The heat is on! Vacations are starting and the fireworks are about to begin as we kick into full gear for summertime. We want everyone and their pets to have a safe and happy summer, so here are a few things to keep in mind – especially through this holiday heatwave.
- First priority is an alert that we have seen our first two cases of distemper this year. The puppies were reported to Vineland Animal Control and picked up in the Landis Park area. This is a fatal disease unless caught very early and treated with extensive veterinary care. It was too late for these two pups, having been found in the late stages of the virus. The Parvovirus typically strikes young dogs or those with weak immune systems, but it can strike healthy animals as well. The Parvovirus in cats, called panleukopenia, is also highly fatal in cats and kittens and can strike with amazing quickness. Fortunately, these viruses are preventable and the vaccines are included in the annual shots that your pet should receive. You can acquire the vaccines through your veterinarian or at our low-cost shot clinics at the South Jersey Regional Animal Shelter, which are held on the third Saturday of the month from May through October. If you have young puppies or kittens, it is best not to expose them to other animals (especially in areas such as parks and pet stores) until they are fully vaccinated.
- The next issue is the fireworks that are in store for us this Wednesday night. Animals can be terrified of these celebrations with their tremendous noise and ground-shaking vibrations. Every 5th of July, without fail, the shelter receives dogs that have broken out of kennels, slipped their collars or jumped their fences when frightened by the pyrotechnics of the night before. Please, if you have outside animals, find a way to take them into the house, the garage or the basement for those few hours when your neighbors or the town may be shooting off rockets.
- Finally, let’s talk about the precautions necessary for the heat. One thing that should be obvious, but apparently is not for some: Pets should NEVER be left in the car when the temperature is 70 degrees or above. With our current temperatures, a car can be a death chamber within minutes. If you witness an animal left in a vehicle in the heat, call your local police department immediately.
There are a few other high-temperature issues that should be taken into consideration.
- Outside animals will require their water to be replenished frequently. And the water bowl itself should be kept free of algae, which can develop quickly in the heat.
- Shade and ventilation must be provided for outdoor pets. A couple of years ago, we had a case where two Huskies died from heatstroke when they were left without shade or water in a kennel behind the owner’s house. They had adequate doghouses, but the houses were in direct sunlight. Some dogs are more susceptible to heat than others; elderly dogs and those with heavy coats should not be outside without access to cool, dry spaces and plenty of water. Providing baby pools with cool, shaded water can be a great help for outdoor dogs.
- Dogs with pushed-in snouts, such as bulldogs and pugs, should NEVER be left outside in the heat regardless of shade. Heat and humidity are perilous for them because of their compromised airways.
Keep your pets cool and safe and have a great holiday!
