Wasson Memorial Veterinary Clinic
3083 Highway 175 Lakeport, California 95453 707.263.5380 Fax: 707.263.1525
Common Household Dangers
Below is a listing of items that should be kept safely
stored and away from your pet:
As a pet owner, there are other areas of the house that should be made "pet-proof" to nsure the health and safety of your pet:
Keep all electric cords out of reach or covered by a chew-proof guard.
Puppies and kittens will chew on anything.
Don't leave any medicines on tables, chairs, or in open cabinets.
Cover your outside pool or pond. Many heavily-coated dogs and cats may be unable to swim to safety when their coats are soaking wet.
Keep all painting supplies in closed cabinets.
Pet Safety
HOT WEATHER
Every year, many pets suffer and die from heat exhaustion because their owner thought it would be "OK" to leave the pets in the vehicle. Nothing is further from the truth. Below are several tips and ideas to ensure your pet's safety during the hot summer months.
• Never leave your pet in the car. The sun can raise the temperature in the car to 120 degrees Fahrenheit within minutes.
• Your pet needs access to lots of fresh water during the summer, so check water bowls several times a day to be sure it's full. If you go outside, be sure to bring plenty of water for both of you. • If they're extra thirsty, pets are bound to drink
something they shouldn't drink. Puddles of what looks like water may be on the ground, but they may include antifreeze or other dangerous chemicals. Antifreeze has a sweet taste to dogs and cats, but it is toxic and can kill. • Your pet can get sunburned, and can cause some of the same problems as with people: pain, peeling, and skin cancer. Keep your pet out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. When you do go outside, rub a bit of pet safe sunblock on unprotected areas like the tips of the ears, the skin around the lips, and the tip of the nose. Some sunblock can be dangerous to your pets. A rule of thumb: If it's safe for babies, it's safe for your pets. • Don't overdo it in the heat. Keep walks to a gentle pace. If your pet is panting a lot or seems exhausted, it's time to stop. • Even if they're in the shade, animals can get sick
quickly on hot days. Keep them inside as much as possible. If you have to leave them outside, check on them regularly.
• Watch for Heatstroke - It can be fatal! If you suspect your pet has heatstroke, 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. If you suspect that your pet is suffering from heat stroke, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Signs of Heatstroke are:
• Panting • Staring • Anxious expression
• Refusal to obey commands • Warm, dry skin • High fever
• Rapid heartbeat • Vomiting • Collapse
Wasson Memorial Veterinary Clinic ©2020 | Privacy Policy