We have put together a few tips and tricks to keep your pets cool and safe this summer.
Know the symptoms of heatstroke
Excessive panting or difficulty breathing, increased heart and respiratory rate, drooling, mild weakness, stupor or even collapse. Symptoms can also include seizures, bloody diarrhea and vomit along with an elevated body temperature of over 104 degrees.
Don’t leave your pet unattended in a vehicle
A car can overheat even with the windows cracked an inch or two.
Provide fresh water and shelter from the sun
Make sure your pets have a shady place to get out of the sun, be careful not to overexercise them, and keep them indoors when it’s extremely hot.
Pets can get sunburns too
Believe it or not, pets can sunburn, especially those with short or light-coloured coats. And just like with people, sunburns can be painful for a dog and overexposure to the sun can lead to skin cancer. Talk to your veterinarian about sunscreens for your dog (don’t assume a sunscreen for people is appropriate for your dog).
Flea, tick and mosquito protection
If not protected, your dog is at risk for heartworm, Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and a host of other nasty and dangerous conditions. And don’t forget, many of these diseases can be caught by people too!
Hot asphalt
When the temperature is very high, don’t let your dog linger on hot asphalt. Being so close to the ground, your pooch’s body can heat up quickly, and sensitive paw pads can burn. Keep walks during these times to a minimum.
Water safety
Not all dogs can swim naturally, so do not leave them unattended around pools or any body of water.
Parties and BBQ’s
Food and drink commonly found at barbeques can be poisonous to pets. Keep alcoholic beverages away from pets, as they can cause intoxication, depression and comas. Similarly, remember that the snacks enjoyed by your human 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.
If you have any questions, please give us a call at 902.827.4257.
Written by: Eastern Shore Veterinary Hospital
