Continuing with the Humane Society of the United States' tips for caring of pets during the summer, here is the last of their suggestions:
"Another summertime threat is fleas and ticks. Use only flea and tick treatments recommended by your veterinarian. Some over-the-counter flea and tick products can be toxic, even when used according to instructions." 1-800-PetMeds has a range of safe and effective (when used as directed) flea and tick products. You can look at comparison charts and read additional information regarding these products.
"Pets can get sunburned too, and your pet may require sunscreen on his or her nose and ear tips. Pets with light-colored noses or light-colored fur on their ears are particularly vulnerable to sunburn and skin cancer."
"Don't take your pets to crowded summer events such as concerts or fairs. The loud noises and crowds, combined with the heat, can be stressful and dangerous for pets. For your pet's well being, leave her at home. Be especially aware of these threats during holidays, such as the Fourth of July."
"In summer heat your pet can suffer from heat exhaustion and heat stroke. These conditions are very serious and could cause your pet to die. You should be aware of the signs of heat stress, which could include heavy panting, glazed eyes, a rapid pulse, unsteadiness, a staggering gait, vomiting, or a deep red or purple tongue. If your pet does become overheated, you need to immediately lower his body temperature. Move your pet into the shade and apply cool (not cold) water over his body to gradually lower his core body temperature. Apply cold towels or ice packs to your pet's head, neck, and chest only. Let your pet drink small amounts of water or lick ice cubes. Most importantly, get him to a veterinarian immediately."
Friday, June 22, 2007
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Summer Care Tips for Pets - Part 2
As I mentioned yesterday, The Humane Society of the United States has posted some excellent tips on how to protect our pets in the summer months. Here are some more valuable tips:
"Summer is often a time when people fertilize their lawns and work in their gardens. But beware: Plant food, fertilizer, and insecticides can be fatal if your pet ingests them. In addition, more than 700 plants can produce physiologically active or toxic substances in sufficient amounts to cause harmful effects in animals." Another excellent resource for plant poisonings is PetHealth101.
"With people and dogs spending more time outside, dog bites are likely to increase in the summer months. Spaying or neutering your dog reduces the likelihood that he will bite and provides many other health benefits." PetHealth101 has a wonderful comparison chart of prescription and non-prescription (OTC) products used for various types of behavior issues.
"Make sure your pet is always wearing a collar and identification tag. If you are separated from your pet, an ID tag may very well be his or her ticket home."
"Check with your veterinarian to see if your pets should be taking heartworm prevention medication. Heartworm disease, which is transmitted by mosquitoes, can be fatal in both dogs and cats." Many veterinarians are now recommending that heartworm prevention be used year round. You should consider 1-800-PetMeds for all your prescription heartworm prevention medication needs.
"Pets and pools can equal disaster. Prevent free access to pools and always supervise a pet in a pool."
"Provide plenty of water and shade for your pets while they're enjoying the great outdoors so they can stay cool." Have you seen the selection bowls at 1-800-PetMeds?
"If you plan on traveling with your pet during the summer, take the time to prepare for your furry friends in advance. Many airlines have summer pet embargoes, and most trains and ships do not allow pets other than service animals. The HSUS has information on traveling with your pet that may make the difference between a pleasant trip and a vacation nightmare." 1-800-PetMeds has a variety of products that can be used in order to make travelling with your anxious pet easier.
"Pets need exercise even when it is hot, but extra care needs to be taken with older dogs, short-nosed dogs, and those with thick coats. On very hot days, limit exercise to early morning or evening hours. Keep in mind that asphalt gets very hot and can burn your pet's paws."
"Summer is often a time when people fertilize their lawns and work in their gardens. But beware: Plant food, fertilizer, and insecticides can be fatal if your pet ingests them. In addition, more than 700 plants can produce physiologically active or toxic substances in sufficient amounts to cause harmful effects in animals." Another excellent resource for plant poisonings is PetHealth101.
"With people and dogs spending more time outside, dog bites are likely to increase in the summer months. Spaying or neutering your dog reduces the likelihood that he will bite and provides many other health benefits." PetHealth101 has a wonderful comparison chart of prescription and non-prescription (OTC) products used for various types of behavior issues.
"Make sure your pet is always wearing a collar and identification tag. If you are separated from your pet, an ID tag may very well be his or her ticket home."
"Check with your veterinarian to see if your pets should be taking heartworm prevention medication. Heartworm disease, which is transmitted by mosquitoes, can be fatal in both dogs and cats." Many veterinarians are now recommending that heartworm prevention be used year round. You should consider 1-800-PetMeds for all your prescription heartworm prevention medication needs.
"Pets and pools can equal disaster. Prevent free access to pools and always supervise a pet in a pool."
"Provide plenty of water and shade for your pets while they're enjoying the great outdoors so they can stay cool." Have you seen the selection bowls at 1-800-PetMeds?
"If you plan on traveling with your pet during the summer, take the time to prepare for your furry friends in advance. Many airlines have summer pet embargoes, and most trains and ships do not allow pets other than service animals. The HSUS has information on traveling with your pet that may make the difference between a pleasant trip and a vacation nightmare." 1-800-PetMeds has a variety of products that can be used in order to make travelling with your anxious pet easier.
"Pets need exercise even when it is hot, but extra care needs to be taken with older dogs, short-nosed dogs, and those with thick coats. On very hot days, limit exercise to early morning or evening hours. Keep in mind that asphalt gets very hot and can burn your pet's paws."
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Summer Care Tips for Pets
Thursday, June 21, 2007, is the summer solstice, the longest day of the year, marking the official start of summer.
