Herald - Lantern - Dispatch 2 July '86

Pet Patrol MARK W. LOGAN. V.M.D

(ED. NOTE: This is the first of two articles on the heat and your pets.) Here is today's forecast. . hazy hot and humid with highs in the 90s ... chance of a thunderstorm later this evening. If your pet could read, he would cringe at such a forecast as much as you do. Pets are susceptible to heat and humidity problems just as much as we are This week let us explore some health problems associated with summer heat Almost everyone knows about the problems of pets' being left in hot cars, so we won't dwell too long on this danger. When it is warm outside, say over 70 degrees, do not take your pet on any car trips which will include your pet being unattended for any length of time. LEAVE YOUR pet at home! No matter what the size of hair length, the heat build-up in the car will kill your friends in an extremely short time. Supermarket managers, due to health regulations, are not allowed to let pets in their stores, so please don't plan to take a small dog with you into the store and carry it in the shopping cart. The exception would be a Seeing Eye dog working or in training. SOME DOGS and cats easily overheat in summer because of their breed and facial configuration. Dogs and cats with "pushed-in" noses (Pugs, Pekes, Lhazas. Boxers. Persians) cannot breath very easily to start with, and added heat or excitement can cause attacks of hyperthermia or heat stroke. Any animal which is panting excessively, obviously overheated and showing signs of delirium or unconsciousness should immediately be examined by your vetrinarian so that emergency measures can be taken if necessary. If a veterinarian is not available, immersion in ice cold water is a priority while monitoring your animals' temperature using a rectal thermometer. YOUR PET'S brain can be damaged if its body temperature remains high < 106-107) for very long. Immersion in ice water will help cool your pet's body temperature, but as the temperature begins to drop

closer to 102. it is best to remove your pet from the cold bath or his temperature will rocket below normal. A veterinary exam is absolutely necessary as soon as available. Use an airconditioned car to provide transportation to the veterinary hospital. Many times your veterinarian will have to take steps to alleviate the shock due to the hyperthermia. "MINDY" is fed a can of cat food every day and never has had any problems with digestion. Suddenly she wakes her owner up one hot morning with vomiting and diarrhea without apparent cause. What happened? The first suspicion should be the moist food which was left out all night. Hot weather spoils food very quickly. Remove uneaten food which you suspect could spoil easily after a reasonable time has been allowed for your pet to eat. IT IS NOT just canned food for cats and dogs which is sensitive — vegetables for your guinea pig or rabbit, fruit for your ferret or parrot, or meat for your box turtle can spoil just as easily. If you have doubts about old food in the dish, throw it away. Rabbit owners should constantly check their pets for sore areas of the skin which would be susceptible . to flies and therefore, maggot infestations. Be sure to check the groin area regularly for urine scald or raw skin. Get your rabbit inside and remove all larvae if you spot a problem starting. Consult your veterinarian if a fly larvae problem has obviously gotten out of hand. Dogs and cats, though less likely to be infested, should still be checked regularly for sore areas of the skin with serum discharge which will certainly attract flies in the summer. Wounds on any animals must be inspected and cleaned daily until they heal Keeping your wounded pet inside will greatly reduce problems with flies.

' R. R. Ties • Plantings Lawncare /' Clean-ups • Weed Control \\ ALEX BELL JR. ) LANDSCAPING Re© Eft. •"***' % \ a 465-4904 jfJL

IF vJ[?00£X Si 1 ' USSgHPlS* few' f|P|$18995||$21495|^ List $224.95 List Be "The only ga» grill with a 5 year warranty on: » Thick, cast aluminum hood and burner bo*. Top-ported burners & stainless steel lava grate. NATURAL GAS MODELS ALSO AVAILABLE / . HANDLE IMS ■■■ ■ ■ If— TSUI ■ I

feu^U' ' VALVU — fOCT

10% OFF ON ALL GRILL PARTS I . ■ - - '■ . I—.— DnAk . CI Lava • Patio

• 6urn®rs/Venturts • VOIVM • Regulators • Grids • Grates • Warming Racks • Rotesseries • Adjustable Roast Rack • Fish/Chicken Basket • Potato/Rib Rack • Char Eric" Briquettes

• Universal Post • Handles • Covers • Knobs • Arkla • Broilmaster • W.C. Bradley • Charbroll • Charmglow - Charo

• falcon • Jacuzzi • Patio Kitchen • Roper • Sears/Kenmore • Structo • Sunbeam • Turco • Weber

Propaac Tanks Filled - Bring In Vonr Propane Tank For inspection

""Treei 1 PLASTIC PLUG With The Purchase Of A 20 Pound n Propane Refill (With This Coupon Only) I Woodbln® . . 661-2169 Villas 666-3303 |

53 off] A BOX OF LAVA ROCIf With The Purchase Of Any 5 Crill Part (With This Coupon only) CESEEai Woodbln® . . 661-2169 | B VIHai 666-3303 I B E»pifi BJ31i«6

"freIP 20 LBS. OF PROPANE GAS with The Purchase Of Any Gas Crill (With This coupon Only) iiiC'i-t-TMi. CSPV Woodbine . . 661-2169 VHIas 666-3303 E»p»w 8231106

[?]

[?]

I