| Warm Weather Pet Tips |
| Warm Weather Pet Tips 1) Heat Stress Any pet can suffer from heat stress/exhaustion/overheating. However, the most susceptible are very young and old pets, pets who have previously suffered from heat stress, short-nosed breeds, overweight pets, and pets with heart or respiratory disorders. You can try to help prevent this condition by providing fresh, clean water at all times, adequate ventilation and air circulation in kennels or pens, plenty of shade outdoors, avoiding excessive exercise/activity during hot days, and never leaving your pet in a parked vehicle especially if the windows are up. Signs of heat stress are excessive panting and drooling, staring or anxious expression, failure to respond to commands, warm dry skin, high fever, rapid heartbeat, fatigue, muscular weakness or collapse. If you see these signs, try to reduce their body temperature by slowly covering them with cool (not cold) water via hose or immersion. You can also put ice packs around the head or neck. BUT, any animal that is showing these signs or you think might be overheating needs to be seen by a veterinarian immediately. This can be a life threatening disease and some damage may not be seen for 24-48 hours after the episode. 2)Heartworm Disease This condition is spread by mosquitoes, either ones outside or inside your house. It can be fatal to your pet. Your dog should be tested for heartworm disease with a simple yearly blood test. It can not be diagnosed with a stool sample. If the test is negative, ask us about the different varieties of heartworm preventative medication that can be prescribed. Our hospital requires a yearly heartworm test and annual exam be up to date before any medications are dispensed. It is recommended that your pet be on heartworm preventative every month of the year, especially because the pills help prevent several intestinal parasites also. 3)Fleas and Ticks Watch for these skin dwelling parasites all year round, but especially from the months of March until November in upstate New York. There is a large variety of preventive measures and treatments that can be purchased. There are some products that are only safe for dogs and can be harmful to cats, so it is very important to read the packaging very carefully. If your pet becomes infested with fleas, you must treat all pets in the household, plus the environment. If you notice a flea infestation in your house, be sure to dispose of vacuum cleaner bags after each use, or clean out your bagless chamber well after each use. It may be necessary to purchase a special flea spray for the home, which can be purchased at our clinic. Ticks are very prevalent in our area. They start to emerge in late February to early March, depending on the weather. They can spread Lyme disease, Anaplasmosis, and other tick borne diseases. Any tick should be removed when found on the pet. If you are unable to remove with fingers or tweezers at home, you can bring your pet into our clinic and we can remove them and you can purchase an "O'Tom Tick Remover" that works great at home. Tick prevention is the best way to ensure that your animal doesn't become sick or bring ticks into the house that can attach to your family members. If you live in a heavily tick infested area, a lyme disease vaccine is also available for dogs only. 4) Insect bites and stings Unusual swelling or soreness may be signs of a bite or sting. Occasionally, the swelling will be all over the head and neck. These animals should be seen immediately by a veterinarian in case there are serious side effects, such as trouble breathing or anaphylactic shock. 5) Vacationing When planning a vacation, you need to decide on what situation is best for your pet(s). Sometimes it is best to leave them either at a boarding facility or with friends/family caring for them in your home or their homes. Some animals do best if taken along on vacation with you. If you are leaving your pet behind: Ask your vet or other pet owners about their recommendations for boarding facilities or in home pet sitter. At Battenkill Veterinary, we offer boarding for animals 45 pounds and under, or those that need medical care. For animals over 45 pounds, we have a list of local kennels. It is important to visit the boarding facility to check its safety and cleanliness before leaving your pet. Make reservations ahead of time, especially if vacationing during the holidays or school breaks. Your pet should be up to date on all vaccinations. Some kennels require kennel cough vaccines every 6-12 months, and they need to be given at least 3-4 days before boarding. If on a special medication, be sure to bring enough to last for the whole vacation, along with written, clear instructions on use. Let them know how often to feed and how much food at each meal. Be sure your pet wears a collar with identification tags, and if a cat, it should be a safety collar. Leave your veterinarian's name, office number, and emergency numbers. Also, leave numbers where you can be reached. If taking your pet with you on vacation: Call ahead to be sure your pet is welcome at all hotels, motels, homes, or parks where you are staying. Make sure you have documentation of all up to date vaccines and a current health certificate. Take along their medical records and special medications. Be sure to bring their regular food, a supply of water, bedding, and toys. A collar with identification and telephone number, current photo, and having them microchipped can help if they are lost. Keep confined or on a leash at all times where they may be able to escape. Never allow your pet to travel with his/her head out the window of the car or in the back of the truck. The safest thing for you and your pet is to keep them confined to a crate or carrier whenever travelling in a vehicle. -Information courtesy of Ralston-Purina company |
