Summer Safety Tips

With summer comes a variety of  situations that can create problems for your pet.  Below is a list of topics to help keep the fun in summer!

Traveling With Your Pet
General Summer Tips
Preventing Accidents & Injuries
Heat Stroke
Pets & Fireworks
Fleas, Ticks and Mosquitoes

Traveling With Your Pet

Are you taking your pet with you on vacation?  Making it fun for the whole family can sometimes be a challenge.  So here are a few tips for traveling with your pet.

1.  Schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to make sure all vaccinations are up to date.  Discuss with the veterinarian the area you are  going to and whether there are any special concerns that they are aware of for that area such as Lyme- Disease or parasites and fungal infections, as some areas of the country are more prone to these than others.
2.  Make sure your pet has proper ID.  The collar your pet is wearing should be secure and have a current ID tag that includes your cell phone number.  It's also a good idea to get your pet microchipped with Home
     Again. If your pet should lose his collar the animal recovery facility can access your contact information with a quick scan.
3.  If you are flying make sure to attach  your name and phone number along with your pets medical needs to the crate.  Each airline has their own set of rules for flying with pets, be sure to check with them in plenty
     of time to get the things together they require. Your pet will need a health certificate that is dated within 10 days of the scheduled flight.  It will depend on the size of your pet if he/she will be allowed in the cabin
     with you or not.

 General Summer Tips                                                                          

1. Never leave your dog in the car when the temperature is 80 degrees or higher outside. The inside of the car will heat up to 120 degrees or more. If you thought leaving the windows partially rolled down would help,
    think again. Your pet will not get enough cool air to avoid heat stroke.
2. Heat Stroke - Hot weather can make anyone feel uncomfortable and your pet is no exception.  The main thing is not to leave your pet unattended in direct sunlight or in a closed vehicle. In a closed vehicle the pet
    can become overheated in a very few minutes. Heat Stroke can lead to brain damage or death. Some simple signs you can look for are:  Panting, drooling, rapid pulse and increased body temperature. (Normal
    body temperature is 101 to 102 degrees)  What can you do if you suspect heat stroke?  Immediately immerse the dog in cool water or put your pet under a garden hose with a soft to medium flow of water and then
    seek emergency assistance from your veterinarian.
3. Make sure your pet has plenty of fresh water available at all times.  Summer is a great time to take your dog outside to run around, maybe to the park or to the beach.  One thing to remember is to avoid
    strenuous exercise when  it is extremely hot and humid and refrain from physical activity when the sun's heat is the most intense. The best times are early morning or late evening depending on the conditions.

Pets & Fireworks                                                   

Fireworks and thunderstorms can be frightening for pets, but their startling reactions are more alarming for pet owners.  Here are some of the signs your pet is fearful of them: Shaking, trembling, excessive drooling,
barking, howling, trying to hide or get into or out of the house, fence or other enclosure, refusing to eat food, loose bladder or bowel control or may experience temporary diarrhea from prolonged stress.  These signs usually subside once the fireworks or thunderstorms are over, but if they persist, call your veterinarian for advise. What can you do to help your pet?  Turn on the TV or radio to provide distraction.  Put your pet in a crate or inner, small room in your house.  Never leave your pet outside on a leash as he/she may hurt themselves or break loose and become lost from fearful running.  Take your pet for a walk to "use the restroom" before the fireworks or thunderstorm.  Make sure your pet ID is current.  If your pet runs away he/she can be returned to you in a timely manner.



First Aid and Your Pet    

One of the most important things you need to remember if your dog or cat suddenly becomes ill or injured is to get them stabilized prior to getting them to a veterinary clinic.  Some simple first aid measures can provide a necessary lifesaving remedy until medical help can be reached.

1.  Stay calm - Don't panic.  When you are calm so is your pet.  Keeping a level head will also help you to accurately describe the incident and your pet's symptoms to the veterinarian.  This will help the veterinarian
     better assess his condition.
2.  Focus on your pet - As you prepare to take your pet to the clinic, ask someone else to call ahead to your veterinarian or emergency clinic, don't just rush to their office.  Calling ahead will make sure that the doctor
     is in the office.  This will free you up to pay attention to your pet, apply pressure to the wound if necessary and determine what the best way will be to move him as to not cause any more pain or injury.
3.  Handle With Care - Carefully restrain an injured pet not only for your safety but for his/her's as well.  Even the friendliest pets may bite or scratch if they are in pain. 

Dog Park Concerns  

Off-leash dog parks are becoming increasingly popular these days and for good reason, they are a great place to let your dog run around, socialize and play.  One thing you want to keep in mind is that dogs will be dogs, so as owners it is important to be aware of common dog park related concerns.

1.  Accidents - Playful, excitable dogs are prone to accidents in the park.  They can trip in a hole while running or maybe play a little too enthusiastically with a pal who's a bit too much to handle which can lead to
     sprained joints.  Remember to keep a watchful eye on your dog to avoid these types of injuries.
2.  Lacerations - Sometimes even the friendliest wrestling match between dogs can turn into a concern.  Cuts and scratches are common dog park injuries, so keep your dog away from aggressive dogs.  Also, keep a
     look out for foreign objects like fallen branches that could cause harm while your dog is at play.
3.  Toxins - Remember that many park maintenance crews use chemicals such as fertilizers, snail bait and pesticides to maintain the park.  If you see signs that these chemicals are in use, visit another park for the
     day or come back another day.  If by chance you suspect that your dog has been in an area where chemical treatments have been used, clean his feet and legs thoroughly with soap and water and watch for signs
     of exposure.  Contact your veterinarian with any questions or concerns you may have.
4.  Cleaning up after your pet - Make sure to clean up after your pet when you are visiting a dog park.  Internal parasites, viruses and bacteria can be easily transmitted by contact with fecal matter from other dogs. 
     Lessen the chance of transmitting any of these  by picking up after your pet and encourage other pet owners to do the same.

Calling All Swimmers

Summertime is the time when most of us take our dogs swimming whether it be in the pool, the ocean or in the lake.  Although this is great fun... here are a few things to keep in mind:

1.  Dogs swimming in lakes can become susceptible to ear infections from the bacteria in the water.  Make sure to clean out your dogs ears after each swimming event.  This should help cut down on the possibility of
     bacteria overgrowth.
2.  If your dog has never gone swimming before take him in slowly for the first time as not all dogs are swimmers.  Once your dog becomes acclimated to swimming you can let him jump in freely.

Mosquitoes, Fleas and Ticks

What would summer be without mosquitoes!  Did you know that mosquitoes are the carriers of  Heartworm disease?

A monthly maintenance dose of heartworm medicine can prevent this bug from infecting your dog.  We recommend a heartworm test be done every 1 - 2 years just to be on the safe side that your dog does not have heartworm disease.  Your dog can become very ill and this disease can be fatal if left untreated.

Fleas and Ticks
Fleas and ticks are everywhere outside, even at the dog parks.  Preventative maintenance for fleas and ticks is recommended if your dog or cat spend any amount of time outside.
 

Emergency Help for Toxins

As a reminder for emergency help with toxins or information please contact:  Poison Control Center 1-888-426-4435.