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Warm Weather Advisory Tips:
The warmer weather is finally here -
YEAH! But with the warmer weather, we need to take proper care of
our four-legged friends. There are certain precuations to take not
only with the heat but with flea, ticks and chemicals that can be
hazardous or even deadly to your pet.
CARS AND HEAT
Never leave your pet in a parked car- even if it is parked in the
shade and the windows are open. Did you know the inside of a closed
vehicle can soar from 70 degrees up to 120 degrees in a matter of 10
minutes? A dog or cat's temperature can rise rapidly and to a
dangerous level within a few minutes in a hot car causing heat
stroke, serious brain injury and even DEATH!
Symptoms of heat stroke are heavy, loud breathing, a staggering gait
and a bright red tongue or gum tissue.
If you suspect heat stroke, get the animal to a cool place, put cold
compresses on his belly or wet him down. This is a MEDICAL
EMERGENCY-GET HIM TO THE VET IMMEDIATLEY!
Don't allow your pet to lean outside of your vehicle's window.
Debris in the air can irritate his eyes and also hit and injure him
as well. If your car window is fully open, he can jump out and the
outcome can have serious consequences.
Don't allow your pet ride in the flatbed of a truck. Even if the pet
is leashed, your pet may jump or fall out. He may become seriously
injured or killed.
SUN
If your pet is kept outdoors for any length of time, please make
sure he has a shaded place and plenty of fresh water to drink. Your
pet needs more water in the summer to replenish what he loses by
panting.
If you would like to exercise with your dog during the warmer
months, do so at cooler times of the day (morning & evening are
ideal). Your dog could overheat quickly and will have more
difficulty cooling down. Let him drink frequently. Be more sensitive
to your pet if he is overweight or older. Older pets tend to
overheat more quickly.
Be more sensitive to Brachycephalic or snub-nosed dogs such as
Bulldogs, Pugs, Boston Terriers, Lhasa Apsos and Shih-Tzus as well
as those with heart or lung diseases. It is ideal to keep them in
air-conditioned rooms if at all possible.
ID TAGS
Pets are outside more often with warmer weather and can wander off.
It is important to have a current license or ID tag so your pet can
be returned to his home.
Make sure you do have your dog on a leash to decrease the risk of
him wandering off. Use a harness to attach a leash for a cat- cats
are very sensitive to being pulled by their necks.
SPAYING/NEUTERING
Springtime is when dogs and cats go into heat and unwanted litters
of animals are born! Spaying and neutering are the ONLY EFFECTIVE
WAYS to reduce the pet overpopulation crisis. There are many health
benefits to spaying and neutering your pet. It eliminates the
chances of developing testicular cancer and decreases the chances of
developing prostatic disease in males. It also helps with
territorial and sexual aggression and inappropriate urination. For
females, spaying decreases the incidence of breast cancer - the rate
goes down to ZERO if it is done before the first heat cycle. It
eliminates the chance of developing a serious and potentially fatal
infection of the uterus. Spay surgery eliminates the heat cycle and
messy spotting with dogs and the attraction of male dogs to your
yard.
FLEAS, TICKS AND VACCINATIONS
A pet may pick up fleas and ticks while outdoors. Always check your
pet for them. Deer ticks can cause lyme disease which can cause many
problems for your pet. If your pet wears a flea collar, make sure to
check for any reactions to the collar. Keep your pet well groomed.
Daily brushing and combing allows you to check for fleas and ticks.
Keeping your pet's hair shorter, but not down to the skin (your pet
may sunburn), will allow your pet to stay cooler.
Be sure your pet's vaccinations are up-to-date. Parvo virus, an
illness that flourishes in hot weather, can be fatal to dogs that
haven't received the vaccination. Make sure their rabies
vaccinations are current. Encounters with wildlife are more
prevalent during the warmer months because of pets spending more
time outside. Make sure your indoor cat is vaccinated against
rabies. If your beloved indoor cat escapes and comes in contact with
a rabid animal, the consequences can be deadly.
POISONS
Clean up any spills of antifreeze. Because of its sweet taste,
animals like it but it is DEADLY! Take your pet to the veterinarian
IMMEDIATELY if you suspect your pet has ingested antifreeze. Store
the containers in a locked cabinet.
Insecticides, herbicides and fertilizers can be dangerous or
poisonous to pets. Residue accumulates on a pet's paws when he runs
on a treated area; she could become ill if she licks the chemicals
off her paws. Freshly-sprayed lawns are a particular concern if your
pet is fond of eating grass.
We love the warmer weather and enjoying it with out pets. Let's make
sure we keep our pets safe during the Spring and Summer. Remember,
our pets depend on us to keep them safe. Have a great Spring and
Summer!
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