Creators Syndicate

FIGHT BACK!  BY DAVID HOROWITZ 

Pets in Hot Weather 

        These hot summer days can be extremely dangerous to our  pets.
Even a small increase in an animal's internal  temperature can cause
brain damage or even death. And because  animals can't get relief from
the heat by sweating, they are  more susceptible to heat stroke than
humans. 
        Here are some hot-weather tips from the Humane Society  of the
United States and American Animal Hospital  Association: 
        -- Whenever possible, keep your pet indoors during the  heat of
the day. If you have an outdoor animal, be sure there  is ample shade
available. Hours of direct sunlight can be  fatal. 
        -- Animals naturally drink more water in hot weather, so  be
sure there is plenty of fresh water available. Place water  bowls in
the shade where the water won't heat up in the  sunlight. 
        -- Don't travel with your pet if you can help it. If you  must
take your dog with you in the car, never leave the  animal inside with
the windows rolled up. Closed cars heat up  very quickly inside, even
on mild days. Leave the windows  open as wide as possible without
providing an escape opening. 
        -- Exercise is important to your pet's health, but take  your
walks in the morning or evening, when it's cooler.  Overexertion on a
hot day can be deadly. Hot pavement can  also burn your dog's feet. 
        -- Keep dogs groomed for the season. Clip long or matted  coats
short to help your animal stay cool. 
        -- Watch for symptoms of heat stroke, such as disorien- tation,
vomiting and glazed eyes. If these symptoms appear,  get the animal to
a cool place. Immerse it in cool water if  possible, and give it small
amounts of cold water to drink.  Then, get the animal to a veterinarian
as quickly as  possible. 
        -- Summer is also a time when we do more gardening, and  that
means more plant foods, fertilizers and pesticides are  around the
house. Household chemicals of any kind can be very  dangerous to dogs
and cats, especially if the animals are  dehydrated and searching for
fluids to relieve their thirst. 
        -- Spilled radiator coolant is particularly poisonous to  pets.
Antifreeze is made from ethylene glycol, which is  highly toxic. But
for some reason, animals, especially cats,  are attracted to it. If you
spill coolant in your driveway or  garage, clean it up immediately and
thoroughly. A few licks  is enough to kill an adult cat. 
        -- The most common source of pet poisonings is garbage,  cans
and bags filled with spoiled food, discarded cleaning  products and
yard trimmings. Rotting or moldy food scraps  will have the same effect
on a dog or cat they would on a  human. And, because our garbage is all
mixed up, a bit of  food that smells attractive to a dog may be
contaminated with  something like drain cleaner or detergent --
something that  has been spilled, swept up and dumped in the trash. 
        If you actually see your pet eating something you know  is
toxic, like rat poison or snail bait, take the animal to a  vet
immediately. If the animal's stomach can be pumped before  the symptoms
set in, it will probably survive. Milder,  prolonged symptoms, such as
diarrhea, vomiting, blood in the  stool and loss of appetite, may also
be indications that your  dog or cat has eaten something it shouldn't
have. These symp- toms don't necessarily mean your pet has been
poisoned, but  if they persist for two or three days, get your pet to a
veterinarian for a checkup. 
        If you have questions or comments, please write to David 
Horowitz at 72662,1775. 

COPYRIGHT 1994 CREATORS SYNDICATE, INC.