ASPCA Hot Weather Tips

We all love spending the long, sunny days of summer outdoors with our furry companions, but being overeager in hot weather can spell danger, ASPCA experts warn. "Most people love to spend the warmer days enjoying the outdoors with friends and family, but it is important to remember that some activities can be dangerous for our pets," said Dr. Camille DeClementi, Senior Toxicologist at the ASPCA's Animal Poison Control Center. "By following a few simple rules, it is easy to keep your pet safe while still having fun in the sun." Take these simple precautions, provided by ASPCA experts, to help prevent your pet from overheating. And if you suspect your pet is suffering from heat stroke, get help from your veterinarian immediately.

 Visit the Vet
A visit to the veterinarian for a spring or early summer check-up is a must. Make sure your pets get tested for heartworm if they aren't on year-round preventive medication. Do parasites bug your animal companions? Ask your doctor to recommend a safe flea and tick control program. Made in the Shade Pets can get dehydrated quickly, so give them plenty of fresh, clean water when it's hot outdoors. Make sure your pets have a shady place to get out of the sun, be careful to not over-exercise them, and keep them indoors when it's extremely hot.

 Know the Warning Signs
Symptoms of overheating in pets include excessive panting or difficulty breathing, increased heart and respiratory rate, drooling, mild weakness, stupor or even collapse. They can also include seizures, bloody diarrhea and vomit along with an elevated body temperature of over 104 degrees. Animals with flat faces, like Pugs and Persian cats, are more susceptible to heat stroke since they cannot pant as effectively. These pets, along with the elderly, the overweight, and those with heart or lung diseases, should be kept cool in air-conditioned rooms as much as possible.

No Parking!
Never leave your animals alone in a parked vehicle. "On a hot day, a parked car can become a furnace in no time-even with the windows open-which could lead to fatal heat stroke," says Dr. Louise Murray, Vice President of ASPCA Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital. Also, leaving pets unattended in cars in extreme weather is illegal in several states.

Make a Safe Splash
Do not leave pets unsupervised around a pool-not all dogs are good swimmers. Introduce your pets to water gradually and make sure they wear flotation devices when on boats. Rinse your dog off after swimming to remove chlorine or salt from his fur, and try to keep your dog from drinking pool water, which contains chlorine and other chemicals that could cause stomach upset.

Screen Test
"During warmer months, the ASPCA sees an increase in injured animals as a result of High-Rise Syndrome, which occurs when pets-mostly cats-fall out of windows or doors and are seriously or fatally injured," says Dr. Murray. "Pet owners need to know that this is completely preventable if they take simple precautions." Keep all unscreened windows or doors in your home closed and make sure adjustable screens are tightly secured.

Summer Style
Feel free to trim longer hair on your dog, but never shave your dog: The layers of dogs' coats protect them from overheating and sunburn. Brushing cats more often than usual can prevent problems caused by excessive heat. And be sure that any sunscreen or insect repellent product you use on your pets is labeled specifically for use on animals. Street Smarts When the temperature is very high, don't let your dog linger on hot asphalt. Being so close the ground, your pooch's body can heat up quickly, and sensitive paw pads can burn. Keep walks during these times to a minimum.

Avoid Chemicals
Commonly used flea and tick products, rodenticides (mouse and rat baits), and lawn and garden insecticides can be harmful to cats and dogs if ingested, so keep them out of reach. When walking your dog, steer clear of areas that you suspect have been sprayed with insecticides or other chemicals. Keep citronella candles, oil products and insect coils out of pets' reach as well. Call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 if you suspect your animal has ingested a poisonous substance.

Party Animals
Taking Fido to a backyard barbeque or party? Remember that the food and drink offered to guests may be poisonous to pets. Keep alcoholic beverages away from pets, as they can cause intoxication, depression and comas. Similarly, remember that the snacks enjoyed by your human friends should not be a treat for your pet; any change of diet, even for one meal, may give your dog or cat severe digestive ailments. Avoid raisins, grapes, onions, chocolate and products with the sweetener xylitol. Fireworks Aren't Very Pet-riotic Please leave pets at home when you head out to Fourth of July celebrations, and never use fireworks around pets. Exposure to lit fireworks can potentially result in severe burns or trauma to curious pets, and even unused fireworks can be hazardous. Many types of fireworks contain potentially toxic substances such as potassium nitrate, copper, chlorates, arsenic and other heavy metals.

