Summer means enjoying the weather,
and for most, with your pet! Remember to keep your pet healthy this summer by
keeping them safe in the summer’s high temperatures.
Here are just some of the ways you
can help ensure your pets have a safe summer:
Visit the Vet. A visit to the
veterinarian for a spring or early summer check-up is a must. Make sure your
pet is up-to-date on all necessary vaccinations. Pets should also be given a
blood test for heartworm every year in the early spring. The deadly parasite is
transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito, and it is recommended
that dogs and cats be on a monthly preventive medication year-round.
Keep Cool. Dogs and cats can become
dehydrated quickly, so give your pets plenty of water when it is hot outdoors.
Also make sure your pet has a shady place to escape the sun, and when the
temperature is very high, don't let your dog linger on hot asphalt.
Know the Symptoms. Some symptoms of
overheating in pets include excessive panting or difficulty breathing,
increased heart and respiratory rate, drooling, mild weakness, seizures, and an
elevated body temperature of over 104 degrees.
Summertime is the perfect time for
a backyard barbeque or party, but remember to keep alcoholic beverages away
from pets, as they can cause intoxication, depression, comas, or even death.
Similarly, remember that the snacks you serve your friends should not be a
treat for your pet; any change of diet, even for one meal, may give your dog or
cat severe digestive ailments.” Avoid raisins, grapes, onions, chocolate and
products with the sweetener xylitol.
Water Safety is Pet-friendly. Do
not leave pets unsupervised around a pool, as not all dogs are good swimmers.
Introduce your pets to water gradually and make sure pets wear flotation
devices while on boats. Rinse your dog off after swimming to remove chlorine or
salt from his fur, and try to keep your dog from drinking pool water, which
contains chlorine and other chemicals that could cause stomach upset.
Having a quality place to care for your pet is worth all the money in the world. I am always so scared that I won't have the help I need for my pet when he needs it. I need to make a list of all the possible places to go.
ReplyDeleteCynthia | http://www.andrewssquarepetclinic.com/
These are some really good tips to help keep my pet cool during the summer. My dog got heat stroke after he got overheated on one of our walks. I had to take him to the vet to have him taken care of. It's a good thing I got him to an animal hospital in time before it was too late. Fortunately, he's fine right now. I'll be sure to keep these tips in mind for next summer so that my dog won't get over heated again.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.windsorvet.com
Check out our video on Pet Emergency Kits too-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBYS5l8scFw&list=UUTQPSVHoxuWbId_vE7SY6vA. This has some good tips about other useful items to help prevent overheating and common 'accidents' that occur when you are out and about with your pet.
ReplyDeleteI love that your German Shepard has a swimming pool. That is a super great idea for hot summer days. If your dog is like mine, he'd sit in that pool 24/7. Maybe I need to get a new pool just for my dog. It would be nice if I could get one from the animal hospital.
ReplyDeletehttp://metzgeranimal.com
I agree!! I have heard that salt water pools are a great help to for pets with skin issues. So many things to think about when in sunny S. Florida!
DeleteI like your tip about keeping animals hydrated, since that is one of the best ways to keep cool. If you notice your dog panting often, they could be suffering from heat stroke or lack of water. It is terribly easy for humans to become overheated and sick in hot weather, so it is even more dangerous for animals with fur in the summer. Thank you for posting these tips just in time for summer to start. http://www.petmedicalcenter.net/wellness-plans/
ReplyDeleteThe Florida heat is a killer! Even the shortest amount of time outside for us can be too long for our furcoat wearing friends. It only takes a few simple steps to remember the tools to keep them safe. Thanks for being a part of the conversation!
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