Keeping pets healthy active openings in hot weather

You can get back to nature is not always the best thing for pets. In fact, the medical claims data show that as the pet will cost more time outside in hot weather, they are more susceptible to infection, and suffer from sunstroke or influenced by a number of other diseases.

Of course, this does not mean that the pet must be kept on a leash short just because it's nice out. Pet owners need only to take some precautions.

"You dealt with pets more often in the warm months because of exposure to an increase in the open air. During warm pets shown more insects, high temperatures and water bodies, such of swimming pools, lakes and oceans, "says Dr.. Carol McConnell, Director of Education Veterinary Services and Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI). "High temperatures can lead to sunburn and heat stroke. Exposure to the swimming pool can lead to ear infections or, worst case scenario for pet accidentally falling into a pool, and drowning."

Dr. McConnell says his company is seeing a big increase in claims during the warmer veterinary months. In February of 2005, for example, the company paid 12 claims related to pets stepped in something like glass and injured his foot. This figure jumped 76 claim in June and 87 July. Some of the damage will most likely need surgery, which average about $ 574 to $ 337 canines and cats.

Dr. McConnell is proposed to compensate the costs by keeping a watchful eye on your pet and buy insurance for pets.

"Protecting your dog or cat to the policy of health insurance for pets is not only a wise decision months ago to heat the air, but throughout the year," he explains. The insurance company has plans cover dogs, cats, birds and exotic pets for thousands of medical problems and procedures associated with the disease is expensive, and accidents or injuries. Optional coverage of care and regular vaccinations are also available.

The following facts from Dr.. McConnell explained some of the hot weather injuries most commonly used for pets:

• Foreign bodies are Foxtails, a type of grass with sharp points, common in warm, dry months. Sharp points tend to be an important part of pet paws, ears, eyes or nose. Foreign body penetration, and tail of a fox is bound to cause an infection.

• bites / stings of insects and spiders of all shapes and sizes of hiding in the warm weather months. Mosquitoes congregate near pools of water. Dr. McConnell recommends ridding your yard shallow pool of water up to (including the swimming pool for small children) so the mosquitoes do not breed. In addition, may be pet owners keep their pets away from wasps, bees and wood that could Harbor spider.

• Heat stroke, d. McConnell recommends keeping pets in their homes as possible during the warmest time of day (10 am and usually up to 4 pm). Do not leave pets unattended in the car.

• burns hot pavement can be painful for the pet openly, and can take into account the rise in claims for burns, said Dr.. McConnell. In addition to the burns on paws, the sunburns are more common in warm months, especially in the area of ​​the body not protected by fur or dark skin.

Infections, and ear • often caused by water falling into the trap of dogs ears after swimming or bathing. If it involves your favorite activities in the water, talk to your veterinarian about specific products on cleaning of the ear to help dry the ear canal after exposure to water for prevention of back -back ear infections.

• near drowning, though relatively rare, cases of near drowning, the increase in the hot months of summer weather. If this happens, make sure to keep pets warm and dry with a towel. Then take the pet to the veterinarian immediately.