Joplin Humane Society- July 24
By: Import User
Updated: July 24, 2008
Helping Your Pet Beat the Heat
Any pet can suffer from heat stress. However, particularly susceptible are:
1) Very young and older pets
2) Short-nosed breeds
3) Overweight pets
4) Pets with cardiovascular or respiratory disorders
5) Pets with previous history of heat stress
Help prevent heat stress by:
1) Providing plenty of clean, fresh water for your pet at ALL TIMES. If your pet tends to knock over his bowl, making it difficult to keep water available, a solution may be to dig a hole in the ground (in a shady area) and insert a plastic bucket (not metal, it may rust) at ground level.
2) Providing adequate ventilation and air circulation when pets are kept in kennel or pens.
3) Providing shade cover when pets are outdoors. Remember that as the day progresses, the position of the sun changes. If your pet and water are in the shade when you leave in the morning, by noon, your pet may be in direct sunlight.
4) Avoiding excessive exercise of pets during hot weather.
5) NEVER leave your pets in a parked vehicle.
Some signs of heat stress are profuse panting and salivation, staring or anxious expression, failure to respond to commands, warm dry skin, high fever, rapid heartbeat, fatigue, muscular weakness or collapse.
If you pet has heat stress, try to reduce his temperature by gradually immersing your pet in cool water, spraying him with cool water, or applying ice packs to his head and neck. Then take your pet to the veterinarian immediately.
The number of animals killed by motor vehicles increases during the summer months. Obey the law and keep your animal under control.
More animals are also running loose during summer. Don't risk letting your animal add to the already alarming animal overpopulation problem. Have your dog or cat spayed or neutered. Information on these procedures is available from your veterinarian or the Humane Society.
Any pet can suffer from heat stress. However, particularly susceptible are:
1) Very young and older pets
2) Short-nosed breeds
3) Overweight pets
4) Pets with cardiovascular or respiratory disorders
5) Pets with previous history of heat stress
Help prevent heat stress by:
1) Providing plenty of clean, fresh water for your pet at ALL TIMES. If your pet tends to knock over his bowl, making it difficult to keep water available, a solution may be to dig a hole in the ground (in a shady area) and insert a plastic bucket (not metal, it may rust) at ground level.
2) Providing adequate ventilation and air circulation when pets are kept in kennel or pens.
3) Providing shade cover when pets are outdoors. Remember that as the day progresses, the position of the sun changes. If your pet and water are in the shade when you leave in the morning, by noon, your pet may be in direct sunlight.
4) Avoiding excessive exercise of pets during hot weather.
5) NEVER leave your pets in a parked vehicle.
Some signs of heat stress are profuse panting and salivation, staring or anxious expression, failure to respond to commands, warm dry skin, high fever, rapid heartbeat, fatigue, muscular weakness or collapse.
If you pet has heat stress, try to reduce his temperature by gradually immersing your pet in cool water, spraying him with cool water, or applying ice packs to his head and neck. Then take your pet to the veterinarian immediately.
The number of animals killed by motor vehicles increases during the summer months. Obey the law and keep your animal under control.
More animals are also running loose during summer. Don't risk letting your animal add to the already alarming animal overpopulation problem. Have your dog or cat spayed or neutered. Information on these procedures is available from your veterinarian or the Humane Society.
