Lakeland Veterinary Hospital

"Caring for pets and the people who love them"

With summer here (and hopefully warm weather to stay), there are some important tips to keep in mind to keep our pets happy and healthy!

• NEVER EVER leave a pet in the car!! The sun can heat the car to temperatures above 120 degrees in minutes, even when the windows are down.

• Keep pets leashed when outdoors in a new area. This will keep them from getting into things that may make them sick.

• ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS have fresh water available! Even indoors, pets need to drink lots of water, so make sure their bowl is always full of fresh, cool water.

• Keep pets well groomed. If they are furry & have mats or tangles, heat can’t escape from their bodies, & they will get too hot. They also may be more prone to hot spots (a severe, painful skin infection).

• Be careful on humid days. Again, pets can’t get rid of heat like we can, so they pant. Heavy air (humidity) makes panting & heat loss less effective, so be careful not to overdo the activity.

• Be sure your pet doesn’t get too excited outside. Exercise makes pets hot too, so make sure they aren’t getting too much & make sure there’s lots of water to drink.

• Bring your pet inside when possible. Even though they may be able to lie in the shade, it doesn’t mean they’re staying cool. Bringing them in will reduce stress & make them more comfortable.

• Be alert for heatstroke. THIS IS AN EMERGENCY!! You can lower their body temperature by placing cool towels on their body. NEVER spray them with water – it can cause more damage. SEEK VETERINARY ATTENTION IMMEDIATELY! Heatstroke can be fatal. Signs of heatstroke: panting, staring, anxious expression, refusal to obey usual commands, warm and dry skin, high fever, rapid heartbeat, vomiting, collapsing, fire red gums.

• Watch for sunburn! Dogs that have been shaved, are light colored, have short or thin hair, & dogs that lay on their backs in the sun may get sunburned. Try to limit the amount of time they are in the sun or put a small amount of sunscreen on their bellies, nose & ears.

• Make sure your pet is up to date on all of its vaccines & if you have a dog, that it is placed on heartworm preventative. Since many dogs go places with their families during the summer, that usually means meeting other dogs too. Make sure that your pet is protected from diseases that other pets might carry. It is also helpful to use Frontline® to prevent fleas, ticks & the diseases that come with them.