THE HEAT....And We Aren't Talking Summer Movies

Please go to this link immediately and read!!

http://www.google.org/publicalerts/alert?aid=bc47ff342adaf7d3&hl=en&gl=US&source=web

This week is testing every living creature in The Heat department.  Temperatures are very high, with a negative air quality index – CODE ORANGE – that began yesterday and continues more severely today.  The heat index has been about 10 degrees higher than the registered temperature, due to high humidity levels.  Today, the National Weather Service has changed the conditions from a heat advisory to a HEAT WARNING, which is more severe.

What does this mean for your pets?  Basically, it means that the precautions for people should also be extended to dogs, cats, and other outside pets.  Today especially, but every day when heat conditions have been like they’ve been this past week, pets should not be outside for any length of time, especially between the hours of 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.  Pets should have access to plenty of water and cool conditions, just like people.  Pets should get a reprieve from their regular exercise, especially during critical hours.  Pets should be monitored for heat stroke, just like people who are considered to be most vulnerable – the very young, the elderly, the sick or recovering, and those with heart and respiratory problems.

Heat stroke can be deadly

Pets do not sweat like people do.  They pant.  Panting is not as effective at cooling the body as sweating.  Therefore, pets are at more risk for heat stroke than people in hot weather, regardless of the athletic shape they’re in.  Symptoms of heat stroke in pets include:  heavy panting, difficulty in breathing, bright red tongue and mucous membranes, unsteady walking, often followed by nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and eventual collapse. If your pet exhibits any of these symptoms of heat stroke, you can immerse the pet in cold, NOT ICY, water immediately or by spraying the pet with a hose, making sure the paws get cooled with the rest of the body.  It is necessary to get your pet to a veterinarian immediately as well, since time is of the essence.  The scary part for pet owners to realize here is that complications such as kidney failure from heat stroke and excessive dehydration might not present themselves right away.  All pet owners are advised to familiarize themselves with this link to Pets WebMD for the proper action to take in the event their pet is adversely affected by the heat.

http://pets.webmd.com/dogs/heat-stroke-dehydration-dogs

Hot cars are deadly

When asked what particular medical cases come through her clinic in July and August that she and her colleagues feel are the most important to bring to the public’s attention, my veterinarian immediately said that owners leaving pets in hot cars is at the top of her case list.  It’s been pointed out before, but apparently it cannot be emphasized enough:  DO NOT LEAVE YOUR PETS IN YOUR CAR.  Not even for two minutes.  With temps at record highs this week, it takes only a few minutes for temperatures inside a car to soar 20 degrees higher than what the outside temperature is.  Heat stroke and even death can occur as a result of being overheated.  The kindest and most proactive action you can take is to leave your pet at home during the summer months (even late spring and early fall).

And let’s hope you don’t need emergency vet services, but if you do, here is a list of most emergency veterinary clinics serving the Alexandria, Mount Vernon, and southern Fairfax County areas:

Emergency Veterinary Clinics in the area – Open 24/7

Alexandria/Mount Vernon/Crystal City

VCA Alexandria Animal Hospital

2660 Duke Street

Alexandria, VA 22314

Phone: 703-751-2022

Fairfax/Annandale/Merrifield

VCA SouthPaws Veterinary Specialists & Emergency Center

8500 Arlington Boulevard

Fairfax, VA 22031

Phone: 703-752-9100

Vienna/McLean/Oakton

The Hope Center for Advanced Veterinary Medicine
140 Park Street SE
Vienna, VA 22180
Phone: 703-281-5121

Springfield/Mount Vernon/Alexandria

The Regional Veterinary Referral Center
6651 Backlick Road
Springfield, VA 22150
Phone: 703-451-8900

Woodbridge/Lakeridge/Lorton

Woodbridge Animal Hospital

2703 Caton Hill Rd.
Woodbridge, VA  22192
Phone: 703-897-5665