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When
summer arrives, it is very important that we take the proper precautions
when dealing with our pets.
Here are a few important tips and facts that should help protect
our furry friends.
Heat stroke
can kill an animal. Dogs and cats should NEVER be left alone in a car or
truck, even briefly. Even with a window open, a vehicle can become a
furnace much more quickly than you would ever expect.
It doesn’t matter if you park in the shade, because the sun
shifts during the day.
With their extra-long soft palates, small nostrils, and
narrower-than-usual windpipes, brachycephalic breeds (breeds with the
short snouts and “pushed-in faces”) have an especially tough time in
the summer heat.
English bulldogs, Pugs, and Boston terriers are examples of these
breeds.
Always
travel with a thermos of cool water that you can offer your dog throughout
the day.
Keep
your dog’s exercise to a minimum, especially after eating, during the
hottest hours of the day. Any exercise should be done in the early
morning, when it’s coolest, or in the evening, after sundown.
Minimize
the amount of time your dog spends standing on the street.
Asphalt radiates a lot of heat, and dogs are closer to the ground
than we realize.
They can heat up pretty fast, and they can burn their paws on the
hot asphalt.
Avoid
taking your dog to the beach unless you can provide a shady spot, and have
plenty of fresh water for him to drink.
Hi-rise
syndrome increases dramatically during the summer months.
Hi-rise syndrome is what we call it when cats and (less commonly)
dogs fall out of a window.
Do not open windows during hot weather unless the window is
protected by a screen.
Long-haired
dogs are especially prone to overheating.
Shaving a long-haired dog so that the hair is 1-inch long helps
prevent overheating.
Shaving any shorter than 1-inch might predispose your dog to
sunburn, so don’t go any shorter than 1 inch.
Antifreeze
can be deadly to cats and dogs.
Animals are attracted to antifreeze because it has a sweet taste.
Unfortunately, the main ingredient in antifreeze, ethylene glycol,
can cause severe, sometimes fatal kidney damage if ingested.
Be careful when changing the coolant in your car, and try to
prevent your pets from drinking antifreeze from puddles.
There are several brands of antifreeze that are designed to be
non-toxic to pets.
They have propylene glycol, a safe chemical, instead of ethylene
glycol. Consider
switching to these safe alternatives.
If your dog spends much of it’s time outdoors, make
certain that it has access to shady areas.
A properly constructed doghouse is perfect for this.
If you can’t provide proper shade, bring the dog inside during
the hottest hours of the day.
Carefully check your pet’s body at least once a week in
the summer, looking for fleas, ear mites, and ticks. Bring your pet to the veterinarian for a good spring/summer
check-up, and use a good flea and tick repellent based on your
veterinarian’s recommendation.
Follow the above recommendations, and hopefully your pet
will experience a safe and problem-free summer.
Updated 2/9/06 |
