Keeping
Your Pets Cool: Special Care Needed in the Summer
By Nancy Cavanaugh
Summer is finally here. With summer's
arrival comes hot weather and special-care needs for our animal
friends, especially when taking them out in the car or to recreational
activities.
Insects
The summer is well known for torturing
your pets with ticks, ear mites, fleas, heartworms and mosquitoes,
to name a few. To help eliminate ticks and ear mites, make sure
you keep the grass cut short. Ticks and fleas can be further
eliminated by using powders and other medications. Be sure you
check with the vet to find out if your pet should have medication
to deal with possible heartworms. Mosquitoes can give pets Lyme
or West Nile disease, so it is best to keep them inside when
mosquitoes are particularly bad outside.
Burns
It is possible for your pet to get burned
paws from standing on hot pavement for too long. They can be
sunburned, especially if you cut their fur to less than one-inch
long. Pets with light-colored noses or fur on their ears may
get sunburned as well. You should put sunscreen on these areas.
They also may be burned if allowed to ride in the back of a
truck as the aluminum beds can get very hot.
Heatstroke
You should never leave a pet in the car,
even for a few minutes. On an 85-degree day, the car can reach
102 degrees in just 10 minutes. Rolling down the windows makes
very little difference. If you doubt it, try it yourself. The
general rule of thumb is: If it is too hot for you, then it
is too hot for your pet.
The signs of heatstroke include excessive
panting, glassy eye stare, dizziness, vomiting or collapse.
If you think your pet is suffering from heatstroke, move the
animal immediately into the shade and try to reduce his temperature
by soaking your pet with cool water and giving him water to
drink or ice cubes to lick. You shouldn't move the animal until
his temperature has been reduced. Once you have the temperature
down you should take him to the vet as soon as possible.
If you must keep your pet outdoors, be
sure he has plenty of water and shade to help keep him cool.
Rabbits are particularly susceptible to the heat. One trick
is to fill a gallon milk jug that has
had the top cut off and freeze the water overnight. Put it out
by your pet in the morning to help cool your pet and provide
cold water. You can also help them keep cool by cutting their
fur to an inch long.
Recreational Activities
When boating, have your pet wear a life
preserver, even if your pet is a strong swimmer. If the animal
slips or is thrown from the boat, he might become injured and
unable to swim on his own. The best times to take your pet out
to exercise with you, like jogging, or for their own exercise,
is early in the morning or when the sun is setting.
Taking pets to the beach, fairs, fireworks
or other places with a lot of people around can be very stressful
for your pet. The crowds can be very overwhelming, especially
if many people try to touch your pet and it is really loud.
It is much better to leave your pet at home.
Traveling
If you're going to be traveling away
from your area, be sure to locate a veterinarian or animal clinic
where you'll be staying. Have their phone number and address
handy in case you need it in an emergency.
Be sure to pack everything your pet will
need, including favorite foods, as they might not be readily
available when you arrive at your destination. You should also
check with airlines, buses or whatever mode of transport you
choose, as well as lodging, to make sure that pets may travel
with you.
While traveling by car, make sure you
stop frequently to exercise your pet and give him food and water
as well as a chance to go to the bathroom.
Do not travel with your pet in the back
of a truck because pets can fall out or be dragged along behind
the vehicle. It is also possible for your pet to be hit with
flying debris. In many communities, it is illegal to have your
pet in the back of a truck without the pet being properly crated.
Following these suggestions and using
a bit of common sense can make this summer a great one for you
and your pets. If you have specific questions, you should contact
your veterinarian.