Source: http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/pet-care-tips/hot-weather-tips.aspx

National Pet Preparedness Month

This month is National Pet Preparedness Month. In order to be sure your pet is prepared for a disaster, make sure your safety kit includes food, water, leash and collar, bowls, pet ID, medications, immunization records, pet carrier, first aid kit, and a contact list for all pet emergency contacts.

Memorial Day

Happy Memorial Day this Monday! Remember the men and women who dedicated their lives to our nation’s freedom.

It's National Pet Week

National Pet Week is May 5-11 this year. I bring it up early because the Auxiliary to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) is already seeking entries for next year’s poster and writing contests.

The deadline is May 10, 2013 and the contests are open to students in kindergarten through 12th grade. The winners receive $100, so tell any young, animal-crazy friends or family members that you may have about this opportunity. The theme for 2014 is “Celebrate a Healthy Pet.”

Take a look at the winning entries for 2013 for inspiration. This year’s theme is “Love Your Pet, See Your Vet.”

Trey Favaloro of Baton Rouge, La., was in third grade when he submitted his drawing that won the poster contest.

Jasmine Jimenez of New York City was in ninth grade when she submitted the winning poem:

A True Pet’s Friend


Whether you have a dog, cat, bird, or rodent
Don’t you dare waste another second.
If you love your pet
Take him or her to the vet.
They don’t have to be sick or need any repair
Just take them for a trip to show them you care.


If you want your pet to love you making sure they’re healthy is a must
When they sense that you’re helping them they start to develop a sense of trust.
Knowing they have a friend makes their heart’s beat ever so gentle
So make sure to get them checked for illness, diet and dental.
Sure buying toys can really make a pet content
But that happiness only last for a moment.


The best gift you can give them is a healthy life that lasts long
When visiting his doctor, nothing can go wrong.
Go ahead and make an appointment
With your pet’s health you can’t lose a moment.
Because when it comes time they need some love to be around
They know where a sincere, dear friend can be found.

See the AVMA Auxiliary’s website for more information about the poster contestand creative writing contest. Good luck!

Source: http://www.petmd.com/blogs/fullyvetted/2013/april/celebrate-national-pet-week-with-avma-contest#.UYfPAbWYYg9

Wobbles-Veterinary Emergency Group Mascot

On Sunday night October 29th 2012, a good samaritan brought in a wet, cold, lost dog to VEG since we were the only animal hospital open during the storm. She was evaluated to be dehydrated and was showing neurological signs making us concerned about the possibility of head trauma. She was admitted to the hospital and treated appropriately figuring as soon as Hurricane Sandy had past, we would hear from the concerned parents of this lost dog.

Over the next few days, we slowly weaned her off treatment however she continued to have neurological signs. We had not heard from anyone about a lost dog but we figured since there was no power or gasoline in the area, it could be a few days for the owners to finally contact us.

As of today, Wobbles, as we affectionately call her, is still here and is now our very loveable hospital mascot! She is a happy and loving dog but still has neurological signs. Everyone who meets her falls in love with her. She comforts owners who have to leave their pets here for hospitalization. She has a way of bringing smiles to the saddest faces.

The staff has provided her with beds, toys, bowls, food, and treats! One of the associate veterinarians has spayed her. Clients love her and inquire about her all the time. We even had a neurologist evaluate her free of charge! However, his recommendation is an MRI and a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) tap so that we can specifically determine the underlying cause of her neurologic problem and potentially improve her condition. We are planning on scheduling her MRI for this week and we are keeping our fingers crossed!

Wobbles should be getting her MRI this week! Thanks everyone!!!!

 Wobbles Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wobbles/359104157540753
Wobbles Donation Page (We've raised $2000 so far!): http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/wobbles-needs-an-mri?c=home

It's National Pet First Aid Awareness Month

February is Responsible Pet Owners Month

Did you know that February is Responsible Pet Owners Month? This is a great time to take a step above and beyond your usual excellent pet care. We recommend a healthier diet, or a new exercise regimen—anything that makes your pet a happier and healthier member of your family. What are you going to do to celebrate Responsible Pet Owners Month?