Pet Health Tips Brought to You By Pet-A-Medic

SUMMER
Pet Health Tips

Have plenty of fresh water available for your pet, inside & out. By using a heavy, porcelain or ceramic bowl, the water will stay 10% to 20% cooler. (Plastic and aluminum tend to get very hot, which in turn warms up the water.) Leave the water bowls in shady areas under overhangs to entice your pets out of the sun. Outside food & water bowls should be placed in a larger bowl or pan containing a few inches of water to keep ants out of the pets bowl.
Provide plenty of shade for outdoor pets. Pets do not sweat to keep cool as humans do. Installing a fan or mister on a shaded porch can prevent heatstroke -- of course, pets inside air-conditioned houses are the safest. If you can’t keep your dogs indoors, get an insulated doghouse to help keep their temperature down. Keep birds from overheating by setting up a misting system in your aviaries.
Be sure your pet has current ID tags at all times. Keep a current photo & description of your pet on hand. It will prove useful in the event your pet becomes lost on vacation or at home. Don't plan a trip without thoroughly checking regulations for traveling with and/or boarding your pet.
Watch for spills of fertilizer, car coolant, garbage & yard trimmings -- ingestion could be fatal. Keep your pet well groomed and watch for ticks & fleas.
Always supervise your pet around pools & lakes. Beware of fishhooks, fishing line, sharp rocks and other dangers to your pet. Many pets drown each year in backyard swimming pools. Be especially watchful of kittens and puppies around the pool. Teach your dog how to get out of your pool by placing the dog in the pool with you and gently guiding it to the steps. Do this over and over until the dog can find its way out of the pool without your help. Review this lesson every summer. You can do this with cats too. Don't assume your pet knows how to swim. If you take your pet to the lake or out on a boat, get a pet life vest.
Find out in advance if YOUR local Emergency Clinic carries snakebite vaccine (anti-venom). If your pet gets bitten by a rattlesnake, subdue the animal, apply an ice pack, carry him to the car and immediately transport him to the Vet.
Keep you pet inside and secure during Fourth of July Fireworks! Many dogs & cats end up in shelters or hit by cars once scared by the noise.
Don't leave your pet unattended in a car! Even with the windows open, a parked car can quickly reach 150 degrees and higher!
Hot concrete & asphalt can burn precious paws! Exercise your pets early, during the cool part of the day and walk them on grass. Remember, if it's too hot for your bare feet, it's too hot for paws.
Don't take your pet to the lake/beach unless you can provide shade & fresh water.
Don't bike or roller blade with your pet for any length of time -- your pet could quickly get heat stroke which can cause permanent brain damage and death.
Never use rat poison, snail bait pellets (they have a salty taste dog’s love but can cause seizures) or moth balls, all of which are poisonous to your pet.

HEAT STROKE AND YOUR PETS

Mary adored her Dachshund Daisy and always wanted her by her side. One 85F day, while the "girls" were out for a car ride, Mary made a quick stop at the convenience store for a jug of milk. In the store, she encountered a new cashier who was having difficulty working the cash register. The line of impatient customers grew and Mary was delayed returning to the car and her precious Dixie. Ten minutes passed and although the windows were cracked open, the temperature inside climbed to 125 degrees! Daisy was in distress...she was panting profusely, her gums were bright red, her heart was racing, there was foam around her mouth -- Daisy was suffering from Heatstroke.

It only takes a short period of time for an animal left in a car to get into a deadly situation! Pets dont sweat to regulate their body temperatures (normally 100.4F 102.5F). Dogs pant to exchange cooler outside air with the warm humid air in their lungs while cat’s don’t usually pant until they are overwhelmed by the heat. If the outside air isn’t cooler than their body temperature, an animal can succumb to Heatstroke which can cause brain damage, kidney failure, cardiac arrest and death. Old and overweight pets as well as short-nosed breeds are at the greatest risk.

Besides being left in a parked car, Heatstroke can occur if an animal is left outside without shade and water; from blow dryers and cage dryers at the groomers; from matted fur that traps heat close to the body; from crates or carriers that aren’t properly ventilated or even from exercise during the hottest parts of the day.

WHAT TO DO:

Move your pet to a cooler environment. Indoors is best but even a shady sidewalk or grassy area can help.
Place pet in a tub or wading pool, or use a hose to wet his skin, belly, arm pits, groin and paws. Remember on hot days water coming out of a hose can initially be very hot. Take care to let water run till cool before spraying on your pet. You can also cover animal with wet towels and use a cold pack around neck (30 seconds on one side and then 30 seconds on the other).
Offer water or an electrolyte replenisher like Pedialyte or K9 Quencher, but don’t force your pet to drink. Fluids may need to be given intravenously at the Vet.
Check temperature under the tail every 5 minutes and stop cooling process at 103*F.
Get to Vet or Emergency Center ASAP. Be prepared to treat for Shock and administer Rescue Breathing & CPR.

