Press ReleaseFor Immediate Release 

Warm Weather Tips for You Pets 

The Humane Society of East Texas warns that the extreme heat during the summer months poses a deadly threat to animals.

With the arrival of warmer weather, your pets will undoubtedly want to spend more time outdoors.  The following are some tips to help insure that you and your four legged companions have a healthy, happy and safe summer.

If you leave your dog outside (in a fenced yard, of course), make certain that they are provided with plenty of fresh water and adequate shade to protect them from the sun.  Thoughtless cruelty is often inflicted on many dogs which are left by their owners in parked cars.  Ten minutes in a parked car could be too long on a hot day.  By then, the temperature inside the car could reach 160 degrees.  That’s hot enough to cause a dog to suffer a heat stroke.  Pets don’t perspire as people do.  They cool themselves by panting.  With only very hot air to breathe, your pets could suffer permanent brain damage within moments.  If emergency care is not given, your pet could die.  Heatstroke, characterized by excessive panting and salivation, lethargy, vomiting, an anxious or staring expression, a fast pulse rate and high body temperature, can cause brain damage and even death.  If you should notice these symptoms in your pet, act quickly by immersing the animal in cool water or pouring cool water over the animal.  You can also put ice packs on the animal’s head.  As soon as the animal cools off, take it to your veterinarian for medical attention.  The best treatment for heatstroke is, of course, prevention.   They may want to come along, but it’s much kinder to leave your pets at home with plenty of fresh, cool water and shade. 

Strenuous activity and excitement should be avoided on warm days.     Plenty of fresh, cool water should always be available for your dog or cat.  Refill the water dish frequently and keep the dish in a shaded spot.  If your dog is tied outdoors, be sure he can reach the shade and his water dish.  One of the most frequent complaints received concerns the dog owner who ties his dog outdoors on such a short lead that the poor dog can get no exercise, and in many cases, cannot even sit or lie down.  Be sure to check your pet’s water dish at least three times a day.  Summer months are here, school is out and children will play with their pets, sometimes knocking over the water dish. 

Check your pets regularly for fleas and ticks, which are more common in hot weather.  If your pet wears a flea collar, inspect it weekly to make certain that he isn’t allergic to the collar and that it’s comfortable.  For flea and tick control to be effective, your pet’s entire environment must be treated, including the yard.  Never use flea control products for dogs on cats, as they may ingest the powerful chemicals while grooming.

Horses, in particular, should receive special attention,  They should never be forced to carry a heavy load; generous amounts of cool, fresh water must be supplied and frequent rest periods made a part of the daily routine.  They should always have shade available.

 A simple rule:  Take care of your pets just like you take care of your children or yourself. 

Key Pet and Human Rabies Prevention StrategiesPeople

 1.       If a person is bitten by an animal, try to apprehend the animal or see where it goes so it can be caught and either quarantined or submitted for rabies testing. 

a.       The quarantine allows a dog, cat, or ferret to be observed for 10 days after the bite occurred.  If the animal does not develop signs of rabies during that time, it can be concluded that the animal did not have rabies in its mouth at the time of the bite.  Therefore, the bite victim does not need the series of shots to prevent rabies

b.       Some species of animals are confined and observed longer than 10 days.

c.       In some species (skunks, bats, foxes, coyotes, raccoons) the quarantine cannot effectively demonstrate the animal is not rabid.  In those cases, the animal must be submitted for rabies testing

2.       Report the bite to the Local Rabies Control Authority (usually local animal control or the sheriff’s office).  The officers may be able to help you apprehend the animal or to assure that it is quarantined or submitted for testing.

3.       If someone must shoot the animal to stop the attack or prevent its escape, never shoot it in the head. 

a.       The brain is the part of the body used in the rabies test.  Shooting or hitting the animal in the head might damage the brain so much that it cannot be tested for rabies

b.       Refrigerate (but do not freeze) the carcass as soon as possible so it will not decompose to the point that it cannot be tested.

4.       In the US, nearly all human rabies is transmitted by the bite of a bat.  A bat’s teeth are so small and sharp that a person can be bitten without realizing it.  Therefore, if a person is hit or comes into contact with a bat, the person should consult with a physician or public health veterinarian.  No bat bite or other contact with a bat is too minor to be reported and evaluated.  If a bat has contact with a person, the bat should be captured so it can be tested for rabies.  Obviously, the person capturing the bat should use care not to be exposed to the bat.  

Pets

1.       Assure that all pets and livestock in close contact with people are always currently vaccinated against rabies. By the way, in recent years there have been more rabid cats than rabid dog in Texas.  Cats can bite and transmit rabies to their owners, just as dogs can.  Therefore, it is important to vaccinate cats, too. 2.       If a pet does come into contact with a rabid (or potentially rabid) animal, the outcome could be very serious.  For example, if a skunk comes into the yard and attacks or is killed by a dog, in all probability, the skunk has rabies.

a.       The pet is at risk of becoming rabid

b.       Talk with your veterinarian.  The animal may only need a rabies booster vaccination.  However, it may need more extensive follow-up.

 For more information, contact the Texas Department of State Health Services Zoonosis Control program.  In East Texas, the number in Tyler is 903 533-5260.