Showing posts with label heat. Show all posts

Here's some great advice that I thought I would pass on. –Kim

Your Dog's Water

Here's some important info that I thought I would pass on... Please take heed, before a crisis! –Kim

My Dog is Cool

• San Francisco State University – April 2007 fact sheet utilizing data from a Golden Gate Weather Services study.
• Another study reprinted from the Journal of the Louisiana State Medical Society.
• A study from Stanford University shows that even on comparatively cool days, such as 72°F (22.2°C), a car's internal temperature will rocket to 116°F (46.7°C) within 60 minutes. And keeping the windows open a crack hardly slows the rise at all.
  

• How Hot Does It Get in a Parked Car? – Dr. Ernie Ward
• Keep Pets Safe from Warm Weather
• How to Help Your Pet Survive the Summer Heat
• State Laws that Protect Animals Left in Parked Vehicles
• My Dog is Cool Pledge

Here are some great safety tips that I thought I would pass on... –Kim

Top 10 July 4th Holistic Pet Safety Tips
by Dr. Andrew Jones
July 4, 2011

1. KEEP YOUR PETS AT HOME. It is always safer to leave them at home, in a quiet, closed in familiar place…your house! Our pets have hearing 10 times our own, so any loud noise is ESPECIALLY disturbing to them. I leave my own pets with a Kong toy stuffed with peanut butter.

2. THE SOUNDS OF MUSIC. Turn up the tunes to drown out some of the impending loud noises. This will screen out some of the loud sounds, lowering anxiety levels. Music with a slow even beat, such as classical, will work best.

3. FLOWER ESSENCES. Bach Rescue Remedies or other natural calming aids are a very safe alternative medication that may calm your anxious pet. Place 4 drops on your pet’s gums prior to leaving. (Follow the directions on the label.)

4. SOOTHING FINGERS. A type of therapeutic touch, called Tellington Touch has helped many pets with noise anxiety. The most effective area is the ear. Gently hold the ear flap between your thumb and forefinger. Gently stroke from the base of the ear to the ear tip; repeat the motion several times covering different sections of the ear. Use the same fingers to draw tiny circles at the base of the ear. Try both of the techniques on your dog when he is calm. If he reacts well, then try it the next time a storm approaches.

5. PET ID. Every Holiday involving Fireworks causes scared animals who run away and get lost. Ensure your pets have identification at all times. Also, check out medical info tags and GPS tracking devices.

6. KEEP YOUR PETS OUT OF HOT CARS. A puppy just died recently in Vancouver after being left for 3 hours in a parked car, with the sunroof open. The inside of the vehicle was over 100° F. Once again, LEAVE your pets at home.

7. SAFE TOPICALS FOR PETS. Read the labels to make sure the sunscreen or insect repellent can be used on your pet.

8. TOXIC GLOW JEWELRY – AVOID IT. Your pet may look cute glowing in the dark, but the glowing substance is orally and intestinally toxic.

9. FIREWORKS AND PETS ARE A BAD IDEA. The noise is likely to severely frighten your pet. Then there is the risks of severe burns. The fireworks themselves have caustic substances, such as potassium nitrate and arsenic.

10. BE PREPARED. You should have a basic pet First Aid kit, plus know where your closest emergency veterinarian is. You can also make your own First Aid kit.

All in all, use common sense, and keep you and your pet safe.

Best wishes and have a Happy Holiday!
Dr. Andrew Jones

Source: http://www.theinternetpetvet.com/top-10-july-4th-holistic-pet-safety-tips/
Copyright © Four Paws Online Ltd. 2011

• Keeping Your Pets Safe & Happy During Fireworks
• Is Your Dog Scared of Thunder?
• Product Review: Silver Lining Herbs

Here's a great article that I thought I would pass on...hope you find it informative! –Kim

Half the Dogs Who Die While Traveling
By: Maria Goodavage

Thinking about flying to your next vacation destination with your dog? If he's a bulldog, pug, or other short-snouted pooch, you might want to consider some new data from the U.S. Department of Transportation: Short-faced breeds account for about half of the dogs who died while traveling in the cargo hold in the last five years.

During this period, 122 dogs died while traveling as cargo on passenger planes, according to the DOT. The figure includes 31 bulldogs and 11 pugs. Vets say respiratory issues are usually to blame.

Owners "should consult their pets' veterinarians about any genetic features in dogs of this type and the medical condition of their pets before deciding to transport them by aircraft," the DOT said. Many vets recommend against transporting these dogs at all in the cargo hold.

Delta Airlines has specific regulations against flying with short-nosed dogs. According to Delta's website, "Pug or snub-nosed dogs and cats are not hot-weather animals and therefore do not thrive in warm temperatures. As a precaution, Delta will not accept them as checked baggage or as air cargo if the temperature on any part of their trip exceeds 70° F." The site goes on to list 25 dogs breeds and four cat breeds that fall into this category.

Other dogs are not immune to the difficult, and sometimes deadly, conditions in the plane's cargo area. Labs and Golden Retrievers placed fairly high on the DOT death list.

