Dogs get Heat Stoke too

Living in Arizona during the summer can definitely have it's challenges, for humans as well as our pets.  For example, when I am out dog walking I must make sure that I have plenty of water for me, as well as the K9. I always wear a hat when outside and there are times I will wear a special heat scarf that gets wet and keeps me cool. 

Dogs cool themselves by panting.  Larger dogs, as well as bulldogs, Pekingese and other short-nosed dogs are more susceptible to heatstroke even in moderate temperatures. 

Our dogs can burn their pads on the hot cement/road, so it's important that you not go for long walks during the middle of the day.  In Arizona, the heat index rises between 2 pm - 7 pm, so try to walk your K9 very early morning or after 7 pm.  You can test out the sidewalk by putting your palm on it or your barefoot.  If it's too hot for you, then it's too hot for your pooch.

You can also purchase a "Kool Collar" by www.fillmewithice.com.  You fill up the collar with ice and put on your dog.  I have a couple of doggie clients that used this collar while on our walks, and it makes a great deal of difference.

A normal temperature for a dog is 101 to 103 F.  A dog is in heat exhaustion when the temperature is between 103-105 F.  If the temperature continues to rises (over 106 F), the dog will go into Heat Stroke, where the internal organs literally starts cooking themselves and will need immediate medical care, or may die.

If you pet is outdoors, please make sure:

• Clean water every day (if you wouldn't drink it, why would you make your pet drink it?}
• Shaded area (under the carport or a doggie house) with a blanket off the hot ground
• Feed twice a day to make sure that your pet is getting enough calories

Signs & Symptoms for Heat Stroke:

• Uncontrollable panting
• Rapid Heart Rate
• Foaming at the mouth
• Depression
• Lethargy
• Agitation
• Vomiting 
• Loss of Consciousness
• Tongue & Gums can start out as Bright Red.  However, the longer the dog is suffering from the heat, they will turn Blue or Grayish due to lack of oxygen
• CRT longer than 2 seconds

What to do if your dog is suffering from Heat Exhaustion or Heat Stoke:

• Bathe or hose down the pet with cool water (DO NOT IMMERSE IN A ICE BATH)
• Place the pet in a cool, well-ventilated space
• Wrap in a wet, cold sheet or towel
• Prepare to treat for shock
• Use a digital thermometer to get a core temperature (make sure you write down the vitals, so you can relay to your veterinarian).
• Get your dog immediately to a veterinarian (know where you emergency vet hospitals are located in case your vet is closed).  The vet will most likely have to give your pet IV therapy to cool down

Remember, our pets are family, so treat them as such.

NEVER LEAVE YOUR PETS OR CHILD IN A CAR

TEMPS CAN REACHED 150 DEGREES

If you would like to learn more about what to do in an emergency, take a Pet CPR and First Aid class by Pet Tech Instructor, Teri Ann Tate

www.comfypetsofaz.com

Heartworms in Dogs

April is Pet First Aid Awareness Month:  

Heartworms in Dogs

What is heartworm disease?

ANSWER Heartworm disease is one of the major health problems of dogs in the United States and throughout the temperate and tropical areas of the world. As well as being found in dogs and other species, it is now being found in cats in ever increasing numbers. The disease develops when a pet becomes infected with parasites called Dirofilaria immitis that are transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. Heartworms are “foot long” worms that live in the heart and major blood vessels of the lungs. Heartworm disease is spread by mosquitoes to dogs and cats as well as other animals, such as foxes, coyotes, and wolves, which act as reservoirs and help spread the disease. While dogs can be infected with just a few to hundreds of worms, cats generally have low worm counts. Even one or two heartworms, however, can be life threatening to a cat. While there is a treatment for infected dogs it is time consuming and costly. There is NO treatment approved for cats so prevention is critical. Heartworm infection often leads to severe lung disease and heart failure and can damage other organs in the body as well.

Is only my dog at risk for heartworm infection? What about cats, ferrets, or wildlife?

ANSWER Heartworm infection primarily affects dogs, but infection also occurs in cats. In fact, diagnosis in cats is on the rise. Ferrets, as well as other mammals, such as wolves, coyotes, foxes, and even sea lions, can be infected with heartworms. Outdoor pets are at greatest risk for infection, especially in regions of the world with high mosquito populations. However, even indoor pets become infected by heartworms as infected mosquitoes can, and do, get into houses. In addition, the disease has been found in all 50 states.

