Keep Your Pets Cool This Summer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 25, 2007

For more information contact:
Laurie Ringquist, Director, Animal Care and Control, City of Bloomington, 349.3492
Maria K. Heslin, Communications Director, City of Bloomington, 349.3569

Bloomington, IN -- The [City of Bloomington Animal Care and Control Division|/sections/viewSection.php?section_id=62], as part of the [Adopt Today!|http://bloomington.in.gov/adopt-today] effort, is [image:2150,right]recognizing June's Be Bloomington theme, Be Safe Bloomington Month, several days early in order to address summer pet safety issues. The division is urging citizens to take precautions to protect their pet during warm-weather months. Here are a few simple guidelines to help keep your pet safe, healthy and happy during hot weather:

• Avoid leaving your pet inside your car, even if you're parked in the shade. Dogs and cats are not able to perspire and can only dispel heat by panting and through the pads of their feet. Within just a few minutes, pets can suffer from heat exhaustion, heat stroke and brain damage if left in hot cars.
• Dogs should never ride in the back of a pick-up truck because flying debris can cause serious injury or a dog may be thrown into traffic if the driver suddenly applies the brakes, swerves or is involved in a crash. It is estimated that 100,000 dogs die this way every year.
• Beware of plant food, fertilizer and insecticides used on lawns and gardens. These chemicals can be fatal if your pet ingests them.
• When providing your pet with exercise, take extra care when it is hot. This is especially true for older dogs, short-nosed dogs and those with thick coats. On extremely hot days, limit exercise to early morning or evening hours and be aware that asphalt can burn your pet's paws.
• Like humans, animals can get sunburned too. Pets with light-colored noses or light-colored fur are more vulnerable to sunburn and skin cancer.
• Heat stroke and heat exhaustion are very serious and may result in death. Signs of heat stress include heavy panting, glazed eyes, a rapid pulse, unsteadiness, vomiting or a deep red or purple tongue. If you suspect your pet is suffering from heat stroke and heat exhaustion, move your pet into shade and apply cool water over the body. Apply cold towels or ice packs to your pet's head, neck and chest only. Let your pet drink small amounts of water or lick ice cubes to lower the body temperature. Most importantly, get your pet to a veterinarian immediately.

For additional summertime tips for you and your pet, visit [www.mydogiscool.com|http://www.mydogiscool.com].

For more information on caring for your pet in summer, please contact Dr. Jo Liska, Behavior Consultant/Community Outreach, at 812-349-3492 or [liskaj@bloomington.in.gov|mailto:liskaj@bloomington.in.gov].