Fortunately for Daisy, Mary was trained in Pet First-Aid & CPR and knew what to do to save the life of her precious Dachshund. She learned her lesson though and never again took Daisy for a car ride if shed have to be left alone for even a very short time.

WINTER/HOLIDAY
Pet Health Tips

Put yourself in your dog or cat's paws...at the end of each year, boxes are dragged from the garage or attic and unusual things happen in their home. A tree is brought INDOORS; shiny, dangly things are hung all around and there's always food on the counter or baking in the oven while people come in and out shouting greetings!

DON'T block pathways with decorations. If your dog or cat watches the mailman everyday from a certain window in your home, DO NOT put the Christmas Tree in that window!

Critter-proof your tree! Don't hang tinsel, candy, popcorn or cookies on your tree. Place breakable ornaments up high or don't use them at all. Take care in what gifts you put under the tree. Anything with a scent is a temptation for your pet to unwrap. Monitor your pets around ribbon & bows. Spray wires from holiday lights with peppermint or hot sauce to deter chewing and tape extension cords to baseboards and conceal under the tree skirt. Consider attaching your tree to a hook screwed into the ceiling so that if the kitty should climb it, it won't come down on your pets, the lights wont ignite the carpet, and so on.

Take care in using candles anywhere around pets and take extreme caution around fireplaces.

Keep holiday plants out of reach -- poinsettias, holly berries & leaves, pinecones and mistletoe can cause problems ranging from diarrhea and cramps to severe intestinal blockages and death.

Give guests a few rules about your pets such as making sure they close all doors and gates behind them; not to feed your pets or disturb them when they're sleeping or eating. Devote time to play with your pets before guests arrive to remind your dog or cat that they are important -- you may even tucker them out. Resist serving hors d'oeuvres with toothpicks that could be dropped and harm your pet. Get bones and trash tucked away in the garbage. Never feed chocolate, alcoholic beverages, fried foods or gravies to your pets.

Remove tags from toys your pets acquire and make sure eyes or other parts can't be chewed off and swallowed. Supervise pets around toys with squeakers and watch that they don't ingest the cotton stuffing. Even whiskers on plush toys can scratch your pets eyes, so consider cutting them off.

DON'T GIVE PETS AS GIFTS. Instead give a pet-related book or video or a gift certificate for adoption, spay/neuter or pet supplies. Pets should be chosen by their guardians to ensure a forever home.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL OUR TWO-LEGGED, FOUR-LEGGED, FINNED & FEATHERED FRIENDS!

Senior Pet Health Tips

Canines, felines and humans experience many of the same aging patterns -- graying hair, aches, pains and stiffness, sleeping more and slowing down. In addition to proper veterinary care, there are many things YOU can do to insure these later years are truly golden for your pets.

As animals age, they often can’t “hold it,” and need more frequent bathroom breaks. Other times they have trouble remembering to ask to go out. Don’t lose patience with your loving and loyal companion. Instead, add another litter box to make it more convenient for your aging cat to get to her “facility.” A shallow box can help an arthritic cat climb in and out more easily. Schedule extra outside breaks for your dog even if you have to come home at lunch or install a doggie door to a secured yard. Pick up water bowls two hours before bedtime and take pets out before you call it a night. Reduce clean-up by lining pet beds with plastic. Help your pet and help yourself by doing things that will make for less clean-up.

Did I say bed? All dogs and cats should have a special place of their own, but senior pets in particular should have a bed in a draft- free, damp-free location – something they can easily get out of but that cushions their aching joints.

Elevating food and water bowls may aid in digestion and prevent pets from gulping excess air. It also lessens the strain on older bones by reducing how far they bend.

A dog with (or without) hearing loss must be protected by being kept on-leash when out of the house or yard. As senses dim, your pet won’t hear approaching traffic, children or other animals coming near. When startled he may snap or bite out of fear. Be aware of changes – teach everyone to gently stomp their feet to create a vibration your pet can feel and call out when approaching a hearing or vision impaired pet. Use hand signals when your voice can no longer be heard; flick kitchen lights to teach your deaf pet that it’s time for dinner. Blind pets rely on memory, so avoid re-arranging the furniture and install baby gates to prevent a tumble down the stairs.

Internal changes can be detected by your veterinarian, so don’t skip an exam! One year in your pet’s life equals seven human years, so if you miss a check-up two years in a row, that’s comparable to you or me not going to the doctor for 14 years! Early detection means early intervention!

Think of other ways you can help. If arthritis is making leaps painful for Fluffy, place a foot stool or chair under her favorite windowsill. If Rover cannot be on the go with you as much as in the past, make time for belly rubs and do whatever he CAN do…short walks or just being together. Senior pets do best when they know they are loved and are still a treasured part of the family.


