Surf & Turf

Summer is finally here and the lakes are filled with boaters and water-sport enthusiasts. We all know the laws of safety on the water. We check to make sure our boats are running properly, lights are working, and radios and emergency equipment are in tiptop shape. Of course, among the most important items to have are life vests, or flotation devices. You must have enough vests so that every rider on the boat has one.

Please do not forget your animal friends. It is very important that they are correctly fitted so that that, too, can have a fun day with you on the water. No excuses! You can find them in pet stores, specialty shops, online and in catalogs. They come in all sizes, from extra-extra small to extra-extra large. My 5-lb. Chihuahua fits in the former, and my son’s mastiff fits in the latter.

You may think that dogs don’t need to wear a vest because they know how to swim. If a disaster should happen, however, you dog may be thrown overboard and be knocked out or become disoriented. If the dog ends up out in the water for a long time or tries to swim to shore, it could become exhausted. A vest will keep it afloat until help arrives. Just because dogs may instinctively know how to swim doesn’t mean they like the water. They may panic if they were to find themselves thrown in, and because of that they may become exhausted more quickly.

Years ago, when we were having a party at my home, I went out on my pedal boat with a few people. At the time, my pet best friend always went out on the boat with me, just the two of use, and we would have a relaxing ride around the cover. The day of the party, however, there were many people in our yard and I asked them to keep an eye on the dog, to keep her back at the house. So off I went. I was pedaling around when I looked back and there was my dog, swimming after the boat. I didn’t expect this because she didn’t like to be in the water. I had to pedal back to shore to get her out of the water. This is a perfect example of what happens when everyone is watching but no one is really watching!

Another thing you have to be aware of is sun exposure. Animals can get skin cancer, just as we can. Their noses are very sensitive. The lighter their coloring, the more they are at risk. Check out your neighborhood pet store for good skin protection products for your pets.

Do you enjoy taking your pet best friend with you when you go out in the car for a ride or to run an errand? Please be aware of the temperature outside and understand that inside the vehicle it can be dangerously higher. You probably use your air conditioner when you are driving, but when you stop to go into a store, it gets shut off. Interior car temperatures can rise very quickly, and with deadly consequences. A dog’s brain can easily fry in a matter of minutes. You wouldn’t leave your child alone in a (hot) car, so please don’t leave your best four-legged friend there.

I admit that I take my dog with me all the time, but she is small. I use a bag carrier and bring her into stores with me. I never leave her alone in the car. Most dogs are larger and not as portable. Sometimes the safest place for them to be is home.

Another quick thought: Be aware of the fact that slate, blacktop and wood decking absorb heat from the sun. If it is too hot for you to walk barefoot on the surface, it is too hot for your pet.

Always have fresh water available. Never leave your pet tied up for an extended period of time. It has no way to get out of the sun on its own. Be careful at playtime, too. Make sure your pet doesn't experience heat exhaustion. Some signs of heat exhaustion are heavy panting, anxiousness, dizziness or confusion, weakness, very high temperature, diarrhea and vomiting. If any of these occur, first check body temperature. The normal temperature for a dog is 101 to 103 degrees.

Its temperature can shoot up to 104 degrees very quickly. If this happens, seek medical attention immediately for your pet, but first take steps to bring down its temperature. Go to a cooler location. Pour cool water. Be cautious about applying an ice pack to your dog's back because it could damage its internal organs beyond repair. 

If your dog is vomiting, do not give it food or water. Let it drink water only after its body temperature reaches 103 degrees. One the temperature has been brought back to normal and signs of heat exhaustion have diminished, take your dog to the vet for a complete check-up to determine if there are any long-term effects.

Prevention is key in keeping our pets healthy. The most important thing you can do during the summer months is to keep your pets hydrated and make sure they do not engage in any extreme exercise during the heat of the day. Our animals are not able to tell us when they aren't feeling well, so always be aware of your pets' behavior. If something doesn't seem right, it probably isn't.

Have a heart, be smart and think safety first.  

An Ounce of Prevention

The sun is shining and the air is fresh and clean. The outside is beckoning you and your best friend to enjoy the outside world. Go and have some fun. Before you venture out make sure you have taken precautionary steps to safeguard your pet from fleas, ticks and, of course, heartworm.

We are fortunate to have an easy way to keep our animals safe from these pesky critters that can cause such health issues if left untreated. Once a month you can put a topical treatment on your pet that helps to keep fleas and ticks away and also intestinal parasites. The same day you do that treatment you can give your pet a chewable tablet that prevents heartworm. What could be simpler! Now you are ready for the sun and fun. Remember, thought that even if you use these preventatives you may still find an occasional tick walking up their body toward its head.  You can usually find ticks around the ears, and fleas are most commonly found around the rump end of your pet.

When you are finished with playtime outside, give your pet a nice once over with your fingers. You can massage the head area and run your hands down your pet’s body.  See if you feel anything that doesn’t belong. This is also a great way to feel any other abnormalities on its body. When you get to the back-end area, lift the hair and see if there are any signs of fleas. Flea debris is black and gritty. When you are finished you can give your pet a quick brushing or combing. This is the perfect way to end a nice day with your best friend and a way for your pet to wind down. We all know our pets love the attention! Now I bet you will find yours will be asleep in a short while. Utter contentment!

There is another disease that you may not know about that your dog should be vaccinated against. It is called Leptospirosis. Here is the veterinary assistant in me coming out. Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that is passed from livestock and wildlife via the urine into water sources. The bacteria can be present in stagnant water such as puddles and also ponds and lakes. Leptospirosis is contagious and can be passed from dog to dog or dog to people. Talk to your veterinarian and find out the symptoms and look into getting your dog vaccinated.

If you have cats (we know you are keeping them indoors), you should also check them. Your dog may bring some uninvited guests into your home. Always keep an eye open and know what you are looking for.

Animal Welfare Society recently took in two beautiful cats that were left in a barn and when they arrived at our shelter they were covered with ticks. Their bodies were very much irritated, and our manager was concerned about anemia due to the fact that ticks feed off the animals blood supply. They were loaded up with supplements, and their bodies were shaved so the sores could heal. They are on their way to recovery and are very happy that they are safe from outdoor predators and have all the food they need. They will soon be ready for adoption. We know who ever adopts these cats will have wonderful companions for the rest of their lives.

There is a monthly topical treatment for cats that can keep them safe from a lot of parasites. Check with your veterinarian for the best product for your pet. Even though your cats may live indoors, the outdoors always finds a way in. Fleas can be brought in by people as well as other animals. Fleas can also be hosts for tapeworm and other parasites. An uninvited mouse can also bring fleas into your home. 

Heartworm can be carried indoors by mosquitoes. Heartworm has the potential to be lethal and as of now there is no known treatment for cats with heartworm. Over 25 percent of cats with proven heartworm infection are kept exclusively indoors.

Hookworm larvae can be found in sandboxes and can be transmitted to people. Cats become infected through ingestion of other infected animals such as birds, rodents or through mother’s milk.

Roundworm eggs are tracked indoors from dirt on shoes. Roundworm can also be passed to people and are very dangerous to young children and kittens.

Ear mites find their way indoors by dogs and other pets. Infected cats are at a greater risk for potentially serious bacterial infections.

We all know our dogs must be vaccinated for rabies—and, yes, even our indoor cats. Mice and bats can get into our homes very easily and carry rabies with them.

None of this should ever have to happen to your best friends.  If you take just a few extra minutes to regularly check your pets, they will stay free and clear and so will your household.

Have a wonderful spring!