Summertime Safety

Hot Fun In The Summertime!

Sammy Chillin'!

It's the first day of summer and time to enjoy the outdoors with your pooch.  Because we care about your dog as much as you do, here are some summertime tips to keep your pet happy and healthy this season!  

Remember, if you're out with your dog and the heat gets to be too much for him, you can drop your doggy off for a few hours while you bask in the sun.  We have "Dog Parking" for up to 3 hours!

Now, here are a few summer safety tips from the experts at American Kennel Club to keep in mind over the next few months:

Heat:
-Never leave your dog in a closed vehicle on a hot day. The temperature inside a car can rise to over 100 degrees in a matter of minutes.
-Try to avoid prolonged exposure to hot asphalt or sand, which can burn your dog's paws.-Dogs that are brachycephalic (short-faced), such as Bulldogs, Boxers, Japanese Chins, and Pekingese, have an especially hard time in the heat because they do not pant as efficiently as longer-faced dogs. Keep your brachycephalic dog inside with air-conditioning.

 Suede prefers the AC!

The Great Outdoors:-Make sure your dog's vaccinations are up to date, especially since dogs tend to stay outdoors longer and come into contact with other animals more during the summer months.
-Fleas and ticks, and the mosquitos which carry heartworm disease, are more prevalent in warmer months. Ask your veterinarian for an effective preventive to keep these parasites off your dog.

Beatrice loves hugs, not skeeters!

Hitting the Beach:
-Dogs, especially those with short hair, white fur, and pink skin, can sunburn. Limit your dog's exposure during the day and apply sunblock to his ears and nose 30 minutes before going outside.
-Running on the sand is strenuous exercise. A dog that is out of shape can easily pull a tendon or ligament, so keep a check on your dog's activity.
-Do not let your dog drink seawater; the salt will make him sick.

Who needs the beach?  Lexi and Moby have each other!

Heatstroke 101:
Early stages of heatstroke: Heavy panting, rapid breathing, excessive drooling, bright red gums and tongue, standing 4-square, posting or spreading out in an attempt to maintain balance.
Advanced stages: White or blue gums, lethargy, unwillingness to move, uncontrollable urination or defecation, labored, noisy breathing, shock.

If your dog begins to exhibit signs of heatstroke, you should immediately try to cool the dog down by applying ice packs to the groin area, or applying rubbing alcohol to the dog's paw pads. Allow the dog to drink some cool water. Once the dog's temperature has stabilized at between 100 to 102 degrees, you can stop the cool-down process. Otherwise, take the dog to the vet right away.

Whew!  What a long day for Titus.