How big is my pet's risk for heartworm infection?

ANSWER Many factors must be considered even if heartworms do not seem to be a problem in your local area. You may travel with your pet to an area where heartworms are more common and not even know it. Heartworm disease is spreading to new regions of the country each year. Stray and neglected dogs and certain wildlife such as coyotes, wolves, and foxes can be carriers of heartworms. Mosquitoes blown great distances by the wind and the relocation of infected pets to previously uninfected areas all contribute to the spread of heartworm disease. This happened following Hurricane Katrina when 250,000 pets, many of them infected with heartworms, were “adopted” and shipped throughout the country! The safest thing to do, and the best insurance against infection, is to administer a year-round heartworm preventive as directed by your veterinarian.

How is heartworm disease transmitted from one pet to another?

ANSWER Adult female heartworms living in an infected dog, fox, coyote, or wolf produce microscopic baby worms called microfilaria that circulate in the bloodstream. When a mosquito bites and takes a blood meal from an infected animal it picks up these baby worms, which develop and mature into “infective stage” larvae over a period of 10 to 14 days. Then, when the infected mosquito bites another dog, cat, or susceptible wild animal the infective larvae exit the mosquito's mouth parts and are deposited onto the surface of the animal's skin. The infective larvae can then actively enter the new host through the mosquito’s bite wound. Once inside a new host, it takes approximately 6 months for the larvae to mature into adult “foot long” heartworms. Once mature, heartworms may live for 5 to 7 years, and because of their longevity, each mosquito season can lead to an increasing number of worms in our pets.

Pet CPR and First Aid 2014 Schedule

2014 Pet CPR, First Aid and Training Schedule

We now have our 2014 schedule up on our website, through August.  Here are a few notes to consider:

March 8th Class - Laveen is full (no registration will be allowed)

April 11th (Friday) in Laveen has 1 Spot Opened

April 26th (Saturday) in Fountain Hills has 5 Spots Opened (bigger classroom)

Laveen:

Saturday May 31st

Sunday June 7th

Saturday July 12th

Saturday August 9th

Fountain Hills:

Saturday April 26th

Saturday June 28th

Saturday August 23rd

Morning Session 8 am - 1 pm

Pet CPR and First Aid

Afternoon Session 2 pm - 5 pm

Pet Dental; Sr. Petizen; AZ Wildlife & Your K9

Bonus Topic: Teri Ann is the only instructor that offers a bonus topic:  AZ Wildlife & Your K9.  This class focuses on the wildlife of AZ and how you may have to deal with medical situations out on our beautiful desert trails.  This portion of the day is very popular and several students, from referrals, have flown in from out of state just to attend this class for this topic.

To register for one of our classes, go to:

Pet CPR and First Aid Registration

Pet Tech Instructor - Teri Ann Tate

Teri Ann has been a Pet Tech Instructor for two years now and has enjoyed teaching her students on what to do in case of an emergency, as well as wellness for your pets.

Teri Ann holds several medical certifications, including:

Pet Tech Instructor (PTI)

Emergency Medical Tech (EMT)

Wilderness Emergency Medical Tech (WEMT)

Emergency Animal Medical Tech I (EAMT I)

Large Animal Rescue Tech II (LART II)

AZ Search & Rescue (AZSAR)

Teri Ann has been working as a pet sitter since 1999 (first in Texas) and brought her business to Cali in 2001 and then back to AZ, where she is a Native, in 2006.  She enjoys taking care of all kinds of animals, including domestic and farm animals.

Teri Ann has two dogs of her own, as well as her horse, Hazi.  She lives in Laveen and her business area covers the Baseline Corridor and South Mountain.  South Mountain Park, which is the largest city park in the nation with over 17,000 acres, is her training mountain for trail running and hiking.  

Teri Ann also owns and operates Doggie Doo Adventures, where she takes a dog out of the dog house and out into nature.  She offers hikes in South Mountain, as well as strolls around Lake Alvord in Laveen.  Two to three times a year she offers an all-day field trip.  Field trips include playing in the snow in Flagstaff or playing on the obstacle course or diving into the lake at Cosmo Dog Park.

Teri Ann spends a lot of her time volunteering with the Medical Rescue Posse of the Maricopa Sheriff's Office, as well as trying to devote as much time in helping Mingus Manor with raising funds for Senior Pets that no one wants.