By Paw Prints
Heidi Bassler, veterinarian
July 18, 2008 12:08 am The glorious days of summer have begun. Warm sun and outdoor activities abound for everyone. It's a fun time with our pets. However, cats and dogs can suffer from summer problems, including heatstroke, sunburn, water dangers and poison ivy. Heatstroke is a common summer danger for pets. Dogs and cats have sweat glands on their nose and paw pads only, so sweating is not as effective as it is for people. Dogs pant to cool themselves. (Cats will pant, too, when very hot or stressed.) This allows warm air to be expelled and cool air to be inhaled. The normal body temperature for dogs and cats is 101 to 102 degrees. An increase of several degrees to 105 degrees can be serious, and 108 degrees can be deadly. What can you do to prevent this? Do not leave your pet in a parked car, even for a few minutes. This is the single most frequent cause of heatstroke in dogs. Researchers at Stanford University found cracking the windows makes little difference. Parking in the shade also does not prevent temperatures from skyrocketing. According to the Humane Society, on a balmy 72-degree day, a car's interior can reach 105 degrees within 30 minutes. When it reaches 85 degrees outside, it can take just 10 minutes for the temperature in the car to soar. Make sure your pet has access to shade and fresh water. Even better, keep pets indoors with air conditioning or a fan when it is really hot. Also, avoid exercise during the hottest hours of the day. If you own a short-nosed dog, such as a pug or boxer, be extra careful because these breeds are more susceptible to overheating. Certain health conditions, such as heart disease, breathing problems and obesity, can also increase the risk of heatstroke. It's important for pet owners to be able to recognize the signs of heatstroke. Initially, the animal will look tired, pant fiercely and have bright red gums and tongue. If heatstroke progresses, the pet may stagger, vomit, collapse and seizure. Heatstroke is a medical emergency. First aid involves cooling your pet, however you can. Your hose, fans or air conditioning might help. Use cool, not cold, water because lowering the body temperature too rapidly can also be dangerous. Then get your pet to your veterinarian immediately. Time is critical. Another summer danger for pets is sunburn. We apply sunscreen ourselves, but we don't tend to think of it for our cats and dogs. Pets with white markings on thinly haired areas are at greatest risk. White-eared cats can repeatedly sunburn the tips of their ears, which appears as redness, cracking and bleeding, and may lead to a form of skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma. White-faced dogs and cats can develop similar problems on the bridge of their noses. Another common area for sunburn occurs in dogs that like to lie on their backs. If the dog has sparse hair on its tummy or thighs, this area is prone to sun damage. Keeping fair-haired pets indoors when the sun's rays are most intense, from mid-morning until mid-afternoon, is the best way to prevent a problem. Sunscreen may also be applied to the affected areas. Talk to your veterinarian about which product to use. Your veterinarian should also check any skin problem that does not resolve in a few days. We monitor our children near swimming pools and lakes, but how many of us worry about our pets? Swimming pools are the most common man-made drowning location for pets. Dogs can drown in pools, oceans, lakes, bathtubs and toilets. Those at greatest risk include puppies and elderly dogs, as well as those that are prone to seizure, have decreased vision or are otherwise debilitated. It's fun to take a dog boating or swimming, but close supervision near water is important. Fences around swimming pools may help. Life jackets are also available for dogs. Poison ivy is a dreadful summer nuisance for most people. Interestingly, though, this rarely affects our furry counterparts. A word of warning though — dogs and cats that come into contact with poison ivy can carry the sap on their fur to their owners. If you are allergic to poison ivy and think your pet just romped through it, you may want to don some protective gear and give your pet a bath. The same summer safety precautions we follow for our children can serve as guidelines for our dogs and cats, too. Enjoy the summer with your pet. nnn Dr. Heidi Bassler is medical director of the Veterinary Center of Greater Newburyport. Do you have questions for Dr. Bassler? Send them to ndn@newburyportnews.com. ><p>
—
Copyright © 1999-2008 cnhi, inc.