All Things Summer
Whether you and the Go-Gos are enjoying “Vacation” or you and Nelly are getting “Hot in Here”, June, July, and August are about all things summer. Boating, fishing, swimming, picnics, cookouts, and spending time with those you love the most. Summer is here and this is the year to enjoy it to its fullest!
The Best Things
While they may be free (especially in the summertime) the best things can also be safe; for you, your people, and your pets. Minnesota Veterinary Hospital specializes in complete healthcare for pets, and has since 1968, so we’re really invested in making sure your pet stays healthy while having the summer of their lives.
Summer Safety Tips
Benjamin Franklin was right when he said that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Here are some easy ways to circumvent accidents or injuries for your pet this summer:
- Make sure your dog wears a life vest around water
- Not all dogs can swim, so know whether yours can or not
- Use sunscreen on areas like ears and noses (yours and your pet’s)
- Don’t walk your dog or have them exercise during the hottest part of the day
- Provide your pet with a cool, shady spot in which they can beat the heat
- To protect their paws, don’t let your pet walk on hot asphalt
- Monitor their food intake, especially at parties
- Don’t give them bones from meat
- Pets can’t consume alcohol
- Keep your pet off grass that’s been treated with any kind of chemical substance
- Never leave your pet in a hot car
- Make sure their vaccinations are current
- Make sure they’re easily identifiable through a microchip
Other areas of summer safety include avoiding dehydration and heatstroke, both of which can be extremely serious for your pet. To avoid dehydration, make sure there is plenty of fresh, clean water available for your pet wherever you’re adventuring together. It’s a good idea to take bottled water or water from your tap with you when you go out and pour it into a small, collapsible bowl that you carry with you. Water from a different municipality or water source may upset your pet’s stomach.
If you’ve been out too long or your pet hasn’t had enough hydration during your outing, watch out for the following signs of dehydration:
- Listlessness or inactivity
- Saliva that seems thicker than usual
- Dry tongue or mouth
- Panting
You may be able to give your dog small amounts of water frequently and wet dog food to help them rehydrate, but they need very careful monitoring to ensure that they’re okay.
Signs of heatstroke might include:
- Bright red tongue or gums, or white or blue gums
- Rapid or labored breathing
- Drooling
- Being unable to control bladder and/or bowels
- Being clumsy or unbalanced
- Having a seizure
If any of these occur, you should immediately attempt to cool your pet down by fanning them and getting them to a cool location. Calling your veterinarian is imperative to see what additional treatment they recommend. Both dehydration and heatstroke can be life-threatening if left untreated.
Minnesota Veterinary Hospital
For those in Shoreview, MN, Minnesota Veterinary Hospital provides top-quality care for your pet. Our professional staff treats your pet as if they were our own. Call us at 651-484-3331 or email at [email protected] so we can help you and your pet enjoy this summer, whether it’s “Vacation” or just “Hot in Here”.