Hot Weather Hazardous To Pets

Summer’s hot and humid weather can pose a serious danger to pets. The American Red Cross has helpful steps to keep the family pets safe and healthy during the sweltering heat.
NEVER LEAVE PETS IN THE CAR. Pet owners should not leave their animal in the car, even for a few minutes, when the hot weather arrives. The inside temperature of the car can quickly reach 120 degrees. Pet owners are urged to refrain from leaving animals in the car, even with the windows cracked open.
HEAT STROKE is a common problem for pets in the warmer weather. Dogs with short noses or snouts, like the boxer or bulldog, are prone to heat stroke. This is also true for any obese pet, a pet with an extremely thick fur coat or any pet with upper respiratory problems such as laryngeal paralysis or collapsing trachea.

 

Some signs your pet may be developing heat stroke include heavy panting and being unable to calm down, even when lying down. Their gum color may be brick red, their pulse rate may be fast, or they may not be able to get up. If you suspect your pet has heat stroke, take their temperature rectally. If the temperature is above 105 degrees, cool the animal down. The easiest way to do this is by using the water hose. Stop cooling the animal when the temperature reaches 103 degrees. Bring your pet to the veterinarian as soon as possible as heat stroke can lead to severe organ dysfunction and damage.
PLANTS CAN BE HAZARDOUS. Pet owners also need to be aware that animals may try to get out a window or door, which are more likely to be open as the weather warms. And some plants in your garden can be hazardous to animals. For instance, many lilies are very poisonous to cats. Visit the ASPCA Poison Control web site to find out which plants and flowers are poisonous to animals.
Your pet is part of the family. And just like any other family member, pets deserve to be cared for and protected. Follow these important steps to help keep your pet at their best:

• Give your pet plenty of exercise. Regular exercise will help your pet feel better and live longer.
• Make sure your pet has plenty of fresh, cool water.
• Get to know a veterinarian and make sure your pet has yearly checkups.
• Make sure your pet is up to date on vaccines, especially rabies.
• Get your pet spayed or neutered.
• Keep dogs on leashes outside – another animal may be too much temptation.
• Know how to perform CPR and provide basic first aid until veterinary care is available.

Animals can’t tell you when they aren’t feeling well. Many hide signs of illness until a problem is very advanced. Knowing what is normal for your pet and being able to recognize changes early, can make a huge difference in treatment success. The first step is to know what is normal for your pet – their gum color, heart/pulse rate, body temperature and breathing rate - so you can recognize when something is wrong.
Additional tips are located on our Pets and Disaster Safety Checklist. Pet First Aid courses are offered at many Red Cross chapters throughout the country. The Red Cross has also developed Dog First Aid and Cat First Aid, comprehensive guides with DVDs to help your keep pets healthy and safe. From basic responsibilities, like spaying/neutering and giving medications, to performing CPR and preparing for disasters, these guides offer information pet owners can trust. Contact your local chapter to see when classes are available or to purchase guide books. Products can also be purchased online at the Red Cross Store.


Content Credit:
http://www.redcross.org/portal/site/en/menuitem.1a019a978f421296e81ec89e43181aa0/?vgnextoid=e6b4c95d2c298310VgnVCM10000089f0870aRCRD



-Denea Duran

Bark To The Park Pictures

Almost $100,000 was raised this year to benefit adoption centers across the Midlands! Get involved: http://pawmettolifeline.org/ Feel free to vist http://tiawilliams.smugmug.com/SERVPROEvents/Bark-to-the-Park to download a high def. image of your photo! Simply hover over the photo, click "original" and save to your computer.


Here are a few of my favorite pictures captured at the event!





























-Denea Duran

Sneak Peek of Bark To The Park 2012

If you were not in attendance at Bark To The Park this Saturday then you missed out! It was not only an amazing turn out and time with my SERVPRO colleagues, but I learned about many types of mixtures of dogs that I never knew existed! Although Pawmetto Lifeline did not achieve their goal to raise $100,000, they still raised an outstanding $91,241.62 for shelters across the Midlands.

A sneak peek from the event--

Many more photos to come!

-Denea Duran

How Healthy Is Your Pet?

Having a pet is not only about shelter, food, romp and fun but also about keeping your pet healthy and happy. Would you know what to do if your pet was choking or suddenly stopped breathing? Here are some tips to ensure that you know all of the proper steps to keep your animal pal in prime condition!