			SUMMER Pet Health Tips Have plenty of fresh water available for your pet, inside & out. By using a heavy, porcelain or ceramic bowl, the water will stay 10% to 20% cooler. (Plastic and aluminum tend to get very hot, which in turn warms up the water.) Leave the water bowls in shady areas under overhangs to entice your pets out of the sun. Outside food & water bowls should be placed in a larger bowl or pan containing a few inches of water to keep ants out of the pets bowl. Provide plenty of shade for outdoor pets. Pets do not sweat to keep cool as humans do. Installing a fan or mister on a shaded porch can prevent heatstroke -- of course, pets inside air-conditioned houses are the safest. If you can’t keep your dogs indoors, get an insulated doghouse to help keep their temperature down. Keep birds from overheating by setting up a misting system in your aviaries. Be sure your pet has current ID tags at all times. Keep a current photo & description of your pet on hand. It will prove useful in the event your pet becomes lost on vacation or at home. Don't plan a trip without thoroughly checking regulations for traveling with and/or boarding your pet. Watch for spills of fertilizer, car coolant, garbage & yard trimmings -- ingestion could be fatal. Keep your pet well groomed and watch for ticks & fleas. Always supervise your pet around pools & lakes. Beware of fishhooks, fishing line, sharp rocks and other dangers to your pet. Many pets drown each year in backyard swimming pools. Be especially watchful of kittens and puppies around the pool. Teach your dog how to get out of your pool by placing the dog in the pool with you and gently guiding it to the steps. Do this over and over until the dog can find its way out of the pool without your help. Review this lesson every summer. You can do this with cats too. Don't assume your pet knows how to swim. If you take your pet to the lake or out on a boat, get a pet life vest. Find out in advance if YOUR local Emergency Clinic carries snakebite vaccine (anti-venom). If your pet gets bitten by a rattlesnake, subdue the animal, apply an ice pack, carry him to the car and immediately transport him to the Vet. Keep you pet inside and secure during Fourth of July Fireworks! Many dogs & cats end up in shelters or hit by cars once scared by the noise. Don't leave your pet unattended in a car! Even with the windows open, a parked car can quickly reach 150 degrees and higher! Hot concrete & asphalt can burn precious paws! Exercise your pets early, during the cool part of the day and walk them on grass. Remember, if it's too hot for your bare feet, it's too hot for paws. Don't take your pet to the lake/beach unless you can provide shade & fresh water. Don't bike or roller blade with your pet for any length of time -- your pet could quickly get heat stroke which can cause permanent brain damage and death. Never use rat poison, snail bait pellets (they have a salty taste dog’s love but can cause seizures) or moth balls, all of which are poisonous to your pet. HEAT STROKE AND YOUR PETS Mary adored her Dachshund Daisy and always wanted her by her side. One 85F day, while the "girls" were out for a car ride, Mary made a quick stop at the convenience store for a jug of milk. In the store, she encountered a new cashier who was having difficulty working the cash register. The line of impatient customers grew and Mary was delayed returning to the car and her precious Dixie. Ten minutes passed and although the windows were cracked open, the temperature inside climbed to 125 degrees! Daisy was in distress...she was panting profusely, her gums were bright red, her heart was racing, there was foam around her mouth -- Daisy was suffering from Heatstroke. It only takes a short period of time for an animal left in a car to get into a deadly situation! Pets dont sweat to regulate their body temperatures (normally 100.4F 102.5F). Dogs pant to exchange cooler outside air with the warm humid air in their lungs while cat’s don’t usually pant until they are overwhelmed by the heat. If the outside air isn’t cooler than their body temperature, an animal can succumb to Heatstroke which can cause brain damage, kidney failure, cardiac arrest and death. Old and overweight pets as well as short-nosed breeds are at the greatest risk. Besides being left in a parked car, Heatstroke can occur if an animal is left outside without shade and water; from blow dryers and cage dryers at the groomers; from matted fur that traps heat close to the body; from crates or carriers that aren’t properly ventilated or even from exercise during the hottest parts of the day. WHAT TO DO: Move your pet to a cooler environment. Indoors is best but even a shady sidewalk or grassy area can help. Place pet in a tub or wading pool, or use a hose to wet his skin, belly, arm pits, groin and paws. Remember on hot days water coming out of a hose can initially be very hot. Take care to let water run till cool before spraying on your pet. You can also cover animal with wet towels and use a cold pack around neck (30 seconds on one side and then 30 seconds on the other). Offer water or an electrolyte replenisher like Pedialyte or K9 Quencher, but don’t force your pet to drink. Fluids may need to be given intravenously at the Vet. Check temperature under the tail every 5 minutes and stop cooling process at 103*F. Get to Vet or Emergency Center ASAP. Be prepared to treat for Shock and administer Rescue Breathing & CPR. Fortunately for Daisy, Mary was trained in Pet First-Aid & CPR and knew what to do to