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| 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!
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