Summer Safety

With so many animals going missing or ending up at shelters around the 4th of July, please follow these tips to keep all your pets safe:

If your pet has a fear of or aversion to loud noises:

• Something as simple as turning on some soft music and moving your pet into an interior room with no windows can be helpful.
• An anxiety vest may work in some cases—if you don’t have one, try a snugly fitting t-shirt.
•  If you and your veterinarian do decide that anti-anxiety medication is your pet’s best bet, there are a few things to remember. First and foremost, give a practice dose of the medication before the big night to see how your pet responds to the medication. Second, never share the medication with another pet or give more than the recommended amount. If you do, you may end up spending the holiday at your local veterinary emergency clinic.
• While noise phobias are not as common in cats, they can and do happen. Fortunately, cats tend to hide when frightened. Checking in on your cats, having some quiet music on and keeping them indoors during the height of the fireworks is always a good idea.

From the ASPCA, read all their tips for fireworks safety.

Keep the following tips in mind while celebrating this summer holiday with your pets:

• Never leave alcoholic drinks unattended. It’s no secret that alcoholic beverages have the potential to poison pets. If ingested, your pet could become very intoxicated and weak, severely depressed or could go into a coma. Death from respiratory failure is also a possibility in severe cases.
• Keep an eye on those chemicals. Do not apply any sunscreen or insect repellent product to your pet that is not labeled specifically for use on animals. Ingestion of certain sunscreen products could result in drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst and lethargy. The misuse of insect repellents that contain the chemical DEET can lead to neurological problems. You should also keep citronella candles, insect coils and oil products out of pets’ reach, too.
• Be wary of where you keep your matches and lighter fluid.Certain types of matches contain chlorates, which could potentially damage blood cells and result in difficulty breathing—or even kidney disease in severe cases—if ingested. Lighter fluid comes with its own set of dangers, and can be irritating to skin. If ingested, it can produce gastrointestinal irritation and central nervous system depression. If lighter fluid is inhaled, aspiration pneumonia and breathing problems could develop.
• Keep your pets on their normal diet. Sudden changes in your pet’s diet (even if it’s just for one day) can sometimes lead to indigestion and diarrhea. This is particularly true for older animals who have more delicate digestive systems and specific nutritional requirements. Not to mention, foods such as onions, chocolate, coffee, avocado, grapes, raisins, salt and yeast dough can all be potentially toxic to companion animals. Consider packing some of your pet’s favorite usual treats to give them something special on the holiday!
• Remember to keep a no-glow zone. For parties and celebrations that last into the night, glow sticks and glow jewelry are popular party favors. While the luminescent substance contained in these products is not highly toxic, excessive drooling and gastrointestinal irritation could still result from ingestion, and intestinal blockage could occur from swallowing large pieces of the plastic containers. Be sure to keep those items reserved for your human guests and avoid putting them on pets.
• Keep gates and doors closed. Given all the excitement around Independence Day parties, it isn’t uncommon for some pets to get scared and run away. Be sure that all exits are securely closed, and that your pet is inside or in your sight at all times. Also, be sure that your pet is wearing proper identification tags, and that their microchip is up-to-date should they get out.

See all the ASPCA’s tips for enjoying the 4th with your pets here.

This is from an email received from petwellbeing.com – thank you to these folks for the following valuable tips!

Summer is here! And your pets cannot be more excited. Here are a few quick tips to help keep your pet safe this summer.

1. Do not leave your pet alone in your car – vehicles heat up quickly in the sun, and animals left in them can succumb to heat stroke within minutes. Heat stroke is life threatening for both dogs and cats. Signs to watch for include heavy, loud breathing; a staggering gait; a bright red tongue or gum tissue; vomiting; diarrhea (sometimes blood); or even seizures. If heat stroke is suspected, bring the animal to a cool place, put cold compresses on its belly, or wet it down. Because this is a medical emergency, take your pet to your veterinarian as quickly as possible.

2. Overheating – Short nosed dogs, like Pugs and Bulldogs, are particularly susceptible to overheating during hot, humid days. To prevent your dog from overheating, do not exercise her in very hot weather. If you want to run or walk with your dog, do it in the cool hours of the early morning or late evening. And be careful when walking your dog on hot pavement, as it can sometimes burn the footpads.

3. Shade and Water – Dogs and cats need a cool, shady place to sleep during hot weather, as well as plenty of clean, fresh water that is accessible at all times. Feed your dog or cat in the cooler hours of the day. Older animals have a hard time in hot weather, so be extra sensitive to their needs during the hottest hours of the day.

4. Risk of Disease – Some diseases may be more prevalent during warmer months. Parvovirus tends to flourish in hotter weather. Also, during the summer months, pets often spend more time outdoors, increasing their chances of encountering wildlife (possible rabies carriers). Your veterinarian can help you decide the best ways to prevent diseases in your area.

5. Heartworm, Flea and Tick Prevention – If your dog hasn’t been tested for heartworm this year, you may want to see your veterinarian and discuss prevention. Heartworm is transmitted by mosquitoes, and the best time to attempt prevention is between June and November. Additionally, making sure your pet is free of fleas and ticks reduces the chances of other health problems. Many fleas and ticks carry infectious diseases that can affect your pet (e.g. Lyme Disease).

6. Keep your pet well groomed – Daily brushing or combing lets you check for fleas and ticks. Ticks can carry infectious diseases and fleas can cause allergic reactions and “hot spots” in dogs. Hot spots are large, wet lesions that appear suddenly in areas where the dog has scratched. See your veterinarian for flea and tick preventives or if a hot spot appears.

7. Keep dogs away from picnic garbage – Ingesting corncobs and chicken bones can be life threatening. Keep an eye on your dog!

8. Water Safety – Believe it or not, not all dogs can swim (or swim well)! Know your dog’s abilities in water before leaving him or her unattended around a swimming pool or other water. Consider a life vest if your dog is not a strong swimmer.

9. Open Window Safety – Use a heavy screen on windows or keep them closed if you have cats. During the summer, the number of cats suffering from “high rise” syndrome, or falling from windows, increases dramatically. Contrary to myth, cats do not always land on their feet when falling from heights. The most severe injuries occur when cats fall from second- or third-floor windows.
And most of all – have fun with your pet companions!