Corner Animal Hospital : Online Pet Pharmacy and Veterinary Service

With the summer upon us, we want to provide you with information on how to prevent certain problems.

All pets, especially dogs and rabbits, are susceptible to overheating. Several dog breeds, which include flat-faced dogs like bulldogs and pugs, heavily pigmented dogs, overweight, older, and thickly hair coated dogs are especially susceptible to the effects of heat.

Be especially careful when your pet is in your car. On a hot summer day, the inside of a car in direct sun can heat up very quickly! On an average 85 degrees Fahrenheit day, for example, the temperature inside your car, with the window slightly rolled down, can reach 102 degrees Fahrenheit in approximately 10 minutes. In less than 30 minutes, the temperature can rise to 125 degrees Fahrenheit. On warmer days it will go even higher.

A dog’s normal body temperature is 100.5 to 102.5 degrees. A dog can withstand a body temperature of 107 to 108 for only a very short period of time before suffering irreparable brain damage, or even death. The closed car interferes with the dog’s normal cooling process, that is, evaporation through panting, and sweating through the pads on their feet.

If your dog is overcome by heat exhaustion, you can give immediate first aid by placing the pet in cool water until the body temperature is lowered, along with immediate veterinary attention.

One of the ways to prevent your dog from overheating is to take your dog for its walk early and late in the day when it is cool. Keep fresh water available at all times. Keep your dog indoors during the hottest part of the day. If it needs to be outside, provide shade and plenty of water. Apply sunscreen to the nose of dogs with light pigmentation.

The majority of skin conditions occur in the summer in most of our pets. This is because pets are outside more and exposed to potential allergens that cause skin allergies along with parasites like fleas.

In almost all these routine cases your pet will itch uncontrollably and cause some type of secondary skin infection. The best treatment is prevention.

Keep your pet’s hair trimmed very short in the summer for both dogs and cats. They will be substantially more comfortable and will get less hot spots and hairballs. Contrary to popular belief, they will be cooler even in the thickly coated dogs and cats.

Bathe approximately once per week with a high quality shampoo made for pets. Use a rinse afterwards to prevent drying of the coats. Its is advantageous to rinse your dog’s feet off before coming indoors to remove grass pollens that are the source of allergies. Check for ticks daily if they are in your locale, and any time your pet goes walking with you in woods, etc.

Always keep your pet on topical flea and tick prevention medication. These products are highly effective, convenient, and safe. Many of them also treat parasites and prevent heartworm.

This is the time of year when people plan on bringing their pet with them on car trips and airline flights. This can make your vacation more fun, or it can make it less rewarding. This depends on how well your pet travels and a little preparation on your pet.

Some pets go on car rides with their owner on a routine basis and will have no problem on an extended ride. Some pets though are conditioned to the fact that a car ride usually means the groomer, with an occasional trip to their doctor. These pets tend not to do well on a long car ride. Try to get them used to the car in small segments for a few weeks prior to any long trip. Minimize food and water prior to prevent vomiting, and take them to a place they look forward to. This might help them overcome any anxiety.

Make sure your cat is accustom to the carrier it will be in. Purchase a seat belt harness for your dog and do not let it sit in an airbag equipped passenger seat. Take frequent breaks for water, exercise, and bathroom. Of course never leave your pet alone in a car in the summer due to the potential for overheating.

Airplane flights can be a different story for some pets. Most pets do not travel on airplanes routinely so it is hard to predict their behavior. Always check with the airline prior to your flight to determine their exact policy regarding pets on their flights. Federal regulations require your pet to be at least 8 weeks old before flying.

Get to the airport early and exercise your pet before personally loading it into the crate if your pet is traveling in the cargo hold. Make sure your crate is approved and in good shape because your pet might try to escape. Let your pet have access to this travel crate for at least several weeks prior to your flight. Feed your pet the night before the flight and just give water during the day of the flight until you are at your final destination. If your pet has a medical problem check with your veterinarian on a feeding schedule.

Any time you travel you should have a picture of your pet, ID and your contact number on its collar, proof of all vaccines, and a health certificate from your veterinarian. Ask your veterinarian if a tranquilizer might be indicated for anxiety and to prevent vomiting. It should be given before you even leave the house to go to the airport. When you get to the airport give an additional tranquilizer only if necessary and according to your veterinarian’s directions.

Good luck and enjoy your trip!

From the doctors at the Corner Animal Hospital

Every litter of puppies or kittens born contributes to the overwhelming statistics of animal overpopulation.  At the Corner Animal Hospital, we emphasize that prevention – spaying or neutering your pet – is the best way to help curb the problem of pet overpopulation.The benefits of spaying and neutering also include:

• More affectionate pets.
• Helping pets live a longer, happier life.
• Significantly decreasing the odds of your pet developing certain cancers, including breast and ovarian cancer in females and testicular and prostate cancer in males.
• Reducing roaming tendencies so your pet will be less likely to get lost, stolen, injured or killed.
• Helping animal shelters from being overburdened with a surplus of animals.

Taking these small steps can help ensure your pet will live a longer, healthier life!

The Corner Animal Hospital is located in Setauket, New York.

Call 631.941.3500 to make an appointment today to have your pet spayed or neutered.

Click here for directions to our Long Island vet location.

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