Those of us who live in Florida are prepared for warm (hot) weather. We wear cooler clothing, drink lots of water, wear hats, apply sunscreen, etc. With the arrival of summer the rest of the country has to enter "living in hot weather" mode.
We don't want to forget some important summertime tips for pets and The Humane Society of the United States offers tips for pet owners on how to keep their pets safe during the summer. Over the next few days, I'll provide you with their suggestions. Here's the first:
"In nice weather you may be tempted to take your pet with you in the car while you travel or do errands. But during warm weather, the inside of your car can reach 120° in a matter of minutes, even if you're parked in the shade. This can mean real trouble for your companion animals left in the car. Dogs and cats can't perspire and can only dispel heat by panting and through the pads of their feet. Pets who are left in hot cars even briefly can suffer from heat exhaustion, heat stroke, brain damage, and can even die. Don't think that just because you'll be gone "just a minute" that your pet will be safe while you're gone; even an air conditioned car with the motor off isn't healthy for your pet. To avoid any chance that your pet will succumb to the heat of a car this summer, be sure to play it safe by leaving your pet cool and refreshed at home while you're on the road. And if you do happen to see a pet in a car alone during the hot summer months, alert the management of the store where the car is parked. If the owner does not return promptly, call local animal control or the police department immediately. For more information, check out our page on pets and hot cars. "
"It is very dangerous, and in some states illegal, to drive with a dog in the back of a pick-up truck. Not only can flying debris cause serious injury, but a dog may be unintentionally thrown into traffic if the driver suddenly hits the brakes, swerves, or is hit by another car. Dogs should ride either in the cab (in a crate or wearing a seat belt harness designed for dogs) or in a secured crate in the bed of the truck."
Those of us who live in Florida are prepared for warm (hot) weather. We wear cooler clothing, drink lots of water, wear hats, apply sunscreen, etc. With the arrival of summer the rest of the country has to enter "living in hot weather" mode.
We don't want to forget some important summertime tips for pets and The Humane Society of the United States offers tips for pet owners on how to keep their pets safe during the summer. Over the next few days, I'll provide you with their suggestions. Here's the first:
"In nice weather you may be tempted to take your pet with you in the car while you travel or do errands. But during warm weather, the inside of your car can reach 120° in a matter of minutes, even if you're parked in the shade. This can mean real trouble for your companion animals left in the car. Dogs and cats can't perspire and can only dispel heat by panting and through the pads of their feet. Pets who are left in hot cars even briefly can suffer from heat exhaustion, heat stroke, brain damage, and can even die. Don't think that just because you'll be gone "just a minute" that your pet will be safe while you're gone; even an air conditioned car with the motor off isn't healthy for your pet. To avoid any chance that your pet will succumb to the heat of a car this summer, be sure to play it safe by leaving your pet cool and refreshed at home while you're on the road. And if you do happen to see a pet in a car alone during the hot summer months, alert the management of the store where the car is parked. If the owner does not return promptly, call local animal control or the police department immediately. For more information, check out our page on pets and hot cars. "
"It is very dangerous, and in some states illegal, to drive with a dog in the back of a pick-up truck. Not only can flying debris cause serious injury, but a dog may be unintentionally thrown into traffic if the driver suddenly hits the brakes, swerves, or is hit by another car. Dogs should ride either in the cab (in a crate or wearing a seat belt harness designed for dogs) or in a secured crate in the bed of the truck."
Friday, June 15, 2007
Overweight Dogs
According to data from the American Veterinary Medical Association, about 40% of dogs in the United States are overweight (5-20% over ideal weight) or obese (20% or more over ideal weight).
While over the counter (OTC) weight reduction products such as Vetri-Lean Plus Chewable Tablets have been on the market for a while, earlier this year, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Slentrol (dirlotapide) manufactured by Pfizer Animal Health. Slentrol is the first, and only, veterinary approved obesity drug for use in dogs in the United States. Slentrol is available as a 5mg/ml solution intended to be given to dogs once a day as part of an overall weight management program that includes proper diet and physical exercise. Slentrol reduces a dog's appetite and therefore causes the dog to eat less. How it reduces the dog's appetite is not fully known but it's proposed that the reduction of fat absorption in the gut signals the dog that it's not hungry. Slentrol should not be used in dogs undergoing corticosteroid therapy or those with liver disease. The most common side effects in dogs are vomiting, diarrhea, drowsiness, and anorexia. While these symptoms usually disappear within two days the veterinarian should be contacted if these symptoms continue.
Slentrol should not be used in cats.
Slentrol should never be taken by humans.
Dog owners giving Slentrol to their pet will need to have regular evaluations of their pets progress by the veterinarian.
While over the counter (OTC) weight reduction products such as Vetri-Lean Plus Chewable Tablets have been on the market for a while, earlier this year, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Slentrol (dirlotapide) manufactured by Pfizer Animal Health. Slentrol is the first, and only, veterinary approved obesity drug for use in dogs in the United States. Slentrol is available as a 5mg/ml solution intended to be given to dogs once a day as part of an overall weight management program that includes proper diet and physical exercise. Slentrol reduces a dog's appetite and therefore causes the dog to eat less. How it reduces the dog's appetite is not fully known but it's proposed that the reduction of fat absorption in the gut signals the dog that it's not hungry. Slentrol should not be used in dogs undergoing corticosteroid therapy or those with liver disease. The most common side effects in dogs are vomiting, diarrhea, drowsiness, and anorexia. While these symptoms usually disappear within two days the veterinarian should be contacted if these symptoms continue.
Slentrol should not be used in cats.
Slentrol should never be taken by humans.
Dog owners giving Slentrol to their pet will need to have regular evaluations of their pets progress by the veterinarian.
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