Ahhh, Summertime. We look forward to warm sunny days, but it's important to take precautions that protect our pets. The biggest danger is hyperthermia- when your pet's body generates more what than it dissipates. The extreme rise in body temperature is a medical emergency requiring immediate treatment to prevent the failure of organs and death! Anytime your pet has been exposed to high temperatures, check for excessive drooling or panting, reddened gums, rapid or irregular heartbeat, disorientation, vomiting blood, seizures, or signs of shock. 

Dehydration is also a threat in hot weather. Symptoms include sticky or pale gums, lethargy, decreased urination, and appetite loss. Other pet hazards include sunburn, burns from hot pavement, and increased exposure to other animals carrying diseases. Don't let these risks spoil their fun! Follow these tips for a safe summer.

- Keep dogs and cats indoors during extreme heat except for short potty breaks in the shade.

- Walk dogs during the coolest hours of the day.

-Don't allow pets to walk on hot pavement. If it's too hot for your feet, it's too hot for theirs! 

-Keep water dishes full and cool.

-Avoid sunburn on light-colored short-haired dogs. Reconsider shaving your pet. Their coat helps prevent dehydration and protects their skin from sunburn and insects.

-Watch pets around pools and lakes. Don't assume they can't drown!

-NEVER LEAVE ANY PET IN A CAR. With an outside temp of only 78 degrees, the temperature inside a parked car can reach 120 degrees in minutes! Shade and cracked windows do not prevent this, and many pets are lost to hyperthermia each summer.

Common sense will go a long way in protecting your pet. Do have fun and get outside with your pet when it is safe to do so, and call us immediately if you see any symptoms of heat-related illness! AMSH Tulsa (918) 492-2674, AMSHE Broken Arrow (918) 355-5662