Jake doesn't exactly fit under the seat in the passenger cabin. (He couldn’t even get his gigantic head under it, most likely.) So, if he is going to vacation with us, we'll take the car. I've never flown with a dog in cargo, and hope never to have to. Would you? Have you? What has been your experience?

Source: http://dogblog.dogster.com/2010/07/19/short-faced-dogs-more-apt-to-die-on-airplanes/
(c) SAY Media, Inc. 2011

Kids and Pets ALWAYS Stay Free
http://www.jdoqocy.com/click-4023402-10705735

Here's a great article that I thought I would pass on...hope you find it informative! –Kim

Keep Pets Safe from Warm Weather

If April showers bring May flowers, then the combination of the two mean a climbing heat index. While pets are eager to get outside as much as possible in warmer climates, the sunny weather is not without some perils for both cats and dogs.

Who should know better about pets, warm weather, and fun activities than Heidi Ganahl, CEO and founder of Camp Bow Wow USA (or Camp Bow Wow Canada), which boasts 200 nationwide franchises handling 108 camps a season. With each camp keeping about 100 dogs active on a daily basis, Ganahl is the premier expert on taking care of pets during the dog days of summer. So, Zootoo Pet News got her take on what owners can do to keep their pets safe this summer:

Q: In your experience, how have you watched the summer heat impact cats and dogs?

Ganahl: Summers provide lots of opportunities for fun with your dog — camping, hiking, swimming, kayaking and backpacking, to name a few — but also bring a unique set of health hazards and risks pet owners should be aware of including: dehydration, burned pads, parasite infestation, heat stroke, leptospirosis and seasonal allergies.

Q: Some heat-related "symptoms" are obvious — panting, drinking more water — but what are some more hidden behaviors which should indicate to owners that a cat or dog is feeling the effects of warm weather?

Ganahl: The eyes appear sunken and lack moisture. The mouth appears dry; gums and nose are dry.

Q: What is the most important activity a pet should be doing to beat the summer heat?

Ganahl: Keep them cool or out of the sun, and keep them calm and not too active!

Q: Are dogs or cats more prone to feel the effects of heat?

Ganahl: Different issues for each, but here’s the scoop on keeping kitties safe: you can help your cat survive extremely hot weather by keeping him indoors in a cool interior room. Rubbing him down with a damp towel will help; so will immersing his feet in a tub of cool water. Wrapping a cold compress under the cat's neck will also help cool him off. He may fight at first, but most likely will appreciate it once he gets used to the idea. Try wrapping a plastic bag of frozen peas in a towel, and placing it in his bed for a cool spot to lie. The peas will rearrange themselves to fit his contours and he'll have a "custom spa" for cooling off.

In addition to Ganahl's advice, there are myriad ways owners should work on keeping their pets safe. Check out Zootoo's compiled list below to ensure your cat and dog have a carefree and fun summer:

Pets need sunscreen. Just like humans, your cat or dog can get extremely sunburned, especially if your pet has light colored hair. Animal sunburns can cause the same problems as those of humans: peeling, redness and even cancer. Skin cancer in pets is much more prevalent than one would assume, so purchasing pet-friendly sunscreen can go a long way in protecting the health of your pet when the heat kicks in. Places that are easy to forget, but prone to burning are: inside the nostrils, tip of nose, around your dog’s lips and the inside of ears for dogs with stand-up ears.

Never leave your pet in the car. It may seem like a car trip will cool off your pet, but it will probably do more harm than good if you leave your pet in the car for even a few minutes. The temperature in your car can rise over 100 degrees in a manner of minutes, so if you are bringing the dog in the car, make sure you can take him out on any errands you run when parking the vehicle.

Pets need extra water... but don’t let them drink just anything. Just like humans, pets need a lot of water during the summer, but be careful not to leave that water out too long. The heat can breed bacteria, which can sicken your pet if you've left it out in the sun too long. Give your dog extra water during the spring and summer, but be careful to change the water often. If dogs are extra thirsty, pets are bound to drink something they shouldn't drink. Puddles of what looks like water may be on the ground, but these may include antifreeze or other dangerous chemicals, so keep an eye when the dog is panting and looking for something to sip on.

Don't give your pet TOO much exercise. Don't overdo it in the heat. Keep walks to a gentle pace. If your pet is panting a lot or seems exhausted, it's time to stop. There are quick and easy ways for you and your pet to get in shape together this summer, but one of them is not overdoing it — try changing up the routine and jogging intervals with your dog, or walking up and down hills in order to exercise both yourself and your pet.

Inside is better than outside. Even if your pet is in the shade, it can get sick quickly on hot days. As much as Fido wants to go outside, it is usually smarter to keep your pet inside as much as possible. If you have to leave the dog outside on a hot day, make sure to check on him/her regularly. NEVER leave the house on a hot day with the dog outside.

Watch for heatstroke. Dogs can develop heatstroke fairly quickly. Signs of this are excessive panting, staring, anxious expression on the face, warm skin, refusal to obey commands by owner, vomiting, collapse and rapid heartbeat. If you suspect that your pet is suffering from this, lower the animal's body temperature by applying towels soaked in cool water to the hairless areas of the body. Often, the pet will respond after just a few minutes of cooling, only to falter again with his temperature soaring back up or falling to well below what is normal. Take the dog to the vet immediately — don't try to solve this yourself.

