SUMMER PET TIPS
Any pet can suffer from heat stress, which can be fatal.
Never leave an animal in a parked car in warm weather, even for a short
period of time with the windows open. On a moderate 75° day, a car parked in direct sunlight can quickly reach a temperature of more than 120°!
Cool clean water must be available during this time of the year. Refresh
water often and be sure the bowls can’t tip over.
Outside dogs must always have a shady and sheltered place to rest. Cats
should be kept inside.
Avoid excessive exercise of pets during hot weather.
Don’t allow animals to ride in the beds of pickup trucks. Besides being
dangerous, the truck bed can burn their paws.
Walking your pet on hot pavement can burn his/her paw pads.
Heatstroke is a swift killer. The symptoms of heatstroke are laborious
panting, drooling, bright red tongue and gums, warm, dry skin and finally
collapse.
Should these signs occur, you must take emergency action! Somehow gradually immerse your pet into cool water or place ice packs around the
head and neck then rush to your veterinarian!
Heartworms are internal parasites that are transmitted to dogs by
mosquitoes. Dogs infested with heartworms can suffer severe distress and die of heart failure. See your veterinarian for preventative medicine.
Almost all pets that are allowed outside will get fleas. Contact your vet
for information on the products that are available.
If you’re taking a summer vacation, carefully consider what to do with your
pet. If you’re taking your pet with you, make reservations with pet-friendly
hotels. You can board your pet at a kennel or ask a trusted friend or petsitter to petsit in your home.
Leaving your pet confined in an empty house or tied up outside, are not
acceptable alternatives.
Barbara McGrady
Society for the Protection of Animals
P.O. Box 1047
Fremont
www.spaohio.org