Hot Weather Cautions

                                                                        

Summer is not officially here yet but it's hot as blazes outside.  Here are some hot weather cautions from the American Veterinary Association:

Be Prepared:

• make sure your pet has plenty of water and access to shade outside;
• keep your pet free of parasites that are common during the summer such as fleas, ticks, mosquitoes and heart worms;
• do not leave your pet in a car unattended.  Leave them at home when you run errands.  Cars quickly overheat to deadly temperatures even when the weather isn't severe.  If it's hotter than 70 degress it is too hot for your pet.

Signs of Heat Stress

• anxiousness;
• excess panting;
• restlessness;
• excessive drooling;
• unsteadiness;
• abnormal gum and tongue color;
• collapse

Keeping Pets Comfortable in Hot Weather

• If it's hot outside for you it's even hotter for your pet;
• take walks or hikes in the cooler part of the day;
• avoid hot surfaces that can burn your pet's paws (if the concrete is too hot for you it's too hot for your pet);
• use sunscreen; 
• on short haired dogs use sunscreen
• use sunscreen on your pet's nose

Plan ahead and have a great summer.