Now that summer weather is here, many people are enjoying the sunny days outside with their pets. As temperatures soar, we should take special precautions to protect our animals from heat-related emergencies. The heat index forecast is a great tool for helping pet owners plan appropriate activities. For instance, on an 85-degree day, when the humidity gets to 89%, it feels like the temperature is over 100 degrees outside! Understanding the heat index can help us decide when to take shelter indoors, and when it is ok to play outside.

While most of us are aware of the risk of overheating when pets are left in cars, many pet owners don't realize that animals can suffer heatstroke during normal, day-to-day activity. Heatstroke occurs when a pet cannot pant away enough of the heat building up in his body. When it is hot outside, restrict exercise to hours before 9 in the morning, and after 7 in the evening. Pets need access to cool water at all times, and care should be taken not to leave pets tied or penned in places where they cannot find shade, even for a short time. When possible, keep pets indoors during the hottest times of the day. Keep their coats well groomed and free of mats and tangles so that the fur can allow body heat to pass through and cooler air to circulate. Watch your pet closely for any signs of over-heating.

Pet owners should be aware that heatstroke is a true emergency. Symptoms can include excessive panting and drooling, glazed eyes or staring, confusion, staggering, vomiting, and bright red or purplish tongue and gums. If you suspect that your pet may be overheated, wet him thoroughly with cool (not ice-cold) water and place him in front of a fan. Contact your veterinarian immediately, or take your pet to an animal emergency clinic if your regular animal hospital is closed. At Oak Hill Animal Hospital, we welcome your questions about summer safety for your pet. Feel free to stop by the clinic, or call for an appointment before heat-related medical needs take you by surprise.

In order to thoroughly control flea populations, preventatives should be used year-round. Though the flea population does decline some in colder months, in our temperate homes and on our pets’ warm bodies, fleas do easily survive the winter. Research conducted over a period of several years suggests that huge surges in flea population in July, August, September and October might be dramatically reduced by the use of flea preventatives in the preceding months. If pet owners fail to use flea control products during so-called "down times,” it may require greater effort and expense to control fleas in the future.

In addition to being nuisances, fleas do pose health risks to pets and people. Many animals (including humans) develop an allergy to fleabites. This can result in the need for costly medical intervention. Other health concerns include anemia (especially in small puppies and kittens) and tapeworms. Fleas carry tapeworm larvae, which develop in the intestinal tract of animals that swallow fleas in the grooming or scratching process. Even cats that never leave the house are at risk from fleas that hitchhike rides on us or other pets.

At Oak Hill Animal Hospital, we are concerned about preserving your pets' health. We welcome the opportunity to discuss the many options available to pet owners for parasite control. Since preventatives are specific to weight, we invite you to drop in with your pet for an accurate and free weight check! Feel free to contact our office with questions, or call for an appointment with our technician or doctor. We look forward to helping you and your pet be "flea free!"

Most people who have dogs are aware of heartworms. It is part of regular discussions in every veterinary clinic, with sick pets and well. In spite of these conversations, though, there are many common misconceptions about heartworms and heartworm preventatives. Many people have no idea how heartworms are transmitted, or that cats are susceptible to heartworms, too. Fortunately, the staff at Oak Hill Animal Hospital is eager to share information on this vital topic and are well trained to answer your questions.

To begin, you should be aware that mosquitoes transmit heartworms! (Are you surprised?!) In fact, one single bite can transmit 10-12 heartworm larvae to your pet. In Michigan, scientists calculated an average of 102 bites in one hour. (Imagine what we might have in Georgia in the heart of a humid, hot summer!) In fact, in the South, your pet is threatened by this parasite year-round. It is not uncommon to see mosquitoes in December on any sunny day. This means that your pet should be on year-round heartworm protection.

There are many heartworm preventatives available through your veterinarian. A common misconception about these products is that they are expensive. In fact, at Oak Hill Animal Hospital, several different products are offered to fit any budget. In addition, clients can purchase a single dose each month, or they may buy up to a one-year supply for greater convenience. An added benefit is that heartworm preventatives also offer control of different intestinal parasites, some of which are transmissible to people. Some products also offer flea control!

At Oak Hill Animal Hospital, we welcome the opportunity to give our clients more information about parasites and preventatives. Feel free to stop by any time to speak with our staff about your pet's heartworm needs.