Protecting pets from the heat
Animals, like people, can succumb to heat stroke. During the hot summer months, it is important for pet owners to take precautions to protect animals outdoors.
"There are several things pet owners can do to keep their animals safe over the summer. The two most important things are to have plenty of adequate shade to keep cool under and having enough cold, clean water. Water should be changed often throughout the day to not become too hot. Also, there are pet pads now that are filled with gel to stay cold longer, said veterinarian Stephanie Hartfield.
"Pets need treatment as soon as possible because their organs can shut down and they can die of heatstroke. Pets have to cool down slowly or they can have respiratory or organ failure if the temperature comes down too quickly," Hartfield said.
Backyards are not the only places to find overheated pets. Pet owners should be aware that leaving animals in cars is a dangerous idea. Scientists studies conducted for the July 2005 issue of "Pediatrics" magazine saw that temperatures inside 'a car's interior can heat up by an average of 40 degrees F within an hour, regardless of ambient temperature. Eighty percent of the temperature rise occurred within the first half-hour.' A homeowner in Canada conducted an experiment on temperatures inside cars and found that temperatures within the vehicle rose from about 80 degrees Fahrenheit to over 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
"It only takes a few minutes for cars to reach a temperature that can cause pets discomfort. I have asked a cop to open up a car to rescue a dog that was overheating," Hartfield said.
Pools are often thought of as a solution to keeping pets cool. Baby pools provide enough water to cool even the largest of dogs. However, in ground pools can create problems for pet owners. Pets in pools can quickly become disoriented and can drown.
"People have to watch dogs in pools because they will jump in and after swimming around for so long will get tired. They can also get disoriented and not remember how to get back out the pool which can lead to drowning. Some pet companies have ramps that owners can place on the edge of pools so dogs can get out easily," Hartfield said.
Heat is not the only difficulty pet owners will face this summer. Ticks and fleas are also common for outdoor pets. People can minimize their pets' chances of getting pests by avoiding tall grass and keeping a trimmed yard. For infestations inside the home, the Animal Protection Institute recommends vacuuming regularly and disposing of the vacuum bag. Preventive treatments also work to reduce the risk of having fleas or ticks.
"Be careful of over-the-counter medicines. Some of them are toxic to cats, and most of them don't work. Cats that have reactions to the medicine will have seizures, muscle twitches, and can cause the animals to salivate if they lick the treatment location and sometimes they vomit. Dogs usually do not have reactions to the medicines unless it is a small dog that becomes lethargic," Hartfield said.
