February Newsletter 2016

Feb

2016

It’s almost hard to believe we can already be in February, it feels like we only just got through Christmas! The weather is certainly pulling out all the stops, giving us plenty of days that are proper scorchers! It’s important to remember that if we are feeling (and suffering!) from the heat, then our furry friends will be too.

The following tips are some good ways to ensure that your pet is comfortable during the warmer months, to keep them healthy and happy!

Water: Ensure that all your pets have access to fresh, cool water at all times. Unlike humans, animals cannot regulate their body temperatures through sweating and so need other ways to cool down. Try placing multiple bowls around your house and property in shady areas to keep your pet hydrated and happy. For rabbits and guinea pigs who are particularly susceptible to heat, try putting a frozen water bottle in their hutches to help them cool down during the day.
Shade: All pets need a cool, shady place to lie in during the summer. Ensure that your pets have some place to go to when the day is at its hottest. It’s also important to consider your caged pets and make sure that they are away from direct sunlight so that they too have a chance to get away from the heat.
Exercise: As the weather gets better, it is natural to want to get out and enjoy the sun with your pets. However, it is best to take your pets for walks in the early morning or late afternoon when it’s cooler, and even taking them for a paddle in the water to cool off. By missing the hottest part of the day, you are lessening the risk of dehydration, sunburn, heatstroke, or burnt paws from walking on hot concrete, so your pet will enjoy your time together much more.
Car safety: NEVER leave your pets inside a car on a hot day. If it feels too hot for you inside your vehicle, spare a thought for your pets who have a layer of fur keeping them insulated. It can take only minutes for your pet to experience serious health issues when trapped inside a hot car and can mean a very sad experience for both of you. Symptoms of heat stroke include: excessive heavy panting, staring, anxious expression, refusal to obey commands, warm dry skin, high fever, rapid heartbeat, vomiting, and collapsing.
Sunscreen: Pets can get burnt too! Those with pink or light coloured skin on their ears, forehead, nose, and lips are especially vulnerable to sunburn and susceptible to skin cancer. It may pay to keep your pets out of the sun between 10 and 4 when the sun is at its hottest and to invest in pet sunscreen.

News from the clinic:

Hill’s T/D is a complete diet that is specially formulated to support dental health. We currently have a special on that every marked pack of 1.8kg bag of Hill’s Feline T/D will get you $10 off instantly!
Nexgard Chewables – Approval has been received from the Ministry for Primary Industries to extend the shelf life of Nexgard Chewables from 24 to 36 months, this has become effective from 2^nd of November. We have checked all our stock to make sure it complies with this new extension however, if you have received or buy a pack of Nexgard and are unsure about the best before date, feel free to speak to one of the nurses at reception who can check the batch number for you.

We hope you’re enjoying the summer and making good use of this lovely weather!

All the best,

The team at Whangaparaoa Vet Centre.

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