|
 The Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association (ISVMA)
wants pet owners to clearly understand the risks that hot weather
brings to beloved companion animals and outdoor pets.
When it comes to cars, even on a temperate day, heat rises in a
matter of minutes to sometimes over 100 degrees. Imagine what can
happen when it’s already more than 95 degrees outside with a dog
locked in a closed car without air conditioning running.
“We encourage pet owners to only travel with their pets when it’s
hot out only if absolutely necessary,” says Dr. Olivia Rudolphi,
President, ISVMA. “Sure, it’s always nice to take the pup out for a
drive to get them out of the house. But if you leave him or her in
the car, even for a short period of time with windows cracked, it’s
just not enough for the rising heat to escape from the vehicle.”
Dr. Rudolphi suggests leaving the pet at home if there is a
possibility that they will be required to be kept in a vehicle
without adequate ventilation. If you’re going on a car trip with
your dog or cat, she suggests you consider these tips to ensure
their and your utmost safety:
When you’re on a road trip with a pet, prepare to make sure they can
stay hydrated. Ensure there is plenty of cool water and that they
have seating or riding options that can keep them out of the direct
sun.
Create safety boundaries: Keep your dog or cat away from your
driving space in the car. It’s never a good idea to let animals rest
on your lap, to lay in a foot well or hang out windows, actions that
could cause an accident. Know that it is against the law in Illinois
to have a pet in the driver’s seat while the car is in motion.
Don’t play with or feed your pet while driving. Distractions can
cause interference with your ability to react to any driving
condition.
When stopped for a break, avoid letting your pet walk on hot
surfaces, such as blacktop or concrete parking lots or sidewalks
that can burn his or her paws.
Talk with your veterinarian about hot weather tips and how to keep
your pet safe from heat exposure/exhaustion. It’s extremely
important to know how to recognize the symptoms of heat stress and
what first aid you may administer if your pet becomes stressed.
Dr. Rudolphi reports that there are other summertime safety issues
to keep in mind as well beyond car travel:
Take walks or hikes in cooler times of day
(morning/evening), not running or walking with your dog in the
hottest times of day (mid-morning/noon/early afternoon). [to top of second
column] |
If you have an outdoor dog, cat or other animal,
ensure they have plenty of water to drink and have shade options to
keep them out of the direct sun. Consider moving them indoors, into
a garage with plenty of ventilation (i.e., fan) or in a basement
where it is cooler than outside during the hottest times of the day.
Consider a “summer cut” for your pooch, helping him
or her to keep their body cooler.
Perform frequent “coat checks” to look for ticks embedded in their
fur if in the great outdoors. Make sure they’re protected with
effective anti-parasite collars, powders, treatments or other
preventative options.
Talk with your veterinarian about heart-worm protection, even if you
have a dog that is primarily kept indoors. Mosquitos are
equal-opportunity organisms and it only takes a matter of seconds
for a bite from a single mosquito to infect your dog. This is a
simple and effective way to keep your dog safe from infection by
these deadly parasites.
Make sure garden and yard fertilizers, pesticides and chemicals are
out of a pet’s reach. Also, be sure to read the labels of each
chemical to determine the withdrawal time the pet needs to be
restricted from the treated area.
Know that dirt, mud and standing bodies of water (stagnant ponds)
can be breeding grounds for infectious parasites.
When you have your pet out in larger bodies of water, whether on a
boat or at a beach, make sure they are protected with a flotation
device or other safety gear as water currents or large waves can be
just as dangerous to them as they are to people.
If cooking outdoors, know that there are human foods that can be
toxic or dangerous to animals, especially dogs. These would include
bones from various cuts of meat (pork chops/steaks/ribs/
chicken), pork products (rich in fat that can upset stomachs),
alcohol, guacamole and anything made with or has naturally occurring
sugar as an ingredient (desserts/baked goods, ketchup, BBQ sauce,
grapes). Chocolate can be toxic to dogs. Also, it’s a good idea not
to pour grille drippings on the ground for a pet to eat; they could
ingest dirt and rocks, creating all kinds of problems.
ABOUT ISVMA
Illinois veterinarians’ profession is the health and welfare of
companion pets and livestock in the 102 counties in the state. The
ISVMA is a professional association representing more than 2,500
member veterinarians, veterinary and technician students and
Certified Veterinary Technicians from around the state to promote
and protect veterinary practices. ISVMA leaders and members study a
multitude of cutting-edge medical and business practices, as well as
pertinent legislation to determine their impact on pets, animals and
their human caretakers.
[Ryan Keith
RK PR Solutions] |
