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Summer
Care Tips for Your Pets
Heat Stress -- Hot summers in
Chino Valley and other hot
places
Any pet can suffer heat stress, dogs,
cats, birds, horses, rabbits, etc. but some animals are
more prone or susceptible:
- very young or very old
animals
- short-nosed breeds of cats
and dogs
- overweight animals
- pets with cardiovascular or
respiratory problems
- heavy coated breeds
- animals with a history of
heat stress
- so-called arctic breeds of
dogs
- Rabbits cannot tolerate
temperatures above 85-90 degrees very well
Help Prevent
Heat Stress
- Provide plenty of clean,
fresh water at all times, change water daily
- provide adequate shade and/or
shelter from the sun and, if pets are kept in a
kennel, adequate air circulation
- avoid exercise during hot
weather
- hot pavement can mean hot or
burned paws, avoid walking your dog on hot pavement
or roads
- baby pools filled with cool
water can be fun and cooling for most dogs (use the
hard plastic pool)
- fill a gallon milk container
with water, freeze, place it in cage or in a cool
spot in the yard so rabbit, cat or dog can lay next
to it and get cool
-
NEVER leave pets in a parked
vehicle!!!!
Signs of Heat
Stress
Signs of heat stress include profuse
panting, salivation, staring and unresponsive, anxious
expression, warm dry skin, high fever, high heart rate,
muscle weakness, unable to move, collapse. Heat stress
can be fatal! Decrease your pets body temperature with
cool (not cold) water sprayed on their body (if you want
to use a bathtub, please do not drown your pet by
leaving the water running and leave your pet in the
tub), ice packs applied to the head, neck and least
haired part of the abdomen may help. Call your
veterinarian and get your pet help!!
When planning to take a vacation
don't forget your animal companions. Plan for them too.
You may choose to leave them behind or take them with
you. Where you are going, the activities you plan , the
length of stay, how you are traveling and your pet's
personality must all be considered.
Leaving Your Pet
Behind
- Ask friends and your
veterinarian for recommendations about kennels and
pet sitters in your area.
- If boarding, visit the
facility to meet the caretakers and check out the
cleanliness and safety of the operation.
- Ask about pick up times (late
evenings? Sundays? )
Using
a Pet Sitter
- If getting a sitter, meet
with the sitter in your home to make sure your pets
will like this person and that you do too.
- Make arrangements early so
you can be sure you get your first choice
- Make sure that all pets are
current on vaccinations and that certificates are
available especially for rabies (in case your pet is
bitten by a strange animal or bites someone)
- If your pets are on
medication, make sure that all instructions are
clear and that there is ample supply of the
medication to last the vacation
- Leave instructions on
feeding, play time and any unique behaviors that
your pet may have so no one is worried about
something that is normal
- Have identification on your
dog or cat
- Leave information on your
veterinarian, name , phone number, address and leave
a back-up choice in case of an emergency
- Leave the names of friends
and neighbors who know your pet and could help out
if necessary
- Leave your whereabouts and
how to reach you
- Call ahead and make sure that
all the places you will be staying will accept and
welcome your pet (many hotels, motels,
bed-and-breakfast inns, parks and homes do), be
specific about what kind of pet, how big, and
behavior (excellent I am sure)
- Vaccinations should be
current (Rabies laws vary by state), and a health
certificate may be required. Take along a summarized
medical record (health problems, surgeries,
medications, vaccinations, etc)
- Take your pets usual food and
a few days supply of your water, medications, food
and water dishes/bowls, bedding and toys
- Have identification on your
pet at all times with a phone number with area code.
Keep pets on leashes or in a kennel/crate. Keep a
good photo of your pet with you just in case they
get lost.
- Do not let pets hang their
heads out the window or ride in the back of the
truck unsecured.
- Do not let your pets "graze"
on any plants along the trip/trail some may be toxic
or have been sprayed with toxins (even dogs like to
eat greens)
- Check with local
veterinarians about local hazards (salmon poisoning,
poisonous toads, Lyme's disease, rattlesnakes, etc.)
- Some animals really like
their routine, try to do something just like at home
at least once a day
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