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Spotlight on Summer Safety

No doubt about it – the heat is on, and that signals danger to our furry families. Many animals—especially those that live outdoors—struggle to keep cool because they can’t process heat as effectively as we do.

Here are some tips for keeping your fur-covered friend safe as the mercury rises:

  • Never leave your pet in the car on warm, or even sunny spring and summer daysEven with a window cracked on a 70o day, the interior of your car can reach 100o in as little as 20 minutes.
  • Hot asphalt will scorch your pet’s paws. Before you head out for a walk, put your own palm on the pavement—if it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for your pooch.
  • Do not shave or trim your pet. A pet’s coat is an important part of her natural cooling system, as it protects the skin from the sun.
  • Watch your pets carefully around swimming pools, lakes, and ponds. Ideally, personal backyard pools should be gated to restrict access. Not all pets are good swimmers, and we have already seen a few drowning cases this year.
  • Speaking of water, don’t let your pet drink from a lake, pool, pool, or river. Blue-green algae, chemicals, and bacteria can post serious threats to your pet’s health.
  • Copperhead snakes are found in our area and are venomous. Keep your pet leashed, on trails, and no sniffing where you can’t see to avoid these very dangerous bites.
  • You should use flea, tick, and heartworm preventatives all year round, but it’s even more crucial in the summer when pests treat your pet like an all-you-can-eat buffet.

During these hot days, make sure to exercise your pet in the cooler morning and evening hours, and provide plenty of cool, fresh water and shade. It’s also important that you be able to recognize the warning signs of heat stroke and exhaustion. They include:

  • Anxiousness
  • Excessive panting
  • Restlessness
  • Excessive drooling
  • Unsteadiness
  • Abnormal gum and tongue color

These symptoms can quickly advance to seizures, collapse, vomiting, and bloody diarrhea. If your pet exhibits any of these symptoms, call us immediately at (903) 617-6891. And stay safe out there!