Tips to Keep Your Pet Cool During the Hot, Humid Summer

Summer is here. And while you prepare for your next adventure, remember to make sure your pets are cool, safe, and vaccinated against warm weather pests. 

Higher temperatures mean that even our pets become more easily tired and stressed. If activity levels are not abbreviated especially during midday hours, serious consequences often occur. This can occur especially if your pet’s activity is not monitored, and appropriately curtailed if any signs of overheating appear. I am sure we all know of enthusiastic retriever dog that will chase that tennis ball, literally, until it drops. If this is due to heat exhaustion, as opposed to just being tired, the seriousness of the condition may not be recognized early to correct the rising body temperature before it causes serious internal damage.

Although everyone (we hope) knows not to keep dogs in a car in the summer when you need to run into the store “just for 5 minutes”, it seems every year we still, unfortunately, need to treat pets for life-threatening heat-related problems. All of these cases could have been prevented with just a little forethought. Not all cases that are presented for heat stress or heat stroke have favorable outcomes.

Besides the heat, summertime activity also brings are pets into more contact with a greater number of hazards, from pests like fleas and ticks to unwanted encounters with snakes or other wildlife, to exposure to a greater amount and frequency of pesticides on lawns. All these hazards can best be avoided, not by making your pet live indoors 24 hrs, but rather by taking the necessary precautions before your pet runs unmonitored outdoors.

Pets on vacation are also susceptible to an array of problems when traveling with their family members to unfamiliar surroundings. The beach, the mountains or lakes, and campsites can provide all kinds of new and interesting, and potentially dangerous, situations for unfamiliar pets to be harmed or otherwise injured.

Safety requires forethought with our pets. Enjoy the summer picnic, vacation, or stay- at –home- time with your pet. But keep them SAFE!!

CEDARCREST Animal Clinic can help you with all your summer veterinary needs, from flea and tick medication, to amazing boarding facilities (Just in case your pet can’t come along on vacation). Call us at 540-943-7577.

CEDARCREST Animal Clinic provides medical and surgical care for every stage of your pet's life including preventive wellness care exams and vaccines, spays/neuters, and a variety of specialized care for your dog, cat, avian, or exotic. We are home to the only veterinarian practitioner in Virginia to be double Boarded in Avian and Canine/Feline care and provide care for birds, small mammals, and reptiles of all sorts! Plus, we are home to Virginia's most exclusive dog boarding resort that includes heated floors, an expansive play area, and even webcams so you can watch your pet while you're away. We're located in Fishersville, Virginia, and serve Augusta County and surrounding areas including Waynesboro, Staunton, Harrisonburg, and Charlottesville. 

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