Long, lazy days of summer can bring mosquitoes to your back yard and pests and heat to bother your pet.

Wednesday, May 31, 2000

Long, lazy days of summer can bring mosquitoes to your back yard and pests and heat to bother your pet.

"Fleas are probably one of the biggest things that we deal with in the summertime," Bellefonte Animal Hospital technician Diane Broughton said.

"Flea dipping," which used to be the common problem solver, is now becoming a thing of the past, Ms. Broughton said.

"We still do dipping, but we are getting away from it now," she said. "We have new products that are longer lasting, more effective, convenient, and are not as messy (as dipping)."

Consumers can now purchase Frontline Topspot, a liquid flea repellent, and bring it home to their pet, rather than taking their pet to the vet.

"You apply the liquid onto (the pet’s) skin in between the shoulder blades, and the product is absorbed. Once it’s absorbed, it pretty much covers the entire body, and it won’t wash off," Ms. Broughton said.

Another new product, Revolution, prevents both fleas and heartworms, and can be conveniently applied in the same manner, she said.

"Frontline comes in packs of three or six (doses), and depending on the size of the animal, Frontline probably ranges about $10 a dose," she said. One dose can (presumably) keep the animal free from fleas for one month, she added.

"Revolution costs more because it prevents heartworm," Ms. Broughton said. Revolution ranges between $13 and $14 per dose and comes in a six-month supply.

Flea allergies are also more common in the summer, and can be treated regularly with over-the-counter antihistamines or prescription medicines.

"Dosage varies from the animal’s weight," she said. "You should call a veteranarian to get a recommended dosage for your pet."

Common over-the-counter treatments include Benadryl and Chlor-Trimeton, she said. "If the medicine is prescribed, we (usually) use Atarax, or in severe cases, we’ll go to a steroid like Predisone."

Most tablets can be administered to pets orally by hiding the pill in foods like cheese, peanut butter, or pieces of meat. Cats can be finicky, and if they will not take the medicine, the owner must forcibly administer the medicine, which can tricky.

"We usually demonstrate how to give a cat a pill (at Bellefonte) so that (the owner) won’t get bit," she said.

Fleas, however, are just an irritant to the pet, and there is much more to summer pet care than removing the itches and sneezes.

"Heat stroke is something we see (in patients) several times throughout the hot summer months," Ms. Broughton said. "Most of the time, it’s just a matter of getting (the pet) indoors and cooling them off."

Dogs are more at risk for heat stroke, because they are more of an outside pet, she said.

"The main thing about heat stroke is getting (the injured) out of the heat and cooling them down," she said. "Some dogs we put in cold water or hose them down, and sometimes we use (intraveneous) fluids."

While at home, it is always good to give outdoor pets plenty of water and shade, Ms. Broughton added. "During those periods of 100-degree weather, it’s best to keep pets indoors; even a garage, or any place that is cooler than the outdoor weather."

When travelling, it is crucial never to leave an animal in a car during the summer, even with the windows cracked.

"When it’s hot, even if an animal is in the car for a short period of time, it’s still dangerous," she said.

Whether the owner is travelling on summer vacation or just cruising in the car, it will be helpful for pet owners to keep in mind additional travelling tips for four-legged passengers.

"It depends on the pet," Ms. Broughton said. "For most cats, it’s best to keep them confined in a travel cage. If you open the car door, cats might dart out and you may never catch them."

Dogs are more likely to travel well.

"Some (dogs) are great in the car, but dogs that are hyperactive can receive prescribed tranquilizers," she said.

If the owner does not like the idea of using sedatives for their pet, the animal can be boarded at either Bellefonte or other clinics, Ms. Broughton said.

For further information on summer pet care, Ironton residents can call 1-800-836-9933.