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Health & Fitness

HEAT, PICNICS, AND THE 4TH OF JULY – OH MY!

If you could pick one day of the year that spells potentially serious health and safety issues for your pets, the 4th of July just might be it.

Have a wonderful day today, and please consider these preventive measures so that you don’t have to spend any portion of what would have been your celebration at the veterinary emergency clinic.

LOUD NOISES – Thunderstorms and fireworks can create HIGH ANXIETY in your pets.  While products exist that promise to lessen the stress of these scary noises, there is no substitution for common sense.  Leave pets at home rather than take them to 4th of July fireworks displays.  Keep them inside until any thunderstorms have passed and fireworks have subsided.  Animal shelters traditionally receive an increased number of “lost pet” reports the day after July 4th due to pets who were not confined to their homes and ran away out of fear to escape the loud noises.

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PICNICS  – Certain foods are toxic to animals – GRAPES, RAISINS, GARLIC, ONIONS, CHOCOLATE, SOME NUTS, to name a few.  Alcoholic beverages, sodas, and caffeine drinks are unhealthy for your pets.  Food droppings from picnics and al fresco dinners on the patio should be cleaned up immediately, especially meat scraps, bones of any sort, and corn cobs.  Most pets are not used to eating potato chips, yeasty hotdog and hamburger rolls, condiments, and potato salad, all and any of which can wreak havoc on a pet’s digestive system.  Also watch out for BREATH MINTS and CHEWING GUM which contain XYLITOL – very toxic to all pets. 

HEAT Today’s temps are headed for 90 degrees.  Most picnics take place in the full heat of the day from early afternoon to evening.  Gatherings of people, children, and dogs make for a lot of excitement and activity.  While most people might be conscious of the need for sunscreen, there is no such product for pets.  As a result, they are subject to being in direct sun for several hours, many with dark coats that attract heat, and their body cooling systems are not as effective as ours.  Having water readily available for pets is essential, but so is being mindful of the fact that pets can get overheated quickly.  Heat stroke can be deadly and can happen in a short period of time.

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CODE ORANGE and RED DAYS - When you hear the news media barrage the public with warnings to stay indoors as much as possible, this goes for your pets as well.  Breathing unhealthy air is not good for ANYTHING THAT BREATHES.  Period.

For more information on ensuring a safe 4th of July and summer for your pet, please consult the following web sites:

http://www.healthypet.com/


Happy summer tails!

 





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