Throw away uneaten food. Although you may leave wet cat or dog food food out during the day in winter months, summer months and warm weather lead to increased bacteria growth, so if your pet doesn't eat it immediately, bring the food inside to the cool house, where it can be kept for longer.

Source: http://petpac.net/news/headlines/keep_pets_safe_from_warm_weather/
© 2010 PetPAC

Here's a great article that I thought I would pass on...hope you find it interesting! –Kim

Give Your Dog's Paw Pads Some Thought

If you've never given your dog's paw pads much thought, you should! Pads are the thick, spongy, rubbery part of your dog's paw. Dogs rely on their paw pads to absorb shock, make traction with the surface on which they're walking (or running, sliding, slipping, etc.), insulate their paws from extreme temperatures, and to protect them from whatever is underfoot. Watch your dog's paws when you take him out for a walk or a play session, and you'll realize how much punishment his pads take on a daily basis.

With ground contact occurring every step of a dog's life, paw pads must be a tough and resilient part of his body. But, tough as they are, paw pads are not made of armor. That's why it's not uncommon for vets to find dogs with paw pad injuries coming into the doctor's office for emergency care.

Typical paw pad injuries

Common paw pad injuries include lacerations, punctures and abrasions. If a dog steps on glass or other sharp objects, even the toughest paw pad can get cut. Paw pads can also be injured by extreme temperatures, and it's not unknown for dogs to experience burned paw pads on very hot days or frostbite on very cold days. In addition, paw pads can be hurt by chemical spills on the ground.

How to tell if your dog has a paw pad injury

If you've personally seen your dog step into a chemical or tread on glass or an extremely hot surface, you'll probably know almost immediately if he has injured his paw pads. However, injuries may not always be witnessed firsthand, and sometimes the symptoms occur a short time after the actual injury taken place.

Symptoms of paw pad injuries include bleeding, limping, excessive licking of the pad, discoloration, and reluctance on your dog's part to put weight on his paw.

What to do if your dog injures a paw pad

Treatment depends on the type of injury sustained. Here are a few first aid tips:

Cleaning the wound – First, determine if there is any debris, such as glass, in the wound. If there is, remove it. Washing the injured paw is a good idea, if clean water is available. Swishing the paw in the water could help to dislodge any small pieces of debris that might still be in the injury.

Stop the bleeding – Once the paw has been cleaned, apply pressure on the paw pad with a bandage or other clean and absorbent material. Try to maintain some pressure on the wound until the bleeding stops. If the cut is small, the bleeding may stop quickly. However, if the cut is very deep, you may not be able to stop the bleeding on your own – and a trip to the veterinarian's office for expert care will be necessary.

Soothing burns – If you've ever attempted to walk barefoot on a sun-bathed sidewalk in the summer, you know how scorching it can be. Even though paw pads are tough, they can still burn. You can help soothe the burn with an icepack or the cool, gentle running water of a garden hose or faucet. If your dog steps into a harsh chemical, immediately flush the entire paw with cool water. Keep the water running until all traces of the chemical are washed away.

Next stop: the Vet's office

Your dog's paws are difficult-to-heal areas of his body. That's why even less-severe injuries could require a visit to the vet's office. Many paw pad injuries require proper cleaning and bandaging – and some may need more intensive care. Your vet will also tell you how to properly care for the treated injury at home during the time it takes the paw to heal.

An ounce of prevention

To help prevent paw pad injuries, inspect areas where your dog will be playing. Remove all sharp debris and wash away chemical spills. In the summer, try to keep your dog from walking on extremely hot surfaces – grass and earth are almost always cooler and more inviting to walk on under the summer sun. In the winter, use doggie booties on smaller dogs to prevent frostbite. And when taking your dog out for a walk, watch the ground in front of your dog to avoid any dangerous surprises.

Source: http://www.pedigree.com/02All-Things-Dog/Article-Library/fetch.aspx?artId=741&catId=3&sCatId=14&catName=Adult&sCatName=First%20Aid%20and%20Safety
© 2009 Mars, Incorporated and Affiliates

Here's a great article that I thought I would pass on...hope you find it helpful! –Kim

How to Help Your Pet Survive the Summer Heat

By Peggy Frezon, Rensselaer, New York

"Do what we can, summer will have its flies" (Ralph Waldo Emerson).

While we may love the warmth and opportunity of bright summer days, handling the summer heat can be, well…as pesky as dealing with flies.

The same is true for our pets.

On especially hot days, my dog Kelly sprawls in the coolest corner of the house to keep comfortable. I turn on a tower fan – the kind that stands on the floor – to cool at her level, rather than up at windows or tabletops.

Here are some other tips for keeping your pet cool this summer.

Your dog is a part of your family. By keeping him cool and comfortable, you can include him on a hike, picnic or other outing – and that's one part of summer that's always fun!

Source: http://www.guideposts.com/print/27351