Pet Safety for July 4th

The 4th of July is upon us, which means fireworks, picnics, summer heat and more fireworks. Make sure to take precautions for your pet during this holiday and keep them safe.

Fireworks

They are loud and stressful...for your pet. Loud sounds can cause your pet to feel anxious and frightened. They will even run away if they get too upset.

Follow these tips for firework safety:

• Keep them inside the house
• If you leave, put them in a crate or small room like a bathroom
• Prevent them from chewing on used fireworks by cleaning up the yard and street
• Have them microchipped and keep ID tags updated in case they run away
• Check into Thunder Shirt, a special shirt that can help keep them secure and calm

Cook Outs and Picnics

Remember to not feed your pet table scraps, especially meat bones and corn on the cob, as they could cause an obstruction and harm your pet. So your pet is included with the fun, have them eat their own food and treats while you eat your meal (although, they will probably spend the entire time begging, at least they are being offered their own food and not yours).

The Heat

Just remember that July is a hot month and to keep your pet comfortable and hydrated. Don't leave them in a hot car, even if it's in the shade. Keep the pads of the feet off hot cement and asphalt as much as possible or get special booties. 

Have a good time with your pet on this special holiday and be safe! 

What is so important about spaying and neutering?

 By having your pet spayed/neutered, you are not only helping to decrease the pet population, but giving your loved one a happy and healthy life.

Millions of healthy cats and dogs are euthanized each year in the U.S. due to overpopulation and homelessness. You can do your part to end this by having your pet sterilized at a young age. There are also health and behavior benefits for your pet that receives the spay or neuter.

Health Benefits

Longevity

Studies show that pets who are spayed/neutered, have a longer life than unaltered animals.

Cancer

Spayed females have a greater chance of avoiding cancer, including breast tumors. Also, females that are spayed before their first heat tend to be healthier than those that wait.

Neutering your male pets can help prevent testicular cancer and prostate problems.

Pyometra

Unaltered female dogs run the risk of contracting Pyometra, which can be avoided if they get spayed. Pyometra is an infection in the uterus that can occur if the female has had several heat cycles without getting pregnant.

Clinical signs of Pyometra are determined by an open or closed cervix. The most common symptom of an open cervix is excretion of pus or abnormal discharge. Other symptoms include fever, lethargy, anorexia and depression. A closed cervix is much more dangerous because the discharge collects in the uterus, causing a distended abdomen. Bacteria from the uterus drains into the bloodstream and the dog can rapidly become ill. Contact our office as soon as possible if any of these symptoms occur in your dog.

Behavior Benefits

Females will not go into heat if they are spayed. A pet in heat normally will urinate all over the house, so you are saving yourself a lot of trouble by having the surgery done.

Roaming is less likely in neutered pets. Intact males like to go out looking for females and will leave your house frequently to find them. They risk getting hit by a car or fighting with other male animals.

Neutered males act much better. Intact males mark their territory by spraying strong-smelling urine everywhere. They are more aggressive and will mount on almost everything, including your leg. Neutering helps decrease this.

Have we convinced you?

We encourage you to do your research before spaying or neutering your pet, however, do take into consideration that there are more pros than cons for having the procedure done. You can make a huge difference in ending pet overpopulation simply by making the first step and scheduling an appointment with us.

Keep Your Pets Cool This Summer

Utah has been experiencing record-breaking temperatures this summer, with a big heat wave that has blanketed across the Western U.S. With temperatures in the 100's and not much relief from heat, it is imperative to keep your pets cool this summer.

The most important thing you should know this summer is to NEVER leave your pet in a parked car. Parked cars are at least 10 degrees hotter than the temperature outside, even with the windows down. We've unfortunately heard of dogs dying in hot cars within minutes of their owner being gone. If you are running errands and will be out of your car for more than a couple minutes, please leave your dog in your air-conditioned home.

Although there are no laws in Utah that prosecute people for leaving their animals in cars, animal control takes this action very seriously. They witness hundreds of cases each year of dogs being left in hot cars. If you happen to see a dog or any other animal in a car, please contact your local animal control.

What can you do to keep your pet cool this summer?

• Keep plenty of water available. Pets can get dehydrated quickly.
• Know the symptoms of heat stress. In dogs, the symptoms include panting, difficulty breathing, drooling, increased heart rate, restlessness, collapsing.
• Don't shave your dog or cat. Although this may seem to keep them cool, they are at risk for sunburn and overheating. Their fur is a form of protection.
• Be careful when walking your dog. Asphalt is extremely hot and can burn the pads on your dog's feet. Limit the amount of time spent on asphalt.
• Make shade available for your pet. If your pet is outside, be sure they have plenty of shade to rest in.
• Take walks, hikes and runs during the cooler hours of the day.

What to do in the case of a heat stroke:

1. Get pet out of the heat.

2. Check for shock.

3. Take temperature.

4. Spray with cool water.

5. Place water-soaked towels all over body.

6. Contact nearest veterinarian.

We hope you and your pet enjoy the rest of the summer! By following these simple guidelines, your pet will stay cool and happy until winter comes, and that's when we will have to worry about the cold. 😊