We're Here to Help You Be the Best Owner You Can Be

Did You Know ... 'Tis the Season

Protect your pets from the summer heat! Animals, like people, can suffer from heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Symptoms include:

(a) lethargy, 

(b) seizures, 

(c) confusion, 

(d) incoordination, and 

(e) sometimes even coma.  

Here are some common sense tips to prevent this:

(1) Never leave your pet outdoors for prolonged periods of time in extreme heat (80 degrees or higher), and always make sure they 

have shade; even if they have a dog house or kennel, it needs to be shaded as well.

(2) Always provide plenty of fresh water.

(3) Avoid long walks or strenuous activity, especially with older pets or those with existing medical conditions such as heart disease 

or diabetes.

(4) Do not leave pets in a hot car for any period of time. Even with windows cracked, your car may heat up like an oven in a 

matter of minutes.

(5) If possible, when the temperature is above 90 degrees, leave your pet indoors in air conditioning. Animals do not perspire like 

humans and with their thick fur over heating is more likely.

If your pet displays any signs of heat exhaustion, place it in a cool water bath or wrap wet, cold towels around it and place a fan directed over the pet.  

The normal body temperature for dogs and cats is about 102.5 degrees.  You can take a rectal temperature with a digital (never mercury) thermometer to monitor your pet.  Prolonged temperatures above 104.5 degrees may lead to organ damage and possibly death.  If you suspect your pet is suffering from heat stroke, take it to your veterinarian ASAP, but in the meantime, initiate attempts to lower its body temperature.

Just use common sense.  If you're feeling really hot, so is your pet!

More to come soon, please check back periodically.  Love life and love your pets!

- Doc Herr

Tips For New Pet Owners

Congratulations on your new pet babies!  Just like human infants, canine and feline babies are very fragile beings.  If possible, we recommend a veterinary examination for the mother and babies within one or two days after birth.  Minor issues are discovered and treated before they become serious, or potentially life-threatening, especially with regards to the infants.  It's also very important to ensure "Mom" is healthy and treating her newborns appropriately.

    

We suggest starting a thorough examination, vaccination and preventive internal parasite program at six to eight weeks of age.  We offer "puppy and kitten comprehensive packages" to accomplish this [see our Services Page for more details].  Please call to schedule an appointment if you'd like.  Good luck and have fun raising your new pets!

Here are a few links we find to be helpful:

-  Basic Kitten Care

-  Basic Cat Care 

-  Basic Puppy Care 

-  Basic Dog Care