Summer Animal Tips
NEVER, EVER, EVER, LEAVE YOUR PET IN A CAR DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS - NOT EVEN FOR A MINUTE - IT COULD COST YOUR PET ITS LIFE!!!!
Temperatures in a vehicle can reach 120°F in a matter of minutes - even with the windows partially open. Your pet can quickly suffer brain damage or die from heatstroke or suffocation when trapped in high temperatures. Here is what you should do if your pet is exposed to high temperatures:
- Be alert to signs of heat stress: heavy panting, glazed eyes, rapid pulse, unsteadiness, staggering gate, vomiting, or a deep red or purple tongue.
- If you pet has become overheated, you must lower its body temperature immediately by:
- moving your pet to the shade and apply cool (not cold) water all over its body;
- apply ice packs or cold towels to your pets head, neck and chest only;
- let your pet drink small amounts of cool water or lick ice cubes.
- Take your pet to a veterinarian right away - it could save your pet's life.
Safe pet travel
Besides heat stress, you are also endangering your pet to pet theft if you leave it in a car. Thousands of pets are stolen each year from unattended cars.
If you must take your pet in the car, make sure you do safely: cats should ride in pet carriers and dogs should ride in creates or be on a leash. When your pet travels it should where two ID tags - one with its home address and the other with its destination address.
Pet health
Ongoing treatment to prevent flea and tick infestation is also important during the summer months. Lyme Disease is also a growing concern. Contact your veterinarian to determine a course of treatment.
- Pennsylvania Department of Health Lime Disease Fact Sheet
http://www.health.state.pa.us/hpa/cdi/lyme.htm - Chester County Lime Disease Question & Answer Sheet
http://www.chesco.org/health/lyme_disease/index.htm
Heartworm prevention should continue through the summer months to protect your pet from this deadly disease. Since heartworm is transmitted through a mosquito bite, preventative medication should continue to be given as per your veterinarian's specifications.
Wildlife
Wildlife concerns seem to peak in the summer. Remember - Tredyffrin Township is an area with a large and varied wildlife population. Simply seeing a wild animal out and about is not usually a cause for concern. However, if that animal is acting in strange manner - staggering, appearing dazed, unafraid of human presence, or showing physical signs of illness - contact the Tredyffrin Animal Control Officer or Police Department at (610) 647-1440.
Animal Control does not do nuisance trapping and removal. For problems of that nature, contact a wildlife pest control service.
West Nile Virus
Summer months are the peak period for West Nile Virus concerns. West Nile Virus is transmitted through mosquito bite to birds. The most effective way to minimize this risk is to ensure that there is no place on your property for mosquitoes to breed.
If you find a dead bird that has not been there for more than 24 hours and appears to be intact, call the Tredyffrin Township Police or Animal Control Officer for assistance, (610) 647-1440.
- West Nile Virus State Website Link
http://www.state.pa.us - Chester County Health Department West Nile Link
http://www/chesco.org/health/westnile.html
Go To Township West Nile Virus
(610) 644-3221
animalcontrol@tredyffrin.org
