Summer in Cincinnati is reliably hot and humid, which can be dangerous for people and pets alike. We can take some advice from the SPCA of Texas, where hot weather is no surprise.
Heat exhaustion starts when your pet’s body temperature elevates to 104 degrees F. Heat stroke can rapidly follow.
What Are the Danger Signs of Heat Stroke?
Heavy panting, difficulty breathing, excessive thirst
Bright red tongue and mucous membranes, which turn grey as shock sets in
Thick saliva, drooling, vomiting and/or diarrhea
Unsteadiness and staggering
Lethargy
Which Pets Are Most Susceptible to Heat Exhaustion?
Dogs and cats with short noses and flat faces, such as pugs, bulldogs and Persian cats
Long-haired and thick-furred pets
Puppies and kittens
Seniors (most dogs over seven years old and cats over 10)
However, even if your pet doesn’t fall into the high-risk categories, heat exhaustion can come on rapidly and advance into heat stroke.
What About Cats & Heat Exhaustion?
The signs and risks of heat exhaustion in cats are very similar to dogs, so the above chart applies to both. Here’s what’s different for cats:
Cats don’t pant to release excess heat. They must rely on grooming themselves and finding shade
Since cats don’t pant, you’ll look for open-mouthed breathing as a sign of overheating
Flat-faced, brachycephalic cat breeds like Persians are more susceptible to heat exhaustion
We recommend keeping your cat indoors in an air-conditioned environment during very hot days.
What to Do if You Suspect Heat Stroke in Your Pet
Move your pet to a cooler environment right away. An air-conditioned room is best. If that’s not available, provide shade and a fan
Wet their body with cool water (not ice water)
Offer clean water
DON’T: immerse in ice water or wrap them in a wet towel
Call your veterinarian right away
How to Prevent Heat Stroke in Your Pet
The best advice for preventing heat stroke in your pet is to be mindful that summer temperatures can lead to dangerous situations quickly.
Keep your pet inside the air-conditioning during the heat of the day
Take walks in the early morning and late evening, keeping them shorter than usual
Dehydration can be a common problem for cats and dogs. Your pet needs about one ounce of water per pound of body weight each day. If your pet is particularly active or spends considerable time outside, they may need more water.
Here’s a helpful video about pet hydration, and how important water is for every single body function and your pet’s overall health.
How Do I Check for Dehydration in My Pet?
Gum test: Gently pull back your pet’s lip and feel their gums. If the gum is sticky or dry, your pet is dehydrated.
Skin test: Use your thumb and forefinger to create a “tent” of skin between your pet’s shoulders. If the skin snaps back quickly, your pet probably isn’t dehydrated. If it takes more than a moment to snap back, dehydration is likely.
Other symptoms of dehydration can include:
Loss of appetite
Loss of energy
Sunken eyes
Depression
Panting
Vomiting
What to Do if You Suspect Dehydration in Your Pet
If you think your pet might be dehydrated, do these two things right away:
Offer water immediately
Call your veterinarian
If dehydration is a common problem for your pet, your veterinarian may recommend you switch to wet food.
Summer is in full swing, and hotter days are ahead. Check out these important summer safety tips to keep your pets healthy this season.
Summer Safety Do’s
DO provide pets with cool, fresh water at all times (both outdoors and indoors)
DO keep pets indoors in the AC during the heat of the day
DO walk your dogs early in the morning or in the evening, when the temperatures are cooler
DO limit jogging or bicycling with your dog
DO apply sunscreen to your pets if you’re going to be in the sun, especially those with short hair.
Summer Safety Don’ts
DON’T leave pets unattended in cars
DON’T leave dogs outdoors, unattended on a chain or tether
DON’T let pets near gardening products, pesticides, fertilizers or tools
DON’T walk dogs on hot sidewalks or asphalt that burns their paws
DON’T leave pets outside during fireworks/firecracker displays
Hot Asphalt Awareness
It doesn’t take much sunny weather to make asphalt dangerously hot. When the air temperature is comfortable, it can still burn exposed paw pads.
