soda and hydrogen peroxide (3%) or alternatively, we sell a product called Skunk Off! in our clinic.

Some dogs have really amazing prey drives! If your pet is a hunter, it could get them into some trouble. Besides the obvious risk of rabies, ingestion of any rodents could mean ingestion of rodent poison as well! (Trust me, we've seen it!) If your pet has eaten any wild animal, especially rodents, please contact your veterinarian as soon as possible so that your pet stays safe.

Bears are beginning to be more commonly seen in our backyards. If you see a bear while with your dog, make noise and back away slowly. Bears usually want to be left alone and are afraid of people. It's best to let them wander off on their own! 

Lastly, if your dog or cat has been bitten by a wild animal, DON'T TOUCH THEM! Rabies is transmitted through the saliva of the infected animal. Which means if your pet has saliva on them, it could also infect you if you touch them. Contact your local Animal Control and Veterinarian immediately.