There’s nothing like enjoying the dog days of summer with our favorite pets, but while we’re having fun in the sun, it’s important to be aware of how the sun, sand, and heat is affecting our pets.
At Berkeley Veterinary Center, we want your summer activities to be fun and safe for you and your pets, so we’ve compiled some tips for protecting your pets from heat-related pet injuries.
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Although our furry friends cannot verbalize their discomfort with words, they do offer plenty of physical signals when something is amiss. Dog and cat allergies are just as common for our four-legged friends as human allergies are for us. Although they can be caused by a wide-range of allergens (including food, plants, pollen, dust mites, and even flea saliva), allergies in pets tend to present with similar symptoms. If you notice any of the following, it’s time to schedule an appointment at Berkeley Veterinary Center to see if allergies are the cause.
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High humidity and soaring temperatures can make for a dangerous combination for our pet companions. Sometimes, we make the mistake of assuming dogs can handle warm weather better than us. However, that is not the case. Dogs are prone to sunburn, heatstroke, and heat stress from being out in intense sun and heat for too long.
In order to avoid a sun related emergency, the team at Berkeley Veterinary Center is here to give you some recommendations to keep your dog cool. We will explain what to watch for, if your dog is overheated, so you can act quickly.
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There are few things worse than a flea infestation. Beyond causing pets endless itching, scratching, and pain; fleas are infamous for upending entire households by exponentially reproducing themselves. For this reason alone, year-round parasite prevention
is highly recommended to help pet owners avoid the miseries associated with flea infestation.
Not to be outdone, ticks are also formidable pests to pets and their owners. Responsible for the spread of Lyme disease, ticks are nothing to shrug off. And due to their highly evolved anatomy, shrugging them off is nearly impossible!
Whether your pet is plagued by fleas and/or ticks, there are specific ways you can put a stop to their mayhem. Provided you catch these pesky parasites in time, you can minimize the misery they cause, while also preventing any future mishaps.
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Mosquitoes really suck! Not only do they sneak into our houses and swarm us as soon as we go outside (even if just for a moment), they can also spread disease when they bite. Heartworm disease is among those diseases and has been documented in all 50 states in both dogs and cats.
The good news is that we can safely protect the pets we love, and with the ProHeart 6 or ProHeart 12 injection, we can do it more effectively – and less frequently to boot!
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Although we love summer here in New Jersey, protecting ourselves from the sun and heat is a must. Whether we seek out the shade, take a dip in the pool, or enjoy a frozen treat, we know how to keep ourselves cool. But what about our pets?
Dogs and cats are at higher risk for experiencing heat-related injuries, and it’s up to us to protect them from any temperature extremes. The team at Berkeley Veterinary Center wants to make sure you know the ins and outs of summer pet safety so you and your pet can enjoy the rest of the season in good health.
Not only do dogs and cats start off with higher body temperatures than humans, they’re also unable to cool themselves as efficiently. This fact, combined with their full-body fur coats, make them more susceptible to heat exhaustion and heat stroke. (more…)
For many of us, swimming is one of the best ways to stay in shape, cool off, and socialize with friends. For those of us with canine companions, a day on the water offers much of the same benefits – but with a catch!
Swimming is as natural to dogs as it is to humans, which is to say that not every pup is inclined to the water. Learn more about water safety for dogs by reviewing these tips from the friendly team at Berkeley Veterinary Center. (more…)
After a particularly nasty winter, it’s hard not to be thrilled with the arrival of spring. The warm weather brings with it more than picnics and green grass, however. Pet parasites, such as fleas, ticks, and heartworm-carrying mosquitoes, arrive along with spring, and the diseases they carry can cause serious discomfort and illness to your pet.
At Berkeley Veterinary Center, your pet’s health, wellness, and longevity is our top priority, which is why we recommend year-round pet parasite prevention throughout the duration of your pet’s life.
Hanging out around water is a way of life here, a fact that pleases most local pets. To be sure, there are endless opportunities for aquatic recreation, but it’s only truly successful when pet water safety rules are strictly enforced. Not only will your pet’s survival be nearly guaranteed, but overall enjoyment is a sure thing, as well.
With approximately 5,000 accidental pet drownings each year, pet owners and advocates have a long way to go to protecting animals from this terrible fate. Supervision is the best defense against drowning or near-drowning events. To be sure, keeping a closely trained eye on your pet when he or she is near the water can greatly reduce the risk.
