Summer Safety for Your Pet

Summer is a time to enjoy outdoor activities with your family, friends, and pets. However, pets are very susceptible to the heat. Leaving pets in cars while you do errands, even with the windows rolled down can lead to death. For example, on an 85°F day, the temperature inside a car with the windows open can reach 102°F in 10 minutes. Within 20 minutes can reach 120°F or higher. Double-coated dogs, overweight pets, black or dark colored pets, and breeds with short snouts like bulldogs, pugs, boxers, etc. are more susceptible to heat stroke because of their compromised cooling ability.

Heatstroke doesn't just happen in cars. Pets that are kept outdoors are at risk. They must have access to shade and water. Pets like rabbits are especially susceptible to the heat. Outdoor hutches should be moved out of the sun and rabbits should be provided with plenty of water.

It is important to know the signs of heatstroke so that you can recognize when your pet is overheating. Pets with heatstroke may pant excessively, drool, vomit, have diarrhea, be listless, and/or have muscle tremors. Pets with severe heatstroke may have pale gums, difficulty walking, may collapse, and/or have seizures.

Owners of pets with heatstroke should bring them immediately to a veterinary clinic. Owners can wet down their pets with cool water to begin the cooling process. But the most important thing to do is get your pet to a veterinarian as soon as possible so the veterinary staff can begin treatment.

Another cause for concern for pets in the summer is thermal sunburns. Pets can get sunburns just like people. Most often, pets get sunburns to the ears an nose. Pets with light-colored skin are most at risk, particularly cats white ears and faces and dogs with pale skin and noses. It is best for pets to avoid the sun between the hours of 11 am and 4 pm. Waterproof sunscreen can be applied in small amounts to the ears of cats and exposed areas of dogs to prevent sunburns. Thermal burns can also occur on the pads of paws from walking across the pavement. Very hot beach sand can also burn paws and cause heatstroke. Hot surfaces should be avoided or owners can purchase booties to protect pets' feet.

In warm weather, parasites that may affect your pet are prevalent. Fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes are the most common external parasites in warm months. For every flea found on a pet, there are usually hundreds more in various stages of growth in bedding, carpets and furniture. If your pet already has fleas it is important to also decontaminate the environment by cleaning the carpets and bedding of pets and people. Fleas can cause such problems as flea allergy dermatitis and tapeworm. If a pet has fleas, a monthly application of a topical product such as Advantage or Frontline can often prevent further itching and scratching. These products work by interfering with the metabolic processes of fleas, and possibly ticks depending on the product. Ticks can transmit Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. If found, ticks should be removed from the site as soon as possible to prevent transmission of diseases. Lyme disease can be prevented by yearly vaccinations. Mosquitoes are also much more abundant during summer months. Heartworm disease is transmitted by mosquitoes and can be prevented by the use of oral medication such as Interceptor or Sentinel. These medications also prevent the transmission of internal parasites like whipworm, roundworm, and hookworm.

Another possible cause for concern in the summer are harmful chemicals. Pets may get into chemicals used in cars or located in open containers. Soaps and detergents used to clean or shine vehicles can irritate animals' gums, cause vomiting, and diarrhea. Plant fertilizers can also be toxic and at the very least an cause stomach irritation. Pesticides for the home and garden (made of organophosphates) cause continuous muscle and nerve stimulation when ingested, This results in salivation, lacrimation, urination, defecation, muscle twitches, imbalance, seizures, respiratory problems, and possibly death, To prevent such problems, pets should not be kept in the same areas as poisonous products and these items should be stored in closed containers in locked cabinets out of the reach of animals.

It is always important to have a constant source of water for pets. Animals' water requirements increase with the temperature an their activity level. Pets that walk, hike, jog and those that are immunocompromised, overweight, or older need more water than sedentary pets. When traveling, owners should consider freezing part of their pets' water so that they can have cool water and ice. Summer treats can be made for pets by freezing broth in ice cube trays.

Pets can overexert themselves just like humans, especially when exercising in the summer heat. When planning exercise, keep in mind your pet's exercise tolerance, overall physical condition, and readiness for exercise. Exercise your pets in the cooler hours of the day and not during the hours of 11 am and 4 pm when there is peak sun exposure,

Pets should also be well supervised around pools, lakes, and ponds. Pets in these areas can drown or be exposed to water contaminated by poisons, gasoline, and infective protozoan organisms. Owners should consider placing a life-preserver on their pets when they are near bodies of water.

Animals can be easily frightened by fireworks used on fourth of July. Scared pets might dig out of yards or jump fences. If these loud noises cannot be avoided, owners can ask their veterinarian about prescribing a sedative that may calm pets in such situations. Pets should have current identification tags and a microchip implantation if possible to help with identification if they get out of the yard. Owners should also have proof of a current rabies vaccination in case their pet bites another pet.

Keep in mind during the summer that pets can be affected by heat, pests, poisons, and water. Keep your pet safe by thinking ahead about what needs your pet may have.

Source: Veterinary Technician May 2003