Autumn – the Time for Vitaminization and Immune Support for Pets

As the autumn cold sets in, a pet's body becomes more vulnerable to viruses. Moreover, if the pet's diet is not well-balanced, a deficiency of certain vitamins may occur. How to help your pet avoid seasonal troubles — read this material by Animal Clinic.

How to restore normal levels of beneficial components in the body?

Due to a deficiency of certain vitamins, pets can develop cardiovascular system pathologies, their vision may deteriorate, and chronic diseases can worsen. If you are feeding your pet commercial food, it most likely does not require additional vitamins, thanks to a well-thought-out composition. However, for those who prepare their pets' meals themselves, it’s important to know that dogs and cats often lack the following vitamins:

• A — an essential component of the normal growth and development process, making it necessary for puppies and kittens. A deficiency may delay the replacement of baby teeth with permanent ones. The pet becomes lethargic, its vision worsens, and its appetite disappears. This vitamin is abundant in fish oil. It can be added to food: for dogs — 5–20 ml, for cats — 0.5–5 ml.
• D — responsible for bone health. Vitamin drops can be purchased at pet stores. The best activator of vitamin D is sunlight, so in autumn, if possible, take your dog for walks during the day.
• E — an important vitamin for pregnant pets. It can be found in corn, sunflower, and olive oils.
• C — a deficiency leads to multiple subcutaneous hemorrhages and swollen gums. To normalize the vitamin C level, you can treat your dog with carrots, and for cats, dissolve ascorbic acid in water.
• B — due to a deficiency, metabolism and nervous activity may be disrupted. The safest source of this vitamin is drops, as raw meat and liver are not suitable for all pets.

To know for sure whether your pet is suffering from a vitamin deficiency, we recommend bringing them to Animal Clinic for laboratory diagnostics, which will quickly identify any deficiencies. You should consult a veterinarian regarding the proper dosage.

Hypothermia — One of the Enemies of Immunity

Hypothermia weakens the body's protective functions. Due to wet fur from rain, drafts at home, cold floors, and a cold nose, the immune system may not cope with viruses. Hypothermia can be recognized by symptoms such as shivering, dilated pupils, and weakness. To prevent your pet from freezing in autumn, you can:

1. Dress them for walks. A jumpsuit or suit will not only protect against dirt but also from the biting wind and low air temperatures, while special rubber-soled shoes will protect against cold and de-icing chemicals.
2. Ensure there is a warm bed at home where the pet can escape from the cold and avoid the cold floor.
3. Adjust the duration of walks according to the temperature.
4. Do not allow your pet to run through puddles or lie on wet grass.

Please note that puppies, kittens, pregnant females, older dogs and cats, and pets with pathologies are the most susceptible to hypothermia.

Preventing Poisoning

Immunodeficiency can occur due to poisoning, the risk of which increases with the onset of autumn. Various toxic substances can be encountered while walking your dog, so it is important not to let them taste anything outside because:

• Fallen leaves — a breeding ground for harmful microorganisms.
• Mushrooms — are toxic, and even edible ones are of no benefit to pets.
• Leftover food on the ground — may contain rat poison, as in autumn, these rodents actively move from the streets to the basements of buildings, and some people try to eliminate them with poison.

After each walk, thoroughly wash your pet's paws to avoid the risk of harmful substances getting into their mouth when they lick themselves. If you notice excessive salivation, vomiting, or diarrhea, contact your veterinarian, as these symptoms may indicate poisoning.

Vaccination — An Important Component of Pet Immunization

Vaccination significantly reduces the risk of contracting various infectious diseases, as it creates active immunity. Pets need to be vaccinated once a year throughout their lives.

If your pet has not yet been vaccinated, now is the time to take care of it. Autumn, along with spring, is the best time for vaccination. Specialists at Animal Clinic perform vaccinations for dogs and cats in Kyiv and the Kyiv region using a comprehensive serum that forms immunity against a range of viral diseases, including rabies and distemper.