save the life of her precious Dachshund. She learned her lesson though and never again took Daisy for a car ride if shed have to be left alone for even a very short time. WINTER/HOLIDAY Pet Health Tips Put yourself in your dog or cat's paws...at the end of each year, boxes are dragged from the garage or attic and unusual things happen in their home. A tree is brought INDOORS; shiny, dangly things are hung all around and there's always food on the counter or baking in the oven while people come in and out shouting greetings! DON'T block pathways with decorations. If your dog or cat watches the mailman everyday from a certain window in your home, DO NOT put the Christmas Tree in that window! Critter-proof your tree! Don't hang tinsel, candy, popcorn or cookies on your tree. Place breakable ornaments up high or don't use them at all. Take care in what gifts you put under the tree. Anything with a scent is a temptation for your pet to unwrap. Monitor your pets around ribbon & bows. Spray wires from holiday lights with peppermint or hot sauce to deter chewing and tape extension cords to baseboards and conceal under the tree skirt. Consider attaching your tree to a hook screwed into the ceiling so that if the kitty should climb it, it won't come down on your pets, the lights wont ignite the carpet, and so on. Take care in using candles anywhere around pets and take extreme caution around fireplaces. Keep holiday plants out of reach -- poinsettias, holly berries & leaves, pinecones and mistletoe can cause problems ranging from diarrhea and cramps to severe intestinal blockages and death. Give guests a few rules about your pets such as making sure they close all doors and gates behind them; not to feed your pets or disturb them when they're sleeping or eating. Devote time to play with your pets before guests arrive to remind your dog or cat that they are important -- you may even tucker them out. Resist serving hors d'oeuvres with toothpicks that could be dropped and harm your pet. Get bones and trash tucked away in the garbage. Never feed chocolate, alcoholic beverages, fried foods or gravies to your pets. Remove tags from toys your pets acquire and make sure eyes or other parts can't be chewed off and swallowed. Supervise pets around toys with squeakers and watch that they don't ingest the cotton stuffing. Even whiskers on plush toys can scratch your pets eyes, so consider cutting them off. DON'T GIVE PETS AS GIFTS. Instead give a pet-related book or video or a gift certificate for adoption, spay/neuter or pet supplies. Pets should be chosen by their guardians to ensure a forever home. HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL OUR TWO-LEGGED, FOUR-LEGGED, FINNED & FEATHERED FRIENDS! Senior Pet Health Tips Canines, felines and humans experience many of the same aging patterns -- graying hair, aches, pains and stiffness, sleeping more and slowing down. In addition to proper veterinary care, there are many things YOU can do to insure these later years are truly golden for your pets. As animals age, they often can’t “hold it,” and need more frequent bathroom breaks. Other times they have trouble remembering to ask to go out. Don’t lose patience with your loving and loyal companion. Instead, add another litter box to make it more convenient for your aging cat to get to her “facility.” A shallow box can help an arthritic cat climb in and out more easily. Schedule extra outside breaks for your dog even if you have to come home at lunch or install a doggie door to a secured yard. Pick up water bowls two hours before bedtime and take pets out before you call it a night. Reduce clean-up by lining pet beds with plastic. Help your pet and help yourself by doing things that will make for less clean-up. Did I say bed? All dogs and cats should have a special place of their own, but senior pets in particular should have a bed in a draft- free, damp-free location – something they can easily get out of but that cushions their aching joints. Elevating food and water bowls may aid in digestion and prevent pets from gulping excess air. It also lessens the strain on older bones by reducing how far they bend. A dog with (or without) hearing loss must be protected by being kept on-leash when out of the house or yard. As senses dim, your pet won’t hear approaching traffic, children or other animals coming near. When startled he may snap or bite out of fear. Be aware of changes – teach everyone to gently stomp their feet to create a vibration your pet can feel and call out when approaching a hearing or vision impaired pet. Use hand signals when your voice can no longer be heard; flick kitchen lights to teach your deaf pet that it’s time for dinner. Blind pets rely on memory, so avoid re-arranging the furniture and install baby gates to prevent a tumble down the stairs. Internal changes can be detected by your veterinarian, so don’t skip an exam! One year in your pet’s life equals seven human years, so if you miss a check-up two years in a row, that’s comparable to you or me not going to the doctor for 14 years! Early detection means early intervention! Think of other ways you can help. If arthritis is making leaps painful for Fluffy, place a foot stool or chair under her favorite windowsill. If Rover cannot be on the go with you as much as in the past, make time for belly rubs and do whatever he CAN do…short walks or just being together. Senior pets do best when they know they are loved and are still a treasured part of the family.

	© 2005-2008 Pet - A - Medic . All rights reserved.