How to Protect Your Pet from Heatstroke

07/07/2020

We all know that during this time of year the temperature can get much hotter than what we are used to. When we are playing and having fun outside, we forget that our pets are more susceptible to dehydration, overheating, and heatstroke than we are.

Heat-related illnesses should be taken seriously; it’s crucial to be informed on how easily our pets can get overheated, how to prevent heatstroke, and how to take action if your pet is showing symptoms.

Why do cats and dogs overheat?

Dogs and cats can overheat quickly, because they have higher body temperatures than we do and are unable to cool down as efficiently. Their bodies are designed for insulation from the cold and not for cooling down in intense heat.

Did you know, on an 85-degree day, the temperature inside a car with windows slightly open could reach 102 degrees in 10 minutes, and 120 degrees in 30 minutes? Within a short period of time, our pets can experience severe damage to their brain, heart, liver, and nervous system.

Take a look at this video showing veterinarian Dr. Ernie Ward capturing what it’s like for a dog to be trapped in a car for only 30 minutes:

How to Prevent Heatstroke

Practice these safety tips to make sure your pet doesn’t get overheated:

Never leave pets in a parked car

Do not ever leave your pet in a parked car, not even for a minute with the A/C on. Temperatures inside a vehicle can rise rapidly. If you see a pet in a parked car, inform the owner or a store attendant immediately. It is also appropriate to call the police or the humane society.

Watch humidity

If the humidity level is too high, pets are unable to cool themselves down and their body temperature will rise to dangerous levels. Ideally you would like to aim for 60% humidity in your home, so be aware of levels that exceed this wherever your dog may be.

Limit outdoor exercise

On hot days, limit exercise to morning or evening hours. Asphalt can get very hot and burn their paws, so walk your pet on the grass when possible.

Water and shade

Whenever your pet is playing outside, make sure there is cold water; even add ice when there’s intense heat and humidity. Also, tree shade and tarps are ideal — not a doghouse; those will not provide relief.

Cool your pet down

Use a cooling body wrap, vest, or mat to help them release heat, or if they don’t mind baths, it’s beneficial to give them a cool soak.

What to Do If Your Pet is Showing Symptoms of Heatstroke

Monitor your pet closely when they are outside. Overheating and heatstroke symptoms include:

Deep red or purple tongue
Dizziness
Excessive thirst
Fever
Glazed eyes
Heavy panting or trouble breathing
Lack of coordination
Lethargy
Profuse salivation
Paleness
Rapid heartbeat
Rectal bleeding
Seizure
Unconsciousness
Vomiting

If your pet is showing three or more of these symptoms, they may be experiencing heatstroke and you should immediately contact GVAH or the closest veterinary clinic.

If you have questions or concerns about heat-related illnesses, the staff at GVAH is more than happy to assist you. You may stop in, call our office at 701-757-3500, or email us at info@grandvalleyvet.com.

03/18/2022

Important Advice to Protect Your Pet Against Tick Diseases and…

In Pet Health

As excited as we are for the arrival of spring, we can’t forget about the hazards outside that can potentially harm our pets. Let’s learn about what we should be aware of when our four-legged friends are playing outside and how to keep them safe.

PARASITES & DISEASES

Ticks

Ticks and tick-borne illnesses, like Lyme disease, can be spread through humans and animals. Lyme disease left untreated can spread to the joints, heart, and nervous system and create painful arthritis. In addition to vaccinating your pet annually for Lyme disease, deter ticks and fleas with an oral medication such as Simparica TRIO™ or BRAVECTO® for dogs and BRAVECTO® PLUS for cats.

Fleas

Though fleas are small, they can cause big issues. Fleas can cause itching, hair loss, skin allergies, or infections and even pass on other parasites like tapeworm to your pet. Fleas tend to live in the same shady, protected areas where your animals love to lie down outside.

Once a flea infestation has taken hold of your pet’s fur, your home is likely to become a flea circus as well. Sanitizing your home and yard when infestations occur will help to break the cycle. However, treating your pet with an approved flea prevention is the best way to stop fleas in their tracks and will save you time and money in the long run.

Heartworms

Heartworms are parasitic worms that can affect the lungs, heart, and blood vessels of our pets. They can be painful and potentially fatal if not treated. Dogs, and occasionally cats, are susceptible to heartworm disease, which is passed through mosquitoes.

