Protecting our pets during months with super-hot temperatures can be challenging.
Heat can be very dangerous and to explain how to keep our cats & dogs safe is Oasis Animal Hospital.
What are dogs and cats at risk for during hot temperatures and what are some tips for keeping them safe, cool, and comfortable?
Dehydration is the biggest, and hyperthermia. Making sure dogs outside have access to shade, cool water, and don’t stay out too long is very important.
Dogs won’t tell you if they are overheating until it is a big issue and by the time you are seeing symptoms, sometimes it can be too late.
Hot concrete and asphalt also pose a burn risk to your pet. Taking them on walks early in the morning or later in the evening is much safer.
Even swimming, dogs can overheat, so be careful at the lake as well!
What are symptoms to look out for and what should you do in an emergency?
If your pet collapses, cannot stand, or won’t eat/drink, or starts vomiting, these are all indicators of heat stroke and you should seek immediate veterinary attention. Do not try and cool them down by soaking them in water!
Oasis is open 8 am to midnight, 7 days a week for pet emergency care. If you need us, you can call ahead, but if you don’t have time for that, we access walk-ins.
If you have a pet emergency, try to remain calm. Drive safely to an emergency clinic, and work with the team to get your pet seen. Our staff are trained to remain calm in stressful situations.
The Oasis Animal Hospital Emergency Center is open from 8am – midnight, 7 days a week.
For heatstroke and any other issues, it is important to remember that pets cannot talk or tell you when they are sick. Often what owners perceive as illness, is typically progressed to the point of inappetence, severe lethargy, or worse.
Where are you located and where can we learn more about Oasis Animal’s Hospital emergency services?
Oasis Animal Hospital is located just off Butler Road in Mauldin. You can learn about our emergency services on our website at oasisvets.com
We will be moving to a new location, currently under construction by Caldwell Constructors, at 900 W Butler Rd, right next to the Mauldin Library.
Outside of hot weather months, what should owners do to keep their pets healthy and happy year-round?
We recommend that all pets see their family veterinarian at least once a year, and have wellness bloodwork done.
It is also important to keep them on flea, tick and heartworm prevention, as these can all lead to serious illness.
We do actually see a fair amount of tick disease in dogs in the south these days.
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