We all know that the heat of the summer can be especially hard for our fur-coated friends. There are other perils that plague your pets this time of year as well.
BEAT THE HEAT
PEST CONTROL
Keep your dog free of external parasites like fleas and ticks as well as internal parasites, specifically heartworms.
“Heartworms can cause a serious disease that results in organ damage and even death in pets,” Tulsa SPCA shelter vet Megan Buford said. “It is caused by a parasitic worm spread through mosquito bites. It is vital that your pet gets monthly heartworm prevention all year long.”
Consult with your veterinarian, or make a Minor Needs appointment at the Tulsa SPCA low-cost veterinary clinic, and keep your pet on monthly preventatives.
“We’ve seen lots of ticks already this summer,” Dr. Buford said. “Every dog and cat in this part of Oklahoma should be on a reliable flea and tick preventative, year-round.”
SWIM SAFELY
Dogs (not usually cats!) love water and it’s important to keep them safe. If you’ve never been in the water with your dog, start slowly.
At the Lake
In the Pool
TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING
As important as it is to avoid dehydration, there are dangers to an overabundance of water in a dog’s system. Water intoxication can come on suddenly, and the outcome can be fatal.
In dogs, excessive water intake can occur when swimming, diving, or water-retrieving. Even play-biting the stream of water from a garden hose or sprinkler can overload a dog’s system and lead to water intoxication.
Symptoms of water intoxication include:
If you suspect that your dog has water intoxication, get to a vet or emergency vet clinic immediately.