Protect Your Pets from Summer Scorchers
We are available 24 hours a day. If you are not sure if your pet needs to be seen, call us! One of the biggest mistakes owners make is to wait several days before bringing their sick pet in. Treatment is much more successful if started early!
The Dangers of Heatstroke
With the dog days of summer before us, pet owners should be aware of the dangers of heatstroke in pets. The American Animal Hospital Association offers a few tips to protect pets during summer's heat waves.
Parked cars are potential death traps for pets during warm months. Even on a mild sunny day, the temperature inside a car can quickly climb to more than 120 degrees F. Never leave your pet alone in a parked car.
If your pet lives outdoors, make sure there is adequate shelter for protection from the mid-day sun and heat. Outdoor kennels should be well ventilated and in a shaded area. There should always be some shade for the pet to get out of the sun. Also, make sure there is plenty of fresh drinking water available to your pet. The bowl should be placed in a shaded area where it cannot be heated by the sun. Provide a few bowls in case your pet tips one over.
Exercise is important, but overexertion during hot weather commonly causes heat stress. Avoid excessive exercise during hot days. And keep your pet well groomed. Watch for hair mats, which can retain heat for your animal.
The warning signs of heat stroke include panting staring or anxious expressions, a refusal to obey commands, warm and dry skin, high fever, rapid heartbeat and possibly vomiting. If your pet shows these signs, lower the body temperature quickly with cool water, either by immersion or by spraying thoroughly with a garden hose. But be careful not to overcool your pet, and never use ice. Call your veterinarian immediately.
Heatstroke is a life-threatening condition that results when pets cannot adequately rid themselves of excessive body heat. Pets rely on panting to cool down. Although panting is a very efficient way to control body heat, it is severely limited in areas of high humidity or low ventilation. The intake of cool, fresh water improves the cooling effects of panting. | 
