PORTLAND, Ore., June 23, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Temperatures are already on the way up in the Portland area, and a hot summer season is expected. The Portland veterinarians at Cedar Mill Veterinary Hospital warn pet owners to be extra vigilant and mindful this season about some common summer pet emergencies. Being aware of the risks and dangers can keep pets safe all season long.
"Summer and sunshine are rare commodities in the Northwest, so it is natural to want to do as much outdoors as possible," says Dr. Rick White, DVM, of Cedar Mill. According to Dr. White, pets need extra care in the hot summer months, and he recommends all pet owners familiarize themselves with some summer safety basics.
Take your dog with you wherever you go? He probably loves it – but be wary of the heat on even moderate summer days. Even if the windows of the car are cracked a bit, the interior temperature can soar to over 100 degrees in minutes – triggering heatstroke, a life threatening condition for pets of any age or type. The best advice for avoiding heatstroke? "Never leave your dog in the car, even if you're only making a short trip to the store," says Dr. White.
Summer can be a perilous time for pets – pools are open and even dogs or cats that can swim can easily drown if they become entangled or trapped in a pool. A good, sturdy fence makes a great deterrent, and a pool alarm is a must for any home with pets.
Families spend more time outside in the summer, making it easier for an unattended pet to slip out of the home or out of the yard. Once free, a variety of hazards are lurking, from dangerous wild animal encounters to busy roads and highways. Protect pets by securing latches and gates and making sure they are where they should be at all times. Microchip your pet and make sure he wears a collar with clear identification and it will be easier to reunite him with his family.
The same food humans enjoy all summer long can be very hazardous to a dog or cat, according to Dr. White. From accidentally ingesting toxic items like chocolate to consuming leftover chicken or rib bones, food related problems naturally rise in the warm summer months. Protecting a pet is as simple as keeping human food out of reach and installing a trash can with a lid – and using it.
Dr. White and his team at Cedar Mill Veterinary Hospital offer Portland area residents a full range of veterinary services and are on hand to help with any summer pet emergencies that arise.