11/07/2024
Summer Emergency Preparedness
Summer is here!! Time for being outside, enjoying the sun, and taking vacations!! Though we like to think of all the positives and fun of the summer, being prepared for emergencies can save the day and your pet! These are some of the common emergencies we see in the summer and how to avoid them:
HYPERTHERMIA (aka over heating/heat stroke)
If your pet is in a situation where their body temperature gets too high it can be deadly. If this does happen you should take a re**al temperature. If it is over 103 F they should be seen immediately by a veterinarian. In an hyperthermia situation you want to SLOWLY cool your pet by placing cool, wet towels over them, wetting their ears and feet, and placing them in front of a fan. Please don’t shock cool them. Transport your pet promptly to an emergency veterinarian.
To avoid this situation take preventative measures such as: not leaving your pet in the car; not walking them on hot and humid days; getting your dog a small pool or sprinkler; having a fan for your pet; and carefully monitoring your pet on hot days.
LACERATIONS
Cuts, scrapes and punctures are common during the summer. Cuts are a pathway for infection and many need surgical repair.
Avoiding these accidents can be difficult since they are usually just that, random accidents. Check out your yard and identify any possible hazards for your pet including sharp edges of decks and lawn furniture; damaged fences; sticks or branches at your pet’s level, etc.
TOXIN INGESTION
During the summer animals often spend more time outside and in the garage. Dogs will find rat/mouse bait, antifreeze, recreational drugs, and many other substances.
BUG / SNAKE BITE and ALLERGIC REACTIONS
Our pets are very skilled at finding things to get into, especially if that thing is moving on its own. Bug bites and stings and snake bites can become an issue in the summer months. Pets are exposed to more things outside and therefore can also have allergic reactions to environmental antigens, including bug bites. Identifying where bees, wasps, and other stinging bugs live and helping your pet avoid these areas or removing nests can limit exposure.
Michigan only has one venomous species of snake, the Eastern Massasauga. If you avoid the areas they like for their habitat (wet areas including marshes, meadows and low areas along rivers and lakes) than you will avoid the snakes. If you pet is ever bitten by a snake and you are concerned about what bit it, try to get a picture of the snake for proper identification. Don’t try to catch the snake unless you are 100% sure it is not dangerous.
HIT BY CAR
With windows open, more traffic in and out of the house, and families spending more time outside, we see an increase in the number of "hit by car" dogs we see in the hospital. Keep your dog on a leash when you’re outside and make sure window screens are secure (can’t be pushed out if a pet hits it) to avoid escapes and potential injuries.
FIREWORKS / THUNDERSTORMS
If your pet is afraid of fireworks, then you understand the potential for things going wrong in the summer. Many pet species will become stressed in these noisy situations and will try to escape. Dogs, cats, birds, reptiles and other pets can all become highly stressed and anxious. Dogs and cats are especially known to try to run away from the noise, which leads to many lost and injured pets. If your pet doesn’t tolerate loud noises, talk to your veterinarian about anti-anxiety medications; place your pet in a room without windows and play the radio or TV to drown the sound out, and eliminate any possible structures that could potentially cause an issue if they panicked (e.g. getting stuck behind furniture or under the bed, knocking something over, etc.)
GET YOUR FIRST AID KIT READY / RESTOCKED AND LEARN BASIC PET FIRST AID
You probably have a first aid kit for your family, but do you have what you need for a pet emergency?
Many of the things in a human first aid kit are also needed for a pet first aid kit. Here is a basic list of what you want to have in your kit.
• Your Veterinarian’s Phone Number
• ASCPA Poison Control Phone Number (888) 426-4435
• Local 24hr Emergency veterinarian’s phone number
• Quick Stop for broken toenails
• Bandaging Materials including Gauze pads, Medical tape, Gauze rolls, and Sterile non-stick gauze pads
• Antiseptic wipes, lotion, powder or spray
• Blanket (a foil emergency blanket)
• Cotton balls or swabs
• Ice pack
• Non-latex disposable gloves
• Re**al thermometer (your pet's temperature should be between 99°F and 103°F)
• Petroleum jelly (to lubricate the thermometer)
• Bandage scissors (with blunt ends)
• Sterile saline solution (sold at pharmacies)
• Tweezers
• A pillowcase to confine your cat for treatment
• A pet carrier
• Eye Wash
• Benadryl and accurate information on how to dose it for your pet
To learn pet first aid, the Red Cross has an online course that can be very educational and can help you prepare for pet first aid emergencies.
https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/first-aid/cat-dog-first-aid
Here at AEC we deal with a variety of medical emergencies daily and we understand the stress of having a sick or injured pet. If your regular veterinarian is unable to see your pet, please give us a call. We are always open to help with your pet’s emergencies.