{"id":1536,"date":"2015-12-23T12:23:38","date_gmt":"2015-12-23T12:23:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zookie.com.au\/?page_id=1536"},"modified":"2024-01-07T14:38:19","modified_gmt":"2024-01-07T14:38:19","slug":"how-to-keep-your-pet-healthy-and-safe-during-the-hotter-months","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.zookie.com.au\/pawesome\/pet-life\/how-to-keep-your-pet-healthy-and-safe-during-the-hotter-months\/","title":{"rendered":"How to keep your pet healthy and safe during the hotter months"},"content":{"rendered":"
I love summer; I mean who doesn\u2019t adore lazing by the pool, chilling out under the trees at the local park or kicking back indoors with the nice cold air-conditioning. However, beach season brings with it a range of pet health problems. Here are some crucial and helpful tips to keep pets happy and healthy during the hot season<\/strong>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Beat the bugs<\/strong><\/p>\n I squeal at thought of bugs crawling around on me, especially ticks and fleas. Prevention is key!<\/strong><\/p>\n Bravecto<\/strong><\/a> has a tasty oral chew that provides protection for three months against fleas and four months against paralysis ticks.<\/strong><\/p>\n Media veterinarian and Bravecto\u00ae brand ambassador Dr Katrina Warren said, “I have seen first-hand the reality of not protecting dogs against paralysis ticks and fleas. I’m proud to be associated with Bravecto, the only preventative oral treatment for these nasty critters that protects dogs for a full three months.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Look fabulous but stay safe in the water<\/strong><\/p>\n I\u2019m not one to get my hair wet, however it\u2019s important that safety precautions are taken when your pet is around water<\/strong>. Let\u2019s face it, most dogs love it! Here are some tips from Nadia Crighton and Pet Insurance Australia:<\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n When it\u2019s \u2018stinkin\u2019 hot<\/strong><\/p>\n I\u2019ll just come right out and say it ladies, sweat is not attractive, especially when you\u2019ve dressed up for an important occasion.<\/p>\n Jamie Sky from The Kitty Carer said, \u201cI often get asked how we know if our pets are hot? It\u2019s a simple question with a very simple answer. As a general rule of thumb, we gauge animals core temperature the same we would gauge our own. If we are hot then your pet is hot<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n So if it is that easy for us to cool down by removing our coat, how do we make our pets cool if their coat is firmly attached to their skin?<\/p>\n Jamie says there are several ways you can cool your furry friend\u00a0down before your pet heats up<\/strong>. She provides these tips:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u00a0Those slimy worms<\/strong><\/p>\n Ew \u2013 is the only word to describe those nasty worms!<\/p>\n Dr Liisa Ahlstrom, Bayer Technical Services Vet said, \u201cThere are many different types of worms that infest dogs and cats, including heartworms, lungworms and intestinal worms.<\/p>\n \u201cIntestinal worms such as roundworms, hookworms, whipworms and tapeworms live in the intestines of pets. Infections with intestinal worms can be mild and asymptomatic, or can cause diarrhoea, coughing, anaemia, a pot-belly, weight loss and a dull coat. Severe infections can even be fatal, especially in puppies and kittens<\/strong>. Some intestinal worms in pets can also pose a threat to humans. To protect the health of pets and people all pets should be regularly treated with a product effective against worms, such as Advocate or Drontal Allwormer.\u201d<\/p>\n Worms need to be prevented all year round<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Stay fit but be smart<\/strong><\/p>\n We all need to stay fit but beware of walking your dog in extreme hot weather.<\/strong> My rule of thumb is \u2018walkies\u2019 early in the morning or late at night! It\u2019s really that simple!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Treat your pets to some ice-cream<\/strong><\/p>\n Yes, you heard right! Who doesn\u2019t like ice-cream, right?<\/p>\n Deb McBride from Harmony4dogs<\/strong><\/a> says, \u201cOn really hot days offer your dog ice blocks – not all dogs like them, but the ones who do lick them and bite them and really appreciate the cold feel.\u201d<\/p>\n Some \u2018ice-cream\u2019 examples:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Heatstroke \u2013 it can be fatal!<\/strong><\/p>\n I found the below information to be VERY important as us Aussies do have to put up with some extreme heat!<\/p>\n Jamie Sky from The Kitty Carer said, \u201cThe quickest way to cool your pet\u2019s core temperature is to get them quickly into a cool shower or under the hose<\/strong>. Don\u2019t use ice or freezing water. Very cold water will cause the blood vessels to constrict and will prevent cooling altogether, so you must only use cool water<\/strong>. Having a fan will help greatly to cool your pet\u2019s temperature and also get them away from direct sunlight as soon as possible.<\/p>\n \u201cAnother way to cool your pet is to sponge them down with a cool wet cloth. Your pets core temperature should start to go down slowly and steadily and once stable, you will need to seek veterinary assistance.<\/p>\n \u201cIf your pet is panting (including cats), lethargic, vomiting, unresponsive, hot to the touch, staggering, red gums and stupor then your pet is suffering from heat stroke and will need veterinary assistance urgently. Heat stroke, if not addressed, can be fatal<\/strong>. Your pet will start to seizure; its organs will start failing with coma following, then finally followed by cardiac arrest then death.<\/p>\n \u201cIt sounds very serious because it is. Jamie Sky adds that, \u201cDeath can occur in only minutes. Heat stroke is fatal and heat stroke does not discriminate. Any animal can become its victim if not treated accordingly.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThe Australian sun can be unforgiving and your pet\u2019s welfare in this harsh Australian climate can be compromised. Make sure your pet has adequate shade and water available at all times and if your pet is showing signs of heat stroke, do not second-guess.<\/strong> Your pet\u2019s life depends on it.\u201d<\/p>\n About the author:<\/em><\/strong> Pixie is a pug fashionista, whose mission in life is to help other pooches avoid fashion disasters and inspire them to dress to impress. Labelled \u2018The pug with the white socks\u2019, Pixie is a devoted Instagrammer and budding blogger. Follow her at @pixie_price<\/a><\/strong>.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I love summer; I mean who doesn\u2019t adore lazing by the pool, chilling out under the trees at the local park or kicking back indoors with the nice cold air-conditioning. However, beach season brings with it a range of pet health problems. Here are some crucial and helpful tips to keep pets happy and healthy … <\/p>\n\n
\n
\n