Pet Safety

We love our pets! For many people, pets are a part of the family. If you're a "pet person," then you'll likely be very much in touch with your pet and his or her emotions. For most of the year, the routine we follow with our pets doesn't require much adjustments. When the summer months arrive in Los Angeles, it's a good idea to give some consideration to the health of your pet. 

Insect bites can be the most dangerous summer danger that your pet will face. Ranging from heart worm to ear mites, those pesky little bugs can make your pet miserable and add considerably to your veterinarian bill. Even if you live in an area where you can let your pets roam without a leash, it's a good idea to leash them when its hot and other safety factors exist. Ticks are, as just one example, more easily acquired when your pet runs through tall grass and bushes. Snake bite is another risk that can be avoided by walking your pet on a leash. And remember, after a long walk, check your pet's body and ears for ticks. You will be able to see them, and removal is pretty easy, using a sharp tweezers. The spot should be cleaned of any blood with an alcohol dipped cotton ball. Ear mites can be kept away from your pet with a flea collar and with an occasional wiping of the inner ear with an alcohol dipped cotton ball.

Climate is a huge issue for pets. Dogs are often with us when we travel, and as such, they may be at increased risk. There are some key factors related to pet safety and each item is of equal importance, as follows:

• Pets are living creatures. Some people forget that pets are not playthings. They live and breath - and think - just like people do. Regardless of your position on where pets fit into our culture and IQ ratings, they are capable of key emotions: fear, anger, delight, security, comfort, heat, cold, etc. Don't put your pet's emotions at risk, because if you do, that means their health may be in danger, too.
• Never leave your pet in your car or truck. Even if the weather seems "nice" to you, your vehicle is no place for an animal left alone. Even if the temperature is only 70 degrees outside, a vehicle left in sunlight can rapidly see an increase of temperature to 120 degrees or higher. If you need to shop without the pets, leave them at home.
• Water, water, water! Proper hydration is critical to your pet's good health. Before you leave for the day, or even to run errands, check the water bowl. If you travel with your pet, make certain to not only stop for water, but bring some in your vehicle with you as well. It's easy to stop and "have a drink" together.
• Pets need sunscreen too. Skin is an organ, regardless of whether its covered with hair, fur, or nothing at all. Sunburn in animals can cause problems similar to those it can cause in people, including pain, peeling, and skin cancer. So keep your pet out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., and when you do go out, rub a bit of sunblock on unprotected areas like the tips of her ears, the skin around her lips, and the tip of her nose.
• Say no to tangles. Keeping your pet well groomed will help her hair do what it was designed to do: protect her from the sun and insulate her from the heat. If she has extremely thick hair or a lot of mats and tangles, her fur may trap too much heat, so you may want to clip her.
• Watch out for antifreeze. Hot weather may tempt your pet to drink from puddles in the street, which can contain antifreeze and other chemicals. Antifreeze has a sweet taste that animals like, but it's extremely toxic. No drinking from the street!
• Be cautious on humid days.Humidity interferes with animals' ability to rid themselves of excess body heat. When we overheat we sweat, and when the sweat dries it takes excess heat with it. Our four-legged friends only perspire around their paws, which is not enough to cool the body. To rid themselves of excess heat, animals pant. Air moves through the nasal passages, which picks up excess heat from the body. As it is expelled through the mouth, the extra heat leaves along with it. Although this is a very efficient way to control body heat, it is severely limited in areas of high humidity or when the animal is in close quarters.
• Make sure your pet doesn't overexert and as a result, suffer from heat exhaustion. Though exercise is an important part of keeping your dog or cat at a healthy weight, too much of a workout can lead to medical issues. If its hot, don't have your pet do more than you would do. And, if you're in top athletic condition, that doesn't mean your pet can keep up with you. Try to walk or hike at the very end of the day or just as dawn is breaking.
• Take it easy on pets that can't deal with the heat. Elderly, very young, and ill animals have a hard time regulating their body temperature, so make sure they stay cool and out of the sun on steamy summer days. Dogs with snub noses, such as Pekingese, pugs, and bulldogs, have a hard time staying cool because they can't pant efficiently, so they also need to stay out of the heat. Overweight dogs are also more prone to overheating, because their extra layers of fat act as insulation, which traps heat in their bodies and restricts their breathing capabilities.
• Bring them inside. Animals shouldn't be left outside unsupervised on long, hot days, even in the shade. Shade can move throughout the afternoon, and pets can become ill quickly if they overheat, so keep them inside as much as possible.
• Keep an eye out for heatstroke. Heatstroke is a medical emergency. If you suspect your pet has heatstroke, act quickly and calmly. Call a veterinarian immediately. In the meantime, lower the animal's body temperature by applying towels soaked in cool water to the hairless areas of the body. Often the pet will respond after only a few minutes of cooling, only to falter again with his temperature soaring back up or falling to well below what is normal. Get the animal to a veterinarian immediately. Once your pet is in the veterinarian's care, treatment may include further cooling techniques, intravenous fluid therapy to counter shock, or medication to prevent brain damage.