Exclusive Interview With Bayer Animal Health's Dr. Jennifer Schofield Regarding Summer And Pups - Part 2

During the summer, temperatures soar higher than ever, and pups really want to play! It’s important that pup Mommies and Daddies keep their fur balls safe and healthy during these hot months.

So, we asked a vet how! If you missed our first part to these tips, do check those out – but for now, here are more tips to help fur balls survive the heat! It’s important to keep in mind that pups need time to adjust to the shift in climate just as much as humans do; it can take up to two months! While humans can wear shorts and flip flops to counter the weather, pups can’t, and they don’t understand the need to stay cool. You need to take care of them!

Remember that heat really radiates from concrete and asphalt, so a pup on a walk on these surfaces or even near to them can experience a spike in body temperature. Your pups paws can even be severely injured by too-hot ground. This also goes for cars. You should never leave a pup in a parked vehicle, no matter what the season, but even more in the summer.

Dr. Jennifer Schofield from Bayer Animal Health says, “Never leave a pet in a parked car regardless of how long you think you’ll be gone or if the car is parked in what appears to be a shaded spot. The temperature in a vehicle can rise almost 20 degrees in just 10 minutes; on a 70 degree day, temperatures can exceed 104 degrees in just 30 minutes. There’s a pretty eye-opening chart on the AVMA website that depicts interior temperature against elapsed time.”

Now, what happens if you see a pup who seems to be overheated? Seek veterinary help immediately! Heatstroke is a potentially fatal condition. If you can, wet the pup down with cool water before driving to a vet, or turn up the AC en route.

She continues to add that, “Heatstroke is a life-threatening emergency that can be fatal. If possible wet the dog down with cool water prior to transport to the veterinary hospital and enhance ventilation en route by placing the pet in front of the air conditioning vent or driving with the windows down.”

Concerned about other diseases that may crop up during the summer? Make sure your pup gets regular check ups twice a year and receives a regular treatment for internal and external pests. Contact your vet with other worries and concerns. Were these tips helpful? If so, give this a like and share it with other pup Mommies and Daddies. Have a lovely summer!

Feature Image Source: Pixabay