June 6, 2008

Tips for pet health this spring, summer

With forecasts of temperatures soaring to three digits this weekend, the Humane Society is providing a number of tips about helping pets stay healthy throughout the spring and summer.

First and foremost, pets left outdoors need plenty of shade. Either provide a covered porch or patio, a nice shady tree or let your pet remain indoors during the hot hours. Pets need plenty of fresh cool water available at all times. Rabbits are extremely sensitive to heat and should not be left in cages outdoors.

Leaving your pet in the car is hazardous to its health! When it is just 80 degrees outside, a car can heat up to over 120 degrees in just minutes! In a temperature that high, your pet could easily die. Leave your pet at home even when making short errands in your car.

Pets can’t sweat like people do when they get hot. To cool themselves off they must seek shade, pant and drink extra water. If they cannot cool themselves, they may develop heatstroke, a life-threatening situation. Warning signs are heavy panting, glazed eyes, rapid pulse, dizziness, vomiting, a deep red or purple tongue and general confusion.

Contact your vet immediately if you suspect that your pet is suffering from heatstroke. To avoid situations that could bring on heatstroke, never leave your pet in a car alone, don’t give pets short haircuts (they could get sunburn) and make sure that your pet always has access to shade and cool fresh water.

Both dogs and cats can greatly benefit from a good daily or weekly brushing along with a weekly to monthly bath for dogs. Bathing and brushing helps get rid of the dead hair, helps rid the skin of bacteria, helps with flea control, makes your pet smell better and also allows you to inspect your pet’s skin and coat for any problems.

If you are going to bath your pet use a shampoo that is designed just for your pet. Human shampoo is too harsh for pets and will cause skin irritation. And don’t go crazy with the sheers thinking you’re helping your pet stay cool. Your pet’s coat actually helps to insulate him from hot and cold temperatures.

Spring and summer are the worse time of year for fleas and ticks. Severe flea infestations can result in physical discomfort and even death in young animals. Several new topical treatments that you apply monthly, can completely free your pet of these pests. Consult your vet about ADVANTAGE (kills and repels just fleas for up to one month with just one application) and FRONTLINE (kills fleas and ticks for one month per application). It is important to clean your pet’s bedding on a weekly or bi-weekly basis to help keep these pests under control.

This is a life-threatening parasite transmitted in dogs and cats by mosquito bites. Heartworms damage the heart, lungs and other organs. Symptoms include weight loss, coughing, listlessness and rapid tiring. Giving a once a month oral medication easily prevents this disease medication to your pet. Before starting any heartworm prevention program with your pet, they first must receive a heartworm test.

Foxtails, or barbed seeds of dried grasses and weeds, can be dangerous to your pet. They enter into your pet’s nose, eyes, ears and can travel deeper throughout the body.

Before beginning an exercise program with your pet, check with your vet to make sure that your pet is physically capable of what you have planned for them. Especially if your pet is older, overweight, arthritic or short-faced (makes it difficult to breath during heavy exercise).

Young dogs (12 months and under) should not be allowed to jog with you as they are still growing and can do damage to their muscular and skeletal structure.

Always keep your dog on a leash and start slowly if your pet is out of shape. Limit exercise to early morning or evening to beat the heat. Offer cool, fresh water at frequent intervals (every 15 minutes). Sidewalks can heat up to a pad searing temperature so keep your pets off the pavement in the heat of day.