More time outside means more potential for mosquitoes to prey on your pets, but you can’t simply use insect repellents on animals since they can be toxic to dogs and cats. Instead, protect your furry friends against mosquito bites – and the risk of heartworms – by keeping them indoors during high-risk time periods, removing stagnant water in your yard, and keeping them away from marshy areas.

PREVENTION

What can you use to protect your pets from these pests and your pocketbook from costly treatment for these diseases? At Grand Valley, we work to find the best option for you and your animals. We offer the most powerful, convenient preventative medications available that will help keep your dog or cat safe and healthy from pesky parasites.

4DX Testing

GVAH recommends bringing in your pet yearly for 4DX testing. The 4DX test is a quick and simple blood test that screens for four diseases that affect our dogs: heartworm, Lyme, anaplasmosis, and ehrlichia.

Preventative Medications

We also recommend a year-round prescription preventative medication regimen to help protect your pet. For dogs, we offer heartworm and internal parasite preventatives like Interceptor® Plus to help stop heartworms, tapeworms, and other worms before they become an issue. For cats, we offer BRAVECTO® PLUS for protection from fleas and ticks, heartworm disease, and some intestinal worms.

Simparica TRIO™ provides your dog with the most advanced parasite preventative benefits in a single easy-to-give, liver-flavored monthly chewable that can be given with or without food. This simple solution prevents heartworm disease, kills fleas and ticks, and treats roundworms and hookworms in your pet. This medication is safe for puppies as young as eight weeks old that weigh at least 2.8 pounds.

BRAVECTO® PLUS protects your cat from fleas and ticks, prevents heartworm disease, and treats intestinal worms, including roundworms and hookworms. This premium product helps to ease the stress of treatment by offering convenient long-lasting, single topical doses that last two months.

To learn more about pet preventative medications we offer or to order prescription refills, contact our staff at GVAH. If you require a specific product, take a look at our online store. We offer a wide variety of options and are more than happy to assist you in finding the right items for your pet.

01/26/2022

What to Expect when You’re Expecting to Adopt a Puppy…

In Pet Ownership

You’re getting your very first pet, and it’s beneficial to both you and your new pet to keep some key points in mind as your puppy or kitten grows. Read on to find out more about the different life stages of pets.

Dogs – from Puppy to Adult Dog

At birth, puppies don’t have most of their senses yet – they can’t hear or see, and they don’t regulate their body temperature or eliminate without help. At about two to three weeks puppy first opens his eyes, and he gradually begins to develop his other senses after that. Before you even meet your new pup, your breeder should have already begun introducing smells and noises to him in the first two to three months, which will help him to become socialized as he interacts with littermates, people, and other pets. This is a crucial time in a puppy’s development, and he will depend on you to continue the socialization regimen as well as take on a primary role in his training when you bring him home.

At what age is your puppy considered an adult? This depends on the type of dog he is. Smaller breeds tend to reach adulthood earlier than large breeds, but in general, the puppy stage can last anywhere from six to 18 months. During this stage, it is especially important to take the time to train him so that proper dog etiquette becomes second nature. Make sure he gets his vaccination shots starting around this time too, and to keep him boosted on schedule as he matures. Depending on your dog’s breed, he reaches senior age at six to ten years, so be prepared to give him some extra TLC at that stage.

Cats – from Kitten to Adult Cat

Kitten is only two weeks old when she begins to develop her senses of sight and smell, and about a month old when she picks up many of the familiar behaviors we associate with cats, such as grooming and exploring. In another week she has found her way to the litter box and is well on her way to expressing her independence. Be mindful of this if you take a notion to pick up a kitten for snuggles, as it may take some time and training for her to appreciate it in the way you intend it.

Your cat will go through several stages as she matures. She is a kitten up to six months of age, by which time she should have developed good behavioral habits. Around this age, you’ll want to ask your veterinarian about the various vaccination options available for her. Cats up to two years old are called “junior” cats and reach prime adulthood around three to six years. When your cat is between the ages of seven and ten years old, she’s mature, and at 11-14, she’s considered a senior cat. It’s not uncommon for cats to live even longer than that, reaching the venerable geriatric stage beginning at age 15. Remember to pay special attention to your cat’s health at her most vulnerable stages, and she should live a long and happy life.

Here at Grand Valley Animal Hospital, we know you want the best care for your pet, for every age and stage. We’re here to help with answers to all your pet care questions. Reach us at (701)757-3500.