Summer Time Tips For Your Pets

Hello fellow blog followers!

We all know how hot the New England summers can be with the humidity, So here are some summer time tips for your pets.

• Keep your pets in the shade whenever possible, especially on hot days.
• Be sure to always have plenty of fresh water available as well as adequate ventilation.
• Do not leave your pet unattended in your car, not even with the windows open for more than 5 minutes. The inside of the car's temperature can rise very quickly causing major problems for your beloved pet.
• Some of you may take your best dog buddie for a jog during the day. On really hot days you may want to re-think the jog, or run in the early morning when it is cooler.

What can happen?
The animal can become hyperthermic very quickly. Heat exhaustion is serious and requires veterinary attention immediately.

Some signs of this include:

• Heavy panting
• Open mouthed breathing
• Drooling
• Weakness and may collapse
• Glazed eyes
• Vomiting
• Convulsions or deep red or purple tongue

In the event of such heat exposure, emergency measures need to be taken immediately to bring down the body temperature and prevent severe irreversible changes, that could lead to death. The best thing to do in such an event is to see your veterinarian.

If you do notice any of these signs of heat exhaustion, you can hose your pet down with cool water and bring him to the veterinarian ASAP for treatment, which may include IV fluids, blood tests to assess internal damage, and close monitoring.

Keep checking in on our posts and other tips!

-Neponset Animal Hospital