Bucktown Veterinarian Q & A

Dr. Robin Friedman, of My Vet Animal Hospital, answers spring questions.

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1. What are common signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and what action should be taken if heat exhaustion occurs?

Panting, hypersalivation, body temperature of 106 or higher, hyperemic gums (red in color). If symptoms are severe, this can lead to seizures, ataxia (unbalanced or wobbly), or muscle tremors. Heat exhaustion can be fatal.

Early recognition is key. Hyperthermia (high body temperature) needs to be corrected immediately! Prior to getting to your veterinarian’s office, water can be sprayed over the body, fans can be used to cool and a small amount of rubbing alcohol on a cotton pad can be applied to paw pads, axilla (armpit) and groin regions to help lower the body temperature. Ice packs should NOT be used.

We recommend never leaving your animal in an unattended vehicle or outdoors in extreme temperatures, and be mindful of excessive activity such as running with your pet.

2. Here we come dog parks and beach! What advice would you give to help keep our pups healthy while being exposed to all those pups with potential germs?

Proper puppy vaccines, routine fecal checks and preventative deworming should all be performed before being exposed to other dogs/dog parks. Flea/tick & Heartworm preventative are also recommended every 30 days to keep your pet protected against flea & tick infestation as well as heartworm disease (which is spread by infected mosquitoes) and certain intestinal parasites.

As a dog owner, it is your responsibility to clean up completely after the dog defecates – as parasites can be spread through fecal matter, whether the dog ingests it directly or walks through it and licks his/her paws.

Also be mindful of community water bowls and pools – stagnant water can be a breeding ground to a plethora of parasites dogs can ingest or be exposed to. If we all work together to keep our animals routinely vaccinated and healthy as well as keeping our parks and beaches clean, that keeps our pups happy and healthy as well as our environment!

3. Fleas and ticks both prefer the summer months as well! What can we do to prevent them and what should we do if we see them on or near our pups?

Flea and tick preventative is very important, especially when dogs are going to parks, beaches or daycares. There are monthly topical products that are effective and safe and this can be discussed with your veterinarian so you can decide which is the best preventative. If an animal ingests a flea they can develop tape worms, which develop in the intestinal track.

Flea dirt can be detected before the adult flea hatches and a little trick I like to tell my clients to try at home is: get a paper towel damp and hold at the base of the animals tail – run your fingers up and down the animal’s spine for a good 30-60 seconds. You may see some debris on that paper towel – possibly looking like dirt. Rub your fingers across that debris, if any of it turns red that is flea dirt. Fleas are about the size of a grain of salt and are rarely seen, unless there is a considerable infestation. If you see flea dirt or fleas, contact your veterinarian for proper steps in treating the animal and your environment. You will need a topical flea treatment as well as a thorough cleaning of the environment around the animal including vacuuming all flooring (and throwing away the bag), washing all linens, towels and dog beds and be sure to remember outdoor rugs or mats the animal may lie on.

We are often asked to make adjustments to thermostats while doing visits in the summer. What is a comfortable temperature to leave our homes at to ensure our pups and kitties are safe while we’re at work?

Can depend on the houses temperature control, but between 68 and 70 degrees is ideal.

For more information about My Vet Animal Hospital please visit them at http://www.myvetanimalhospital.com/ or call them at 773.235.VETS