As an animal hospital in Davie we want to keep our community aware of the dangers that the Florida summer can offer up to the four legged members of their families. Heat and humidity as well as summertime activities and seasonal parasites can do some serious damage to your pet if you are not careful.
At DPC Veterinary Hospital we want all of our patients to enjoy an injury, sickness free season so we have listed some common dos and don'ts for their owners:
- Owners should start with a trip to the vet for a spring time checkup focused on heart worm and flea and tick prevention. Your vet can recommend commercial products for the flea and tick and medication for heart worm prevention.
- Never leave your pet inside a car without the air conditioning running. Even with all the windows down, the sun streaming through all the windows will quickly turn your interior into an oven. Signs of heat stroke included excessive panting, drooling, weakness, seizures and even coma. Don't think that quick stop at the convenience store is safe for your pet.
- Your dog doesn't wear shoes. Before you take your dog out consider the temperature of the asphalt and concrete he or she is going to have to walk on. Their pads can burn and blister if exposed to a surface that you could literally fry an egg on.
- No buzz cuts. It is a good idea to have your pet's hair cut shorter in the summer but not to an extreme. The layers of hair or fur serve as protection from UV rays and prevent their skin from being sunburned.
- Remember that backyard BBQ is for humans not pets. If your dog begs the equivalent of two or three hot dogs from guests he or she could have a serious intestinal distress. Alcohol is another big no-no for animals.
- For outside dogs it goes without saying that they need a shady place for shelter and plenty of water (in a plastic bowl not a red hot metal bowl). Use common sense. If the temperature is predicted to be extreme, keep your pet indoors.
Remember your pets are smaller than you, weigh less and are closer to the heat radiating ground surface than you are. They can't survive the heat nearly as well as a healthy human. If you have any questions or concerns, call our staff at DPV Veterinary Hospital and we'll be happy to offer our advice.