The Newsletter of Dwight – Pine Bluff – Lakewood Animal Hospitals
July 2005
 

SUMMER HEALTH FOR YOUR PET
 
 
 
 
 
 

Natures Babies

Summer is, of course, the time for babies, especially baby wildlife.  What should you do if you (or your pet) find a lost or injured baby animal or bird?
FIRST, remember that most “orphaned” babies are not really orphans at all!  Step away from the baby, be quiet, and you will probably find that mom and dad are actually close by.  Bird parents will often hover in nearby trees, screaming.  If you know where the nest is, you can replace the baby in the nest.  If you can’t find the nest, set the baby in a protected area, such as under a bush, and keep pets and children inside.  The parents will continue to care for the baby bird on the ground.
It is a MYTH that wild animals will abandon their young if they smell the touch of a human on it!
BABY BUNNIES are independent at a very early age.  Many bunnies are mistaken for “abandoned” just because they are so small.  Did you know that bunnies nurse only once a day, for just a few minutes?  So it’s very likely to find an “abandoned” nest with no mother bunny around.  Sadly, baby rabbits do not do well with hand-rearing.  Less than 10% of all bunnies brought to wildlife refuges survive.  Please, leave all baby rabbits where you find them.
If your pet catches a wild animal, there is no reason to panic.  While your pet may vomit if it eats the animal, there are few diseases that a dog or cat can catch from eating wildlife (after all, that is what nature designed dogs and cats for!).  There are no known incidents of a pet catching West Nile virus from a wild bird or animal.
Do, however, make certain that your pets are up-to-date on their RABIES VACCINATIONS.


 
 


Defy the Flies

The extreme heat and drought conditions will mean a bumper crop of flies, those annoying pests that bite your dog’s ears and drive your horses crazy.  If your pet spends a lot of time outdoors, fly bites may lead to painful, oozing sores on the tips of the ears.  These sores can become quite severe and even leave permanent scars.  Our clinics recommend either a pyrethrin/permethrin fly repellent (Pro-Tic-Call is a spot-on that lasts 1-2 weeks) or an herbal fly repellent (Flick’s, available at our Dwight clinic).  Coat your dog’s ears liberally with repellent, then spray his entire body.
CAUTION: Never use any insect repellent, especially a pyrethrin/permethrin product, on cats without veterinary approval!
Our groomers are working overtime doing summer shaves.  Long-haired pets will appreciate a haircut for the summer.  Short hair not only keeps a pet cool (no, long hair does not “insulate” a pet from heat!), but a short-haired pet is easier to keep clean.
If your dog swims a lot, brush him regularly to ensure he does not develop mats, which can be painful and lead to skin infections.
Finally, check the private parts of older, incontinent, or ill pets (such as pets with diarrhea or frequent urinations) daily.  Flies love to lay their eggs on feces and urine-soiled hair.  These eggs hatch into maggots, which can quickly cause devastating skin infection.  Many older pets each year die from maggot infections.  Using Flicks herbal spray around the rear end (no harsh chemicals, please) will also help protect against maggot strike.
 
 

Beat the Heat!

Until this heat wave breaks, the outdoors is no place for a pet.  Heat stroke can kill in minutes, and even pets who survive may have permanent complications.  However, heat stroke is 100% preventable.  Don’t let your pet become a victim.
 Because pets can’t sweat and they always wear fur coats, they can overheat rapidly.  Active breeds, such as Labs, may play hard and not stop for rest and water, even if they are becoming dangerously overheated.  Pug-nosed and long-haired breeds are also at very high risk for heat stroke.
 Signs of heat stroke include: excessive panting; seeming dazed or disoriented; vomiting; and staggering or collapse.  If you notice any of these signs in your pet, immediately take him into an air-conditioned or shaded area and soak him in cool water.  Then, rush him to the nearest veterinarian.  IV fluids and anti-shock medications are often needed.  Minutes can be the difference between life and death.
 
 

NO CARS!

It seems so obvious, but every year we hear another tragic story.  DO NOT leave your pet in a parked car during the hot weather!  Even with the window down. Cars quickly become ovens in hot temperatures, and pets can die of heat stroke within minutes.  While your pet may love running errands with you, please leave him at home when it is hot outdoors.
 
 

How Often Can I Bathe My Pet?

In the summer, pets are outside more, playing in the creek or in the dirt, getting sprayed by a skunk – generally, just getting filthy.  You want to give your dog a bath, but you’ve read that too much bathing may dry your pet’s skin.  How often can (or should?) you bathe your pet?
 The answer is, more often than you probably think.  Most pets can be bathed as often as once or twice weekly!  Even cats can be bathed regularly (if you’re brave enough!) Use a mild shampoo approved for pets (do not use a “medicated” shampoo unless prescribed by your veterinarian).  Rinse the shampoo thoroughly, as soap residue is the most common cause of dry skin.
 In reality, a clean pet is much healthier than a dirty one.  So don’t skimp on the soap!
 
 



 
 

Back to NEWSLETTER INDEX
 
 

HOME