Air Temperature
Asphalt Temperature
77 degrees F
125 degrees F
86 degrees F
135 degrees F
87 degrees F
143 degrees F
At 125 degrees F, skin destruction can occur in just 60 seconds. At 131 degrees F, an egg will fry in five minutes. During walks, keep your dog off asphalt (or protect their paws with booties).
Heat Stroke in Dogs
Heat stroke affects any human or animal. It’s when the body temperature dangerously overheats. Dogs are especially susceptible to heat stroke and need their humans to watch out for them.
Normal: 100.5 – 102.5 degrees F
Heat Exhaustion: greater than 104 degrees F
Heat Stroke: 107-109 degrees F
Early Signs of Heat Stroke
When a dog’s body temperature approaches 104 degrees F, they will show these symptoms:
Heavy panting
Difficulty breathing
Excessive thirst
Unsteadiness and staggering
Lethargy
Intense Symptoms of Heat Stroke
After 15 minutes or more of suffering heat stroke, a dog’s symptoms will become much more serious.
The Risk of Parasite Infection Can Be Right Next Door– At Any Time
Our dogs need protection from several parasites. Credelio Quattro is a chewable tablet that protects against six parasites:
Fleas
Ticks
Heartworms
Roundworms
Hookworms
Tapeworms
This prevention medication is given to your dog monthly as a beef-flavored chewable tablet. It’s a convenient, clean and simple-to-administer solution for protecting your dog from common parasites.
It kills more than 99% of fleas within eight hours, about 97% of ticks within 48 hours and 100% of tapeworms. And it prevents heartworm disease from the first dose.
Companion Care Animal Hospital carries Credelio Quattro in all sizes, and we can provide a discount code to give you the most favorable cost possible. It’s always best to obtain prescription medication from your pet’s veterinarian, so you know the product is legitimate and stored properly.
Here are five of Companion Care Animal Hospital’s dog-specific health articles. Knowing this information as we move into summer can help your whole family enjoy a healthy season.
The risk of heartworm infection can be right next door– at any time. Sadly, we encounter several common myths about this deadly parasitic infection that can put pets at risk. Here are the facts we want everyone to know
MYTH: Indoor pets don’t need prevention.TRUTH: Mosquitoes get indoors, slipping through screens and doors. One bite is all it takes, and indoor pets are still vulnerable.
MYTH: Only dogs get heartworm.TRUTH: Cats are also susceptible. While they are atypical hosts, they can suffer severe respiratory issues from immature worms, and there is no approved treatment for cats.
MYTH: You don’t need to worry about heartworms in the winter.TRUTH: Mosquitoes can emerge during winter warm-ups, and skipping doses can allow larvae to mature, making them more dangerous to treat.
MYTH: I’ll know if my pet has heartworms.TRUTH: Symptoms often don’t appear until the disease is advanced, causing permanent damage to the heart and lungs.
Heartworm “season” is year-round. To protect your pet (and others), give heartworm prevention year-round. This includes spring, summer, fall and winter. If you are in need of heartworm prevention, contact us.
Common household items such as plants, foods and chemicals can harm your pet if ingested. Please pay close attention to these top 10 toxins for dogs and cats.
Top 10 Toxins for Dogs
Chocolate
Mouse and rat poisons
Vitamins
Human and veterinary pain relievers
Heart medication, i.e., beta blockers
Cold and allergy medications, i.e., Pseudoephedrine and Phenylephrine
Anti-depressants
Xylitol
Acetaminophen, i.e, Tylenol
Caffeine pills
Top 10 Toxins for Cats
Topical spot-on insecticides
Household cleaners
Anti-depressants
Lilies
Insoluble oxalate plants, i.e., Philodendron
Human and veterinary pain relievers
Acetaminophen, i.e, Tylenol
Glow sticks
ADD/ADHD medications/amphetamines
Mouse and rat poisons
Do you have questions about common household items that might be toxic to your pets? Contact us.
