The May flowers are blooming and summer is nearly here, which means it’s time to be outside enjoying the sunshine and warm weather. But, increasing temperatures and outdoor time can lead to potentially dangerous situations for pets. It’s important to know how to contact us or our preferred hospitals if you find yourself in an emergency situation. We do provide emergency services during our normal business hours. If your pet ever has an emergency after-hours, please visit one of our after-hours emergency partners listed on our emergency page.
Here are some common summertime emergencies that you should be ready for:
First things first, keep your pet safe and secure!
There are so many great parks, beaches, and hikes in the area, but it’s important to protect your pet from their own instincts. When pets spend more time outside, they have more opportunities to escape. Running free and roaming the streets may feel like an adventure, but it puts them at great risk of being lost, getting into a fight, or getting hit by a car. The blunt trauma of getting hit by a car can cause a number of injuries, including:
- Abrasions and loss of skin
- Broken bones
- Organ damage
- Head trauma
- Internal injuries and blood loss
Take steps to prevent your pup from escaping. Ensure the gates of your yard are securely closed to keep your dog safely confined, and keep your pet inside during outdoor gatherings when guests will be coming and going. When taking part in outdoor activities, like camping or hiking, keep your dog on a leash.
Feeling warm? Your pet feels warmer.
With few sweat glands, dogs and cats are unable to adequately cool themselves when left in the heat, and their body temperature can quickly rise to dangerous levels. A pet suffering from heat stroke requires immediate veterinary attention, so it’s important that you can recognize the signs of an overheated pet:
- Excessive panting
- Sticky or dry tongue or gums
- Stumbling while trying to walk
- Seizures
- Body temperature over 103 degrees
- Unresponsiveness
To prevent heat stroke, never leave your pet inside your car, and don’t leave her outdoors unsupervised for more than 10 minutes on a hot day. While outside, ensure she has a shady area to escape the direct sunlight, and always provide fresh, cool water.
If you find yourself in an emergency situation, please do not hesitate to contact us. We’re here to help!