Monday, July 6, 2015

Summer Hazards



Dr. David Gagnon
Summertime is a favorite time of year for many people.  The warm, sunny weather allows us to spend time outside and not deal with the frustrations of the cold – shoveling, salting, slipping, bundling up just to take the dog out for a brief potty trip.  However, the warmth, the sun, and extra time outdoors can pose extra threats to our pets.

Every year, we hear about babies and pets being left in hot cars.  Anyone who has sat in a car on an 80 degree day can attest to how quickly you break a sweat.  Sweating is a great way for us to cool off, but the best our dogs can do is pant, which isn’t enough if they’re in a hot car for very long.  If you and your pet are out for a drive, try to make plans to get them indoors instead of leaving them in the car, even for a quick trip into the grocery store.  We all hear about people whose 2 minute trip turned into something much longer.  Pets can suffer from dehydration, heat stroke, or even death if exposed to heat long enough.




Something else people don’t consider much is the temperature of the ground.  We wear shoes, so our bare skin isn’t in contact with the hot concrete.  Our dogs usually don’t have any protective barrier between their pads and the ground.  On a hot and sunny day, the temperature of the road surface can easily exceed 100 degrees, resulting in burns to their pads.  Pads are very sensitive to pain, whether burned, cut, or punctured.  If you’re going outside, please make it a brief trip, stay on the grass, or have your dog wear booties.



Having just celebrated our Independence Day, fireworks have been on display all over.  Summer also comes with its share of thunderstorms.  For nervous animals, these loud noises can cause panic.  Many hide and tremble, while others show destructive behavior, chewing up their kennels, walls, or furniture, while some decide to run away.  There are several options for reducing a pet’s anxiety, including playing calming music, playing with a toy to keep his/her mind off of the noise, over-the-counter anxiety remedies, and prescription medications.
 

Spending a lot of time outdoors, pets can sniff up all sorts of things that may be harmful to them.  Whether littered or intentionally placed outside (pesticides), pets can find many different toxins that may spell trouble for their health.



If you are concerned about your pet suffering from a heat-related illness or toxin ingestion, call your veterinarian immediately!  In the meantime, enjoy the nice weather while you can; winter will be here before you know it!