Our pets depend on us for their daily care and we must be responsible to insure their safety during these potentially dangerously hot days of summer. A visit to your veterinarian for summer check-up is a must; add to that a test for heartworm.
The summer's heat is potentially deadly for your pet. On days of high temperatures and index, whenever possible keep your pet at home and in the house. Remember that dogs and cats suffer from the same problems as we humans, such as overheating, dehydration and in some cases, even sunburn.
We Americans love to take our pets with us in the car for rides and doing errands. However, leaving a pet in a locked car spells disaster for the pet. Most people do not realize that the temperature can skyrocket after just a few minutes and your car can be a pressure cooker.
Did you know that dogs for example, are designed to conserve heat? Their sweat glands, which exist on their nose and pads of their feet, are inadequate for cooling during hot days. Panting and drinking water helps cool them, but if they only have overheated air to breathe, dogs can suffer brain and organ damage after just 15 minutes.
Always carry a gallon thermos filled with cold, fresh water when traveling with your pet. When temperatures are high, do not let your dog stand on hot asphalt. His or her body can heat up quickly and sensitive paw pads can burn. Spending a day at the beach is a bad idea unless you can guarantee a shaded spot and plenty of fresh water of your pet. A romp in the ocean should be followed with a rinse off of the salty water.
Do not apply any sunscreen or insect repellent product to your pet that is not labeled specifically for use on animals. Ingestion of sunscreen products can result in drooling, diarrhea, excessive thirst and lethargy. Misuse of inset repellent that contains DEET can lead to neurological problems. Read the label - know the symptoms - keep items that can harm your pet out of their reach.
In the event of an emergency, it is important to identify the symptoms of heat stress caused by exposure to extreme temperatures. Check your pet for signs of heavy panting, glazed eyes, rapid heartbeat, restlessness, excessive thirst, lethargy, fever, dizziness, lack of coordination, profuse salivation, vomiting, deep red tongue and unconsciousness.
Follow these tips from the Humane Society:
Move the animal into the shade or an air-conditioned area
Apply ice packs or cold towels to their head, neck, and chest or immerse her in cool (not cold) water
Let her drink small amounts of cool water or lick ice cubes
Take her directly to your veterinarian
Be sensitive to older and overweight animals in hot weather. Brachycephalic or snub-nosed dogs such as bulldogs, pugs, Boston terriers, Lhasa apsos and shih tzus, as well as those with heart or lung problems should be kept in air conditioned areas.
Travelling by Air
Going on an airplane with your pet? Traveling can be highly stressful for both you and your pet. But with thoughtful preparation you can ensure a safe and comfortable trip for everyone.
First and foremost, whenever possible book a non-stop or direct flight for you and your pet. This will limit the time your pet will be in a cart on the tarmac waiting to be loaded on the aircraft. Travel in the early morning or after 7pm is best, since the temperatures will be lowest at this time of day.
Providing your companion is small enough, the preferred way to travel by air is in a Sherpa Bag(R) and in the passenger compartment with you. If this is not possible and your pet is traveling as checked baggage or as air cargo, confirm your pet's reservation in advance of the day of travel. Airlines, especially in air cargo, will not accept animals for transportation if the temperature in holding area is expected and/or forecasted to exceed 85'F.
Be sure that both the gate and In-flight personnel are aware that you have a pet in the baggage compartment. In the event of a delay, extra precaution and care can therefore be taken by airline personnel to protect your pet. If you have any concerns about the welfare of your pet, insist that airline personnel check on the animal whenever feasible. In some situations it may be necessary to remove the pet from the cargo hold.
For more information visit:
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) at www.aspca.org
The Humane Society at www.hsus.org
U.S. Department of Agriculture - Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (APHS) at www.aphis.usda.gov/subjects/animal_welfare/
The American Red Cross at www.redcross.org/preparedness/cdc_english/kit.asp
AAA "Traveling With Your Pet", The AAA Pet Book - 8th Edition www.ouraaa.com/discounts/shop/travelstore/index.html
