Tips for keeping your pet safe this summer

A local veterinarian is offering up tips to keep your pets safe this summer.

If you're including your pup on a family outing, Dr. Jeff Goodall from Bedford's Sunnyview Animal Care Centre says never leave them in the car on a hot day and make sure they have access to shade and water.

“Pack picnic foods that are dog safe, so when you're out on your picnic with your puppy, avoid raisins, grapes and xylitol sweetened foods,” he told CityNews Halifax.

You'll also want to keep them on a leash and well away from a campfire.

If you're heading to a lake or river for a swim, be on the lookout for blue-green algae. The naturally occurring cyanobacteria thrive in warm freshwater.

Goodall warns it's highly toxic and can quickly be fatal for pets.

“By the time your dog has contacted it, it's probably going to be pretty bad,” he said. “You need to seek immediate care.”

And the vet says don't just assume your dog will know how to swim. Make sure they have a life jacket.

“Think about your animal's safety, cat and dog, around your pool. Make sure there's a safe entry and exit and remember fences save lives,” Goodall stated.

“Make sure you rinse your dog or cat off from the chlorine or salt.”

Ticks are a growing concern in Nova Scotia. In fact, our province has the highest ratio of ticks to people in Canada and Lyme disease isn't the only tick-borne illness. That's why preventative medications are important.

Heat stroke and heat exhaustion can also be big risks this time of year.

“The symptoms are so close to each other, so it's a challenge to identify the differences, but in the end your dog will start panting excessively, become very, very tired, their tongue will be dry and the colour may not be the greatest,” Goodall explained.

“Rapid heart rate, rapid breathing, there will be a lot of salivation.”

If that happens, offering up a drink of water will likely not be enough.

He said you need to get them into a cooler environment immediately, like moving them into the shade. 

“If you have an air conditioned home or car, get them in there so that they're breathing cooler air,” Goodall said.

Don't submerge them in cold water, but you'll want to splash water their under arm pits and on their belly.

“Don't use absolutely cold water, it has to be tepid water. If you have a plant mister, mist your dog with that, but don't cover the pet with wet towels because that can insulate your dog or cat and cause them to heat up again.”

Goodall said when in doubt, call your vet.