The Connection Bernards-Ridge Edition Jun/July/August 2018

PAGE 80 THE BERNARDS-RIDGE CONNECTION JUNE/JULY/AUGUST 2018 20 Years Emergency Veterinary Medicine Behind Us. ANIMAL PAWS BONDED & INSURED Nominated by National Animal Pet Sitting Association for 2015 for one of the Best Pet Sitting Services in the Nation. PETS ENJOY BEING HOME! Pet Sitting, LLC 18 Years of Loving Professional Pet Sitting Experience email: michele@animalpaws.net animalpaws.net Cell 908-963-0311 Vacations, daily dog walking, overnight stays, client education on animal care. We do transportation, give insulin injections, SQ fluids, dog hikes. Please call for FREE consultation. Last minute bookings for existing clients. (no late fee) PARTY & TENT RENTALS & SALES 67 CLAREMONT ROAD BERNARDSVILLE 908-766-7114 www.KenRent.com Mon.-Fri. 8-5pm • Sat. 9-1pm • Closed Sunday We all love spending the long, sunny days of sum- mer outdoors with our furry companions, but being overeager in hot weather can spell trouble. Even the healthiest pets can suffer from dehydra- tion, heat stroke and sunburn if overexposed to the heat, and heat stroke can be fatal if not treated promptly. Take these simple precautions, to help prevent your pet from overheating. And if you suspect your pet is suffering from heat stroke, get help from your vet- erinarian immediately. Visit the Vet A visit to the veterinarian for a spring or early summer check-up is a must. Make sure your pets get tested for heartworm if they aren’t on year- round preventive medication. Do parasites bug your animal companions? Ask your doctor to recommend a safe flea and tick control program. Made in the Shade Pets can get dehydrated quickly, so give them plenty of fresh, clean water when it’s hot outdoors. Make sure your pets have a shady place to get out of the sun, be careful to not over-exercise them, and keep them indoors when it’s extremely hot. Know the Warning Signs Symptoms of overheat- ing in pets include excessive panting or difficulty breathing, increased heart and respiratory rate, drooling, mild weakness, stupor or even collapse. They can also include seizures, bloody diarrhea and vomit along with an elevated body temperature of over 104°. Animals with flat faces, like Pugs and Per- sian cats, are more susceptible to heat stroke since they cannot pant as effectively. These pets, along with the elderly, the overweight, and those with heart or lung diseases, should be kept cool in air- conditioned rooms as much as possible. No Parking! Never leave your animals alone in a parked vehicle. On a hot day, a parked car can become a furnace in no time – even with the win- dows open – which could lead to fatal heat stroke. Also, leaving pets unattended in cars in extreme weather is illegal in several states. Make a Safe Splash Do not leave pets unsuper- vised around a pool – not all dogs are good swim- mers. Introduce your pets to water gradually and make sure they wear flotation devices when on boats. Rinse your dog off after swimming to remove chlorine or salt from his fur, and try to keep your dog from drinking pool water, which contains chlorine and other chemicals that could cause stomach upset. Screen Test During warmer months, there is an increase in injured animals as a result of High-Rise Syndrome, which occurs when pets – mostly cats – fall out of windows or doors and are seriously or fatally injured. Pet owners need to know that this is completely preventable if they take simple precau- tions. Keep all unscreened windows or doors in your home closed and make sure adjustable screens are tightly secured. Summer Style Giving your dog a lightweight sum- mer haircut helps prevent overheating. Shave down to a one-inch length, never to the skin, so your dog still has some protection from the sun. Brushing cats more often than usual can prevent problems caused by excessive heat. As far as skin care, be sure that any sunscreen or insect repellent product you use on your pets is labeled specifically for use on animals. Street Smarts When the temperature is very high don’t let your dog linger on hot asphalt. Being so close the ground, your pooch’s body can heat up quickly, and sensitive paw pads can burn. Keep walks during these times to a minimum. Avoid Chemicals Commonly used flea and tick products, rodenticides (mouse and rat baits), and lawn and garden insecticides can be harmful to cats and dogs if ingested, so keep them out of reach. When walking your dog, steer clear of areas that you suspect have been sprayed with insecticides or other chemicals. Keep citronella candles, oil prod- ucts and insect coils out of pets’ reach as well. Call your veterinarian if you suspect your animal has ingested a poisonous substance. Party Animals Taking Fido to a backyard barbeque or party? Remember that the food and drink offered to guests may be poisonous to pets. Keep alcoholic beverages away from pets, as they can cause intoxi- cation, depression and comas. Similarly, remember that the snacks enjoyed by your human friends should not be a treat for your pet; any change of diet, even for one meal, may give your dog or cat severe digestive ailments. Avoid raisins, grapes, onions, chocolate and products with the sweetener xylitol. Fireworks Aren’t Very Pet-riotic Please leave pets at home when you head out to Fourth of July cele- brations, and never use fireworks around pets. Exposure to lit fireworks can potentially result in severe burns or trauma to curious pets, and even unused fireworks can be hazardous. Many types of fireworks contain potentially toxic substances such as potassium nitrate, copper, chlorates, arsenic and other heavy metals. REMEMBER CALL YOUR VETERINARIAN IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE! WE CARE FOR YOUR PETS’ WELL BEING! HAVE A WONDERFUL SUMMER WITH YOUR 4 FOOTED ONES. ENJOY! HOT WEATHER TIP By: Michele Patanio, Animal Paws Pet Sitting LLC 908-963-0311 animalpaws.net www.theconnectionsnj.com