Pet Talk – 4 Tips That Could Save Your Pet’s Life This Summer

by Jacqueline Nicoll, K & Co. Marketing – 

It’s summertime, the weather is beautiful and you’re excited! However, like anything in life, there can be too much of a good thing. Over-exposure and underestimation of heat is unfortunately too commonplace, whether human or animal. It can actually take only 10 minutes for the inside of your car to reach a temperature that can cause heat stroke. Heavy panting, excessive drooling, red or purple tongue and gums, racing heartbeat, seizures or tremors, high body temperature, diarrhea, lack of coordination, vomiting, collapse, loss of consciousness and death are all manifestations. However, heat stroke and other medical issues resulting from a location being too hot can definitely occur elsewhere.

We now know the potential dangers, so what can you do to prevent the side effects of high temperatures from harming your pet? For starters, always ensure they have access to fresh water, a cool place to lay whether inside or outside, and are never left inside a vehicle as the temperature rises much faster without the flow of air. Restrict exercise on hotter days, with walks occurring early in the morning or evening instead. To cool your pet, spray them down with lukewarm water, but not ice cold, as you’ll also want to avoid dramatically changing the temperature.

You can protect your pet’s paws from potential painful skin damage by using a very simple test to determine if it’s too hot for them. Place the back of your hand on the surface where you intend to walk and hold it there for seven seconds. Since skin damage occurs quite quickly, if it feels too hot or starts to feel hotter in that timeframe, it is too hot for your pet to walk on! Even at 20° and up, there is always a risk of heat stroke or exhaustion. Certain breeds may still be at risk at lower temperatures so being aware of your pet’s breed requirements is key.

We’ve mentioned heat, but what about water? Water intoxication is also a very real danger. If you’ve got a dog who loves to swim, or an overly hot day comes your way, although rare, consuming too much water too quickly can lead to low sodium levels which can cause cells to fill up with water and swell. Signs of this can manifest in loss of coordination, lethargy, bloating, vomiting, glazed eyes, excessive salivation, difficulty breathing, seizures and coma. It can even be fatal, especially for smaller dogs. Dogs are recommended to have breaks in between stretches of playing in or with water. Hydrate incrementally, rather than risking over hydration due to the animal becoming too thirsty.

Now, what about when heat meets water? Well, algae poisoning can occur. If your pet ingests this water, it can cause serious health effects, including a potential rash just with skin contact. Watch for warning signage, investigate safer places and be aware that lakes with more stagnant waters are riskier.

Finally, while enjoying mother nature, check for ticks after every adventure. It’s a myth that ticks can easily be seen as they are often photographed once already engorged from a feast of blood. They are relatively small, at about 3-5mm, and love to find a host to bury themselves into. Hard-to-see areas such as armpits, behind the legs, around the eyelids, in or around ears and between the toes should be checked. Tick-borne illness can cause fever, abnormal lethargy and joint pain, but if detected at its earliest stages, treatment is very successful. Consulting your veterinarian for the best type of tick prevention and any other breed specific requirements are always a good idea for safe summer fun!