Hot Weather Care Guidelines
Baby It's Hot Out There…
Here are some hot weather summer tips for you and for anyone with whom you would like to share it:
- Remember that dogs and cats do not sweat, so it is more difficult for them to cool themselves. With this hot weather, be sure your dog is indoors or has a shady spot outside and PLENTY of water.
- As the temperatures increase, water left outside will become warm, so adding ice to the water bowl will help keep it cool.
- It is too hot to exercise with your dog, even a dog in good shape. Schedule your dog walks for early mornings and evenings.
- Cats will find hiding spots outside where they can get out of the sun. This is a good time to keep your cat inside.
- Cats and dogs can get sunburn – especially those with white fur, and their paw pads can burn on hot surfaces like asphalt and cement.
- Never leave your cat or dog in the car, even with windows open.
Signs of Heat Exhaustion and Impending Heat Stroke:
Dogs and cats start out at a higher body temperature than ours, so getting hot enough to experience heat exhaustion or stroke is easy in this weather.
Heat exhaustion and Stroke can cause death. If you suspect heat stroke in your dog or cat, seek veterinary care immediately.
- Excessive panting and rapid heart rate
- Dazed appearance, blank stare
- Any panting in cats
In the case of heat exhaustion, place the cat/dog in a bathtub with cool water or wet him/her with cool water and contact a veterinarian.
Who loves the rain (besides ducks)?
Mosquitos and Fleas, That's Who!
This is the time of year during which your cat and dog is most at risk for heartworm disease, which is passed by mosquitoes. Be sure your dog has been heartworm tested, and that both your cat and dog are on heartworm preventative.
What to do when you have an infestation:
Fleas love this moisture, and when they in full force, you can bring them into the house on your shoes. The simplest approach to flea control are products you can get through FACE or your full-service veterinarian.
There are a lot of over-the-counter flea control products, and individually, they are cheaper than Advantage and Frontline. However, they are often not as effective, so you end up purchasing many products and over-applying them. This over-application of store-bought flea and tick products is dangerous to your dog and cat and children.
The simple approach:
Apply Advantage or Frontline to all the dogs and cats in the household.
Vacuum the house daily or twice daily and remove the vacuum bag or dump the canister outside, down the street or to a nearby dumpster.
Topical Flea/Tick Treatment Overdosing/Allergic Reaction:
If you have overdosed your dog or cat with flea and/or tick prevention, or if your dog/cat seems to be experiencing an allergic reaction to the topical treatment: wash them, head-to-toe as soon as possible with Dawn dish soap. Do not reapply any topical treatment for 1-2 weeks.
Signs of an allergic reaction to the topical application: excessive panting, pupil dilation, seizures, hiding, and hair loss at the application site.
Summer = Allergies:
Allergies can mean misery for humans and animals. If your dog or cat experiences hair loss or is scratching/chewing excessively, contact a veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment.
Allergies can result from fleas or other summer irritants.
Dogs suffering from Mange will show signs similar to allergies.