During Pet Health Dental Month, we like to highlight how important dental care is for your pet’s overall health. Good dental health helps your pet feel better, eat better and behave better. Dental disease can cause bacterial problems throughout the body’s systems, along with the problems that come with infected gums or diseased teeth.
Know the Signs of Dental Disease
Most pet dental disease occurs below the gum line, where you can’t see it. Your pet’s teeth and gums should be checked at least once a year by your veterinarian. But, if you see any of these symptoms, call your veterinarian:
Red, swollen gums
Increased drooling
Dropping food from the mouth
Whining while eating
Loss of appetite
Unexpected weight loss
Loose or discolored teeth
Bleeding from mouth
Unwillingness to play with toys
Top Pet Dental Care Steps
Pet dental health is critical for overall health. Here are the top things you can do to improve and preserve your pet’s teeth and gums:
Toothbrushing with a soft brush and water or pet-formulated paste
Regular veterinary examinations, at least annually
Professional dental cleaning if recommended by your veterinarian
Look for signs of oral disease
Has it been awhile since your pet’s last dental cleaning? Contact us to see if it might be time.
For National Cat Health Month, we’re looking at longevity for our feline friends. Over the decades, pet cats in the US have been living longer on average:
1980s: 7 years
1995: 9.4 years
2014: 13 years
Today: 17 years
That’s a huge improvement! Let’s explore why.
Why Are Cats Living Longer?
There isn’t one single reason that our beloved pet cats are enjoying fuller lives. It’s a combination of factors, including:
Improved veterinary care: Preventive care diagnoses common conditions that can improve with treatment, giving cats more years of health and happiness. Advances in veterinary medicine also give veterinarians more options for improving cat health, like the arthritis injection Solensia.
More indoor cats: Outdoor cats face many environmental dangers that indoor cats are safe from. Keeping a cat indoors increases life expectancy.
Better nutrition: Cat food through the decades has improved in nutritional content, and so has understanding of cats as obligate carnivores.
Neutering and spaying: When done at the right stage of life, altered cats live longer, on average.
What Can I Do to Help My Cat Live Longer?
To help your cat live their best life, you’ll want to address all the factors that go into longevity. Based on pet trends, it’s likely that your cat is already spayed/neutered and lives indoors. Any well-known pet food brand will provide the nutrition your pet needs (unless your pet has specific health conditions identified by your veterinarian).
The number one step you can take to improve your cat’s health? Get regular preventive care, usually through an annual check-up. Your veterinarian will test and treat common issues that may start without symptoms. Plus, preventive vaccines keep your cat from risk of rabies, Feline Upper Respiratory Diseases and Feline Leukemia.
Winter is Revving Up in January. Stay Cozy with These Tips
Overall, December temperatures were fairly mild for the season. As we move into January and February, we’re sure to see some arctic weather in the forecast. Winter can be a challenging time for pets, so watch for these cold weather hazards.
Be Prepared for Cold
Have an emergency kit that includes your pet’s needs in case of severe weather or prolonged power outage
If your dog has a short coat, consider a sweater or dog coat for outdoor excursions
Consider booties for your dog’s feet. Not only does it protect them from the cold, but from de-icing chemicals, as well
Ensure all outdoor pets have insulated shelter and unfrozen drinking water
Know Your Pet’s Limits
Know your pet’s tolerance for the cold and adjust accordingly. Keep in mind that very young pet and older pets are more sensitive to cold
Shorten walks in really cold weather
Avoid Injury and Poisoning
Check under your care, bang the hood and hong the horn before starting the engine. Cats and other small animals are attracted to the warmth of a parked engine
Use pet-safe de-icing products
Clean up any antifreeze spills quickly. Animals are attracted to this sweet, toxic liquid
Stay away from frozen ponds, lakes and streams. Animals might break through the ice out of your reach, creating a very dangerous situation. If your pet does escape onto the ice, do not follow– you weigh more than your pet
Check your dog’s paws frequently for signs of irritation or injury
Wipe down or wash your pet’s feet, legs and belly to remove packed snow, ice, salt and de-icing chemicals after walks
Have questions about keeping your cat or dog safe this winter? Contact us.
