If you are like me, it is hard even to imagine how alleged animal abusers like Michael Vick can inflict the kind of horrific suffering of which he is accused on any animal. Cats, dogs, and other companion animals are such important parts of our families that the idea of such suffering is truly incomprehensible.
Caring for our animal companions means more than just protecting them from sadistic abuse. While long summer days mean fun for the whole family, including those with four legs, summer heat, humidity, and activities can challenge animals in ways that people might not consider.
Here are a few tips on how to make sure your dog or cat is safe and having fun this summer.
During the "dog days" of summer, heatstroke can come on quickly and result in brain damage or death.
* Watch to make sure that a dog's pads don't burn on the hot pavement! Surface temperatures of sidewalks and surfaces like black asphalt far exceed the ambient temperature. For dogs, walking on such surfaces on a hot day can be like dancing on hot coal!
* Never leave a dog in a parked car. Even if you are running a quick errand, someone or something can distract or delay you. On a mild 73ºF day, the temperature inside a car can reach 120ºF in 30 minutes. On a 90ºF day, the interior of a vehicle can reach 160ºF in several minutes.
* If you see a dog who is panting excessively, drooling, or teetering inside a car, take down the car's color, model, make, and license plate number; have the owner paged inside the store or call local humane authorities or police. If the situation is an emergency, do whatever you can to get the dog out of the car—his or her life may depend on it.
* Trim heavy-coated dogs' fur, but leave an inch for protection against insects and sunburn.
* Watch for symptoms such as restlessness, excessive thirst, heavy panting, lethargy, lack of appetite, dark tongue, rapid heartbeat, fever, vomiting, or lack of coordination. If your dog shows any of these symptoms, get him or her into the shade immediately and call your veterinarian. Lower the animal's body temperature gradually by providing water to drink; applying a cold towel or ice pack to the head, neck, and chest; or immersing the dog in lukewarm (not cold) water.
