Summertime Safety
Yes! Summertime is here,2010! This time of year can be as much fun for your pet as it is for you. There are also some dangers that pet owners should be aware of. To keep your animal companions happy, cool and safe during the hot days of summer, pet owners need to take some percautions. Here are a few hot-weather tips:
Avoiding Heatstroke
It is very important to limit and monitor your pet’s time outdoors during the hottest hours of the day. Dogs release most of their body heat through their footpads and by panting. Therefore they are not as efficient at cooling down as we are. Be especially cautious with dogs that have short, pushed-in faces (brachycephalic), puppies and elderly pets. The recommended time for outdoor activities is early morning and evening hours. Be sure to provide plenty of water, especially if your pet must be kept outdoors. Also make sure your pet has easy access to shaded areas. Remember, if it’s too hot for you, then it’s too hot outside for your pet.
Signs of Heatstroke
Signs of heatstroke include (but are not limited to):
If you suspect your pet has suffered a heatstroke, seek Veterinary attention immediately! Use cool water, not ice water, to cool your pet. Ice cold water will cause vessels to constrict and impedes the cooling process. Assisted cooling should be stopped once the temperature reaches 103 degrees Fahrenheit- some pets can become hypothermic, to cold. Vital internal organs are affected by the elevated body temperature, so don’t think everything is fine once your pet is cooled and it “appears” OK. You shold still seek Veterinary care immediately. There is also a complex blood problem, called DIC (Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation) that can be a secondary complication to heatstroke that is potentially fatal.
Toxins
This is the time of year when we all want to enjoy our beautiful lawns. You should take caution of you use fertilizers or other chemicals on your lawn. make sure your pet doesn’t have access to these potentially toxin products. Always be on the look out for antifreeze. This sweet-taste (to pets) product can be life-threatening
Water safety
Most of us will spend some time relaxing near water, whether a pool, lake or at the beach. All dogs are not naturally good swimmers, especially if they have underlying heath conditions. If you have a pool remember that your dog may jump in and not be able to figure out how to get out. Never leave your pet unsupervised around water.