We all love spending the long, sunny days of summer outdoors with
our furry companions, but being overeager in hot weather can spell danger,
ASPCA experts warn. "Most people love to spend the warmer days enjoying
the outdoors with friends and family, but it is important to remember that some
activities can be dangerous for our pets," said Dr. Camille DeClementi,
Senior Toxicologist at the ASPCA's Animal
Poison Control
Center
Take these simple precautions, provided by ASPCA experts,
to help prevent your pet from overheating. And if you suspect your pet is
suffering from heat stroke, get help from your veterinarian immediately.
Visit the Vet
A visit to the veterinarian for a
spring or early summer check-up is a must. Make sure your pets get tested for
heartworm if they aren't on year-round preventive medication. Do parasites bug
your animal companions? Ask your doctor to recommend a safe flea and tick control
program. Made in the Shade Pets can get dehydrated quickly, so give them plenty
of fresh, clean water when it's hot outdoors. Make sure your pets have a shady
place to get out of the sun, be careful to not over-exercise them, and keep
them indoors when it's extremely hot.
Know the Warning Signs
Symptoms of overheating in pets
include excessive panting or difficulty breathing, increased heart and
respiratory rate, drooling, mild weakness, stupor or even collapse. They can
also include seizures, bloody diarrhea and vomit along with an elevated body
temperature of over 104 degrees. Animals with flat faces, like Pugs and Persian
cats, are more susceptible to heat stroke since they cannot pant as
effectively. These pets, along with the elderly, the overweight, and those with
heart or lung diseases, should be kept cool in air-conditioned rooms as much as
possible. No Parking!
Never leave your animals alone in a parked
vehicle.
"On a hot day, a parked car can
become a furnace in no time-even with the windows open-which could lead to
fatal heat stroke," says Dr. Louise Murray, Vice President of the ASPCA
Animal Hospital. Also, leaving pets unattended in cars in extreme weather is
illegal in several states.
Make a Safe Splash
Do not leave pets unsupervised around a
pool-not all dogs are good swimmers. Introduce your pets to water gradually and
make sure they wear flotation devices when on boats. Rinse your dog off after
swimming to remove chlorine or salt from his fur, and try to keep your dog from
drinking pool water, which contains chlorine and other chemicals that could
cause stomach upset. Screen Test "During warmer months, the ASPCA sees an
increase in injured animals as a result of High-Rise Syndrome, which occurs
when pets-mostly cats-fall out of windows or doors and are seriously or fatally
injured," says Dr. Murray. "Pet owners need to know that this is
completely preventable if they take simple precautions." Keep all
unscreened windows or doors in your home closed and make sure adjustable screens
are tightly secured.
Summer Style
Feel free to trim longer hair on your dog,
but never shave your dog: The layers of dogs' coats protect them from
overheating and sunburn. Brushing cats more often than usual can prevent
problems caused by excessive heat. And be sure that any sunscreen or insect
repellent product you use on your pets is labeled specifically for use on
animals. Street Smarts When the temperature is very high, don't let your dog
linger on hot asphalt. Being so close the ground, your pooch's body can heat up
quickly, and sensitive paw pads can burn. Keep walks during these times to a
minimum.
Avoid Chemicals
Commonly used flea and tick
products, rodenticides (mouse and rat baits), and lawn and garden insecticides
can be harmful to cats and dogs if ingested, so keep them out of reach. When
walking your dog, steer clear of areas that you suspect have been sprayed with
insecticides or other chemicals. Keep citronella candles, oil products and
insect coils out of pets' reach as well. Call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal
Poison Control
Center
Party Animals
Taking Fido to a backyard barbeque or
party? Remember that the food and drink offered to guests may be poisonous to
pets. Keep alcoholic beverages away from pets, as they can cause intoxication,
depression and comas. Similarly, remember that the snacks enjoyed by your human
friends should not be a treat for your pet; any change of diet, even for one
meal, may give your dog or cat severe digestive ailments. Avoid raisins,
grapes, onions, chocolate and products with the sweetener xylitol.
Fireworks Aren't Very Pet-riotic
Please leave pets at home when you head out to Fourth of July celebrations, and
never use fireworks around pets. Exposure to lit fireworks can potentially
result in severe burns or trauma to curious pets, and even unused fireworks can
be hazardous. Many types of fireworks contain potentially toxic substances such
as potassium nitrate, copper, chlorates, arsenic and other heavy metals.
Source:
http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/hot-weather-tips
