39 - Dog Days of Summer
Just back from a walk with Buzz and I realize that Summer has again hit full force, right behind Winter, with little-to-no Spring to give us time to adjust to the changes. Summer is my favorite season, but it poses risks for our pets, including heat stroke, insect and snake bites, poisoning, and pests.
Please remember: your car becomes an oven when the temperature goes up. On an 85 degree day, the temperature of the inside of the car can reach 120 degrees within 20 minutes. The metal floor in the back of a pickup truck is equally dangerous. Dogs cannot cool off as easily or quickly as do people. Many dogs love to go, but the kindest thing you can do is leave them home if you will be out of your car even briefly. Your dog will forgive you, trust me. Bring home a special treat for him if it will help ease your conscience. Don’t forget to check out the website: http://www.mydogiscool.com/. They have lots of tips and you can print out flyers for cars and stores to remind people that pets cannot survive the temperatures inside a car on a summer day.
While Cupcake sits at home, waiting for your return, be sure she has plenty to drink and, if she is outside, a good amount of shade in which to lie. A baby pool filled with water can become a welcoming doggie spa. Most dog houses have limited ventilation and can be just as deadly as a car unless protected from the sun’s rays. There should be water bowl nearby, preferably one that is large and heavy, one that will not be overturned easily.
Bees and wasps provide lots of opportunities for a game of chase and snap for dogs, but they also pose risks as some dogs are allergic to insect stings. Look for swelling and apply ice to the swollen area, watch closely for signs such as disorientation, drooling, or trouble breathing, as these may indicate a serious reaction to the sting. If that happens, get to a veterinary clinic immediately. Many people keep Benadryl ® in their first aid kits as a first line of defense. It can help, but in a serious emergency, nothing can replace an emergency clinic.
Snakes - the very mention of them makes me nervous. Venomous snakes in Tennessee include the Northern and Southern copperhead, the Timber Rattlesnake, the Western Cottonmouth, and the Western Pygmy Rattlesnake. Preventing an encounter is the best suggestion I have. Clean out areas where snakes like to be – wood piles, trashy areas, and heavy underbrush. Keep your yard mowed to make spotting snakes easier. Walk your dog on leash if you will be in areas such as trails and parks where snakes may be common. Teach her a good “Leave It!” Of course, if your dog is bitten, try to identify the type of snake so the veterinarian may administer the correct antivenin. If you don’t know your snake species or are reluctant to hang around to try to identify it, attempt to remember as much as possible about its size, markings, and coloring. All information can be useful.
Summertime presents unique sources of poisoning for your pets. Fertilizers contain heavy metals which can cause severe gastric distress to your pet. Some also contain pesticides. The ASPCA Poison Control Center reports fertilizers to be in their top ten list of pet poisons, and they fielded over 2000 calls relating to fertilizer poisoning last year alone. Also on their top ten list are chemicals which are in use more frequently in the summer – pool chemicals, paints and thinners, and antifreeze. To get a full listing of materials which pose a poison danger for your pet, check out the ASPCA poison control website: http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/. Be sure to keep their number ((888) 426-4435 ) near the phone.
In case you haven’t noticed, it’s also flea and tick season. This year’s fleas are almost the size of roaches. Reports are already beginning to surface regarding the resistance of these pests to the usual preventatives. Even more frightening, the EPA has published a report with concerns over many of the products available, including the more popular “spot ons.” The report may be viewed at http://www.epa.gov/opp00001/health/flea-tick-control.html. Flea and tick control comes down to personal preference, from chemical eradication to more natural methods of control. If you choose chemical, talk with your vet as the ingredient in over the counter medications, permethrin or pymethrin, have been linked to adverse effects in pets. If you prefer natural, which does not automatically mean safe, do some research. Look for products safe for all age pets. A new product, juniperus virginiana redcedar, is showing some promise. Developed by the U.S. Army, tested by Iowa State University, this product is currently used in Iraq on personnel to combat the Desert Sand Flea without chemicals and without causing skin rashes (http://www.ehow.com/how_4861221_protect-flea-killers-safe-insecticide.html). There are many products on the market. Whatever your choice, please do some research before choosing and always follow the instructions. Avoid overdosing and don’t use dog products on cats.
Take a little extra time and care to prepare for the challenges of summer, then go out and have fun with your best four-legged friend!
Jan Casey owns Smiles and Wags Pet Services in Cookeville. She offers reward-based training and behavior consultations. Send questions to jan@smilesandwags.com or call 931-510-0119.