HOW TO KEEP YOUR PET HEALTHY
Pet owners can follow these important steps to help keep their pet healthy. Make sure your pets:

• Get plenty of exercise.
• Have plenty of fresh, cool water.
• Get regular yearly checkups with their veterinarian, and are up to date on vaccines (especially rabies).
• Are spayed or neutered.
• Are kept leashed while outside – another animal or flashy object may be too much temptation.

Know how to perform CPR and provide basic first
aid until veterinary care is available 

PET FIRST AID    Courses on how to better care for your pet are available at many local Red Cross chapters. The Red Cross has also developed Dog First Aid and Cat First Aid Guides with DVDs that teach basic pet responsibilities available at their Store. The guides cover many helpful topics such as spaying/neutering, medications, proper CPR techniques and disaster preparedness. For more information, visit Redcross.org/training or call 1-800 RED CROSS to see when classes are available.




Content Credit: redcross.org
Photo Credit: Google Image

-Denea Duran

Bark to the Park 2012

Bark to the Park is right around the corner! Join Luna, Buddy, Penny and the rest of the SERVPRO team in raising money for our furry Midlands friends! It is only appropriate that we dedicate our April blog to the pets that love us unconditionally despite our crazy human antics. This week we will give you tips and fun projects to enjoy with your furry children.

 

Walk Begins: 10:30am

Festival Begins: 9:00am-1:00pm
Walk Registration: 9:00am

Bark to the Park: Walk and Festival for the Animals is one of Pawmetto Lifeline's largest fundraising efforts. It returns with exciting additions and changes. Bark to the Park now has a new time and a new walk route for 2012! Festival activities and walk registration will begin at 9:00am and the fun doesn't stop until 1:00pm. The one-mile walk begins at 10:30am where participating walkers and their pets will strut their stuff through downtown Columbia.

Join us for Bark to the Park 2012 and enjoy a fun-filled family day while helping support shelter pets across the Midlands. Click here to see Early Bird Registration Specials! Get an early start and form a walk team today or sign up as an individual walker. If you cannot be present on April 14th, you can still participate as a virtual walker! There are great prizes for all levels of walkers, and the sooner you start letting everyone know about your involvement the better!

All proceeds benefit shelter pets in the Midlands. More than 18,000 dogs and cats are euthanized in just two area shelters each year. Help us help them by participating in the 2012 Bark to the Park Walk and Festival for the Animals.

Register for Bark to the Park now and start saving lives today!

-Denea Duran

Photo Credit: Projectpet.com

Content Credit: Projectpet.com

Pet Tips

Our animals are very important to us,--they are like family! Here are a few tips for keeping them warm this winter.

 



 

Just for fun:



 

-Denea Duran

Disaster Supplies Kit Checklist for Pets

Particularly during September, National Preparedness Month, we hit on topics such as how you can be prepared for an emergency, what you need in your home emergency kit, what to do in quarantine situations, etc. What rarely gets covered, though, is how to keep your pets healthy and happy. Take a look at what you'll need to get the whole family through an emergency situation.

[ ] Food and water for at least three days for each pet, food and water bowls and a manual can opener.
[ ] Depending on the pet, litter and litter box or newspapers, paper towels, plastic trash bags, grooming items, and household bleach.
[ ] Medications and medical records stored in a waterproof container, a first aid kit and a pet first aid book.
[ ] Sturdy leashes, harnesses and carriers to transport pets safely and to ensure that your pets cannot escape. A carrier should be large enough for the animal to stand comfortably, turn around, and lie down. Your pet may have to stay in the carrier for hours. Be sure to have a secure cage with no loose objects inside it to accommodate smaller pets. These may require blankets or towels for bedding and warmth and other special items.
[ ] Pet toys and the pet's bed, if you can easily take it, to reduce stress.
[ ] Current photos and descriptions of your pets to help others identify them in case you and your pets become separated, and to prove that they are yours.
[ ] Information on feeding schedules, medical conditions, behavior problems and the name and telephone number of your veterinarian in case you have to board your pets or place them in foster care.

Content Credit: http://emergency.cdc.gov/preparedness/kit/disasters/

Photo Credit: http://browndresswithwhitedots.tumblr.com/post/9702231083

Sandy Hayden