Beat the heat, keep your pet cool!

Here’s some tips to help you beat the heat and keep your pet cool during the hot summer weather.

Most pet owners understand that leaving a pet in a car in the summer can kill them.  Unfortunately, not many realize just how quickly the effects of heatstroke can set in for a dog or cat.

Heatstroke is a condition that develops gradually at first but accelerates over time.  It is very easy for the early signs of heatstroke to not be noticed, and for the pet to be in an emergency situation fairly quickly.

On a summer day, a vehicle acts like an oven.  It holds the heat inside, and that heat becomes very intense even on days that don’t seem too warm. On an summer day, for example, even with the windows open, the temperature inside a car can climb to 120 degrees in just minutes and with humidity, it may go even higher. Because a pet’s normal body temperature is 101-102.5 degrees Fahrenheit, he/she can only tolerate a body temperature of 107-108 degrees for only a very short time before suffering irreparable brain damage…or death.

If you are going to do errands where you’ll have to get out of your vehicle this summer, do what is best for your pet by leaving them home with proper shelter and water, or inside to enjoy the comforts of air conditioning. 

Dogs should be walked in the early morning and early to later evening to keep them comfortable during the summer weather.  Pets should be provided with plenty of fresh, clean, cool water.  They should also be provided with shade.  They should be check upon frequently to make sure they are not too hot, especially if they are left outside.

The typical signs of heatstroke are:
-Panting
-High body temperature
-Dehydration
-Red mouth/eye membranes
-Rapid, irregular heart rate
-Diarrhea
-Weakness, looking dazed
-Coma

A heatstroke is an emergency situation where your pet needs immediate medical attention.

They survived a fire and need a home …

These four little kittens have survived a fire and need a great home.  The adoption fee for each kitten is $75.00 and that includes their leukemia/fiv test, fecal test, dewormings and whatever vaccines and medications we have given.  It also includes their neuter when they are old enough!  Please stop by to visit our homeless kittens and help tell others about them.

Please see our “Every Pet Deserves A Home” for more information.

Does my pet have a flea bite allergy?

FLEA ALLERGY

 

Signs of flea-bite allergy result from hypersensitivity (allergy) to flea saliva.  In an allergic dog, the bite of a single flea may cause a serious problem.  Extensive skin damage may result from biting and scratching, causing areas of hair loss and sores, frequently seen at the base of the tail.  Although flea-bite allergy can be controlled with medication, the best treatment is to protect your pet from flea bites with products one of today’s prescription products available, such as Advantix.

 

Flea allergies are most common in late summer and fall in areas with cold winters and warm summers.  In warm climates or in heated flea-infested houses, flea allergy may occur throughout the year.   Treatment of the environment as well as the pet is important, because fleas spend most of their time in the environment, and not on the dog or cat.  

 

Flea allergies usually worsen as animals age.  Signs may begin earlier in the flea season and last longer.  Also skin reactions generally become more severe.  Treatment includes flea control on the pet and in the environment and suppression of the allergic reaction.  Corticosteroids, food supplements, and antihistamines may be used in acute flare-ups, the veterinarian will recommend the best course of treatment for your dog or cat.

 

“How do I know …WHEN?”

A call came in recently from a client with an ill pet. The client asked “How will I know WHEN it’s time?, “How do I know when she’s suffering?” and “How do I know when to let her go?”.

My heart goes out to this client who is struggling with making this decision and with this illness with her pet.

There’s no easy answer or easy way to make the decision. The client lives with the pet every day and is the one who knows the pet’s quality of life better than anybody. Each situation is different and the answer is often different for each one of us.

Anyone who has ever loved a pet dreads this decision. It is very difficult and painful. We all beg for our animals to pass peacefully in their sleep.  This is the hardest decision we make when it comes to our pets. It never gets any easier. We can offer your advice and support but no one can make the decision for you.

Everyone makes the decision a little differently.  Some pet lovers do not wait until their pet’s discomfort becomes chronic and they choose euthanasia much sooner than others. Some owners wait until their pet has stopped eating or has lost interest in normal things that they typically love to do. Some wait until there’s no doubt the time is at hand while others select euthanasia upon diagnosis of an illness.

There’s no absolute rule, and every method for deciding is right for some pets and some owners. As you live life with an terminally ill pet or geriatric pet, you enjoy each and every day and you do the best you can.

The advances in veterinary medicine have made the decisions even more difficult for many people. We can keep a seriously ill pet comfortable and even offer treatments such as chemotherapy. If you can have a realistic expectation that a course of treatment will improve your pet’s life — rather than simply prolong it — then those options should be considered. But you must also ask yourself: Am I doing right by my pet, or am I just holding on because I can’t bear to say goodbye?

Choosing to end a pet’s suffering is often the final act of love we can give to our beloved pet.

Thanks

Thanks to everyone who attended our recent Open House.  We appreciate all of the donations which were given to Capital Area Humane Society.

Thanks to all of the people who helped us in a variety of ways during the open house!

Surgery at Concord Chapel Animal Hospital

Dr Gale Kerr and Vet Tech Katherine – in Surgery

Surgeries are scheduled weekdays. Your pet is monitored closely before, during and after surgery.

Our staff is happy to discuss the benefits of having your pet spayed or neutered. There are many other surgeries performed including emergency surgeries which are performed for various health reasons.

We hope you’ll make plans to attend our upcoming Open House. You’ll be able to see our surgery suite, the heated surgery table, our monitoring equipment and meet our veterinarians and staff.

Open House Details …

The date and time has been set for the upcoming Open House at Concord Chapel Animal Hospital in Grove City OH.

Please make plans to visit this old historical church building formerly known as Concord United Methodist Church. The designing architect will be on-site to give tours of this amazing renovation into a state of the art veterinary hospital. Many of the stained glass windows were able to be saved. The high ceiling has been utilized and a loft area exists as office space and a lounge.

During the open house, we’ll share pet information and have something fun for nearly everyone. Stop by for a tour, meet the veterinarians and staff, participate in a fundraising event for Capital Area Humane Society, win prizes and more. Visit the OPEN HOUSE page for MORE information.

Special thanks to an animal lover and Grove City resident …

Great news!

“Miss Olive” found a great home.

Special thanks to Tara Preston for helping this homeless kitten locate her new home!

Concord Chapel Animal Hospital is helping another homeless kitten find a forever home. Please click on the page “EVERY PET DESERVES A LOVING HOME” to see more pictures and for information about this beautiful cat, BELLA!

We are grateful for the caring community of Grove City where residents care about each other and the well being of our pets!

Veterinary Technician Shannon prepares to xray a dog…

Homeless Kitten

There’s a large amount of homeless pets and many groups helping these pets everyday.

We are trying to find a home for one kitten. Please visit the newly added page: Every Pet Deserves a Loving Home (located in the right upper hand corner) for MORE pictures and MORE information!