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Hot Hound or Cool Canine?
You may want sun and surf in the summer but your dog wants shade and water. Here’s some tips on how to keep your companion animal cool and safe during hot
weather!
Prevention is the Best Medicine
- Never take your pet with you in the car if it will be left unattended for any length of time.
- Even with the car windows slightly open, the temperature inside the car can reach 120º in just minutes!
- Provide an outside dog with access to cool drinking water
- Ensure he has access to lots of shade other than a tree! As the day goes by, a tree does not always provide
shade.
- When away from home, always carry water with you on hot days and give your pet small amounts frequently.
Signs of Heatstroke
- excessive panting
- salivation
- vomiting
- an anxious or staring expression,
- a fast pulse rate and high body temperature
Solutions
- Immediately immerse the animal in cool water or pour cool water over the animal
- You can also put ice packs on the animal’s head.
- As soon as the animal cools off, take it to the veterinarian for medical treatment.
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When The Heat Is On
Even when the sun’s not out, summer brings hot weather and family vacations. Your pets will be affected by both. For a healthier, happier summer for you and your
pets, follow these tips:
- Never leave your pets in a parked car, even if the windows are open. Ten minutes could be too long on a
hot day. By then, the temperature inside the car could
reach 160º. That’s hot enough to cause a dog to
suffer heat stroke.
- Pets don’t perspire as people do. They cool themselves by panting. With only very hot air to breathe, your
pets could suffer permanent brain damage within
moments. If emergency care is not given, your pets could
die. They may want to come along, but it’s much kinder to leave your pets at home with plenty of
fresh, cool
water and shade.
- Check your pets regularly for fleas, which are more common in hot weather. For flea control to be effective,
your pets’ entire environment must be treated,
including the yard. Never use flea control products for dogs
on cats, as they may ingest the powerful chemicals while grooming.
- Without the proper planning, your dream vacation could become a nightmare for your pets. If they are staying
behind, make advance boarding reservations
with a veterinary clinic, reputable kennel or pet sitter; or make
arrangements with a responsible friend.
- Your pets should always wear collars with proper identification tags (rabies and/or license) and be kept under
control in accordance with local leash laws. This
is even more important when vacationing, as pets can easily
become lost in a strange environment.
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