Safe Loading Practices for Horses

When loading a horse in a trailer, it is important to recognize and carry out safe loading practices. It is your job to make the loading experience pleasant for the horse and safe for the handler.

Visualize in your mind what you would like your horse to do.  This is especially important as this is how horses communicate.  They understand images and emotions.  If you want to make the experience infinitely easier I suggest you use this technique every time.

Before loading, make sure the horse is wearing a halter that fits properly and will not slip off or break during the loading process.

Always lead your horse onto the trailer using a lead rope rather than leading it by the halter. By using a lead rope, the handler will have more control of the horse if it shies or backs away from the trailer. It is also important that the handler not wrap the lead rope tightly around his or her hands. Instead, the handler should lead the horse with the lead rope held in the left hand in a loose coil and in the right hand near the halter.

Before approaching the trailer to load the horse, remove any obstacles that might scare or prevent it from loading. Make sure the trailer partitions are securely fastened so they don’t swing in the horse’s way during loading. Open all vents and windows needed, hang any hay nets, and spread shavings or straw prior to loading.

It is also important to park the trailer in a safe location, away from any obstacles that might injure a horse if it runs back, refusing to load. You should also make sure you have first loaded all other supplies, tack, health papers, etc.

Once the trailer is prepared and these safety precautions taken, you may load your horse.

Ideally, you will tie your horse in the trailer using a quick release snap tie. These trailer ties are long enough to allow the horse to move its head and be comfortable but short enough to prevent it from getting its head under or over any partitions. If you do not have a quick release snap, then tieing your horse with a lead strap and a quick release knot will help serve the same function in case of emergency.

Once the horse is loaded and properly tied, secure all partitions, including the butt bar that may be located behind the horse in the last section of the trailer. If the back door of the trailer were to open during travel, the butt bar would be the only thing to help prevent the horse from backing off the moving trailer. The butt bar also helps prevent horses from prematurely backing off the trailer when the trailer door is opened prior to unloading.

Once horses are loaded, it is best to get on the road. Some horses may become anxious and will quickly get hot in an immobile trailer.

Brought to you by Ashley Griffin, http://www.extension.org/

Blood Pressure Lowered By Beetroot Juice

It has been statistically proven that people with animals have a greater chance of having lower blood pressue.  However, we can still do much to help improve our health with some of the miracle foods that nature provides for us.

The nitrate content of beetroot juice is the underlying cause of its blood pressure lowering benefits, research from Queen Mary University of London reveals.

The study, published online in the American Heart Association journal Hypertension, found that blood pressure was lowered within 24 hours in people who took nitrate tablets, and people who drank beetroot juice. The research will be welcome news to people with high blood pressure who might now be able to use a new ‘natural’ approach to reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease (including stroke and heart attacks) – the world’s biggest killer.

Study author Amrita Ahluwalia, Professor of Vascular Biology at Queen Mary’s William Harvey Research Institute, said the investigation was able to demonstrate that the nitrate found in beetroot juice was the cause of its beneficial effects upon cardiovascular health by increasing the levels of the gas nitric oxide in the circulation Professor Ahluwalia said. “We gave inorganic nitrate capsules or beetroot juice to healthy volunteers and compared their blood pressure responses and the biochemical changes occurring in the circulation.

“We showed that beetroot and nitrate capsules are equally effective in lowering blood pressure indicating that it is the nitrate content of beetroot juice that underlies its potential to reduce blood pressure. We also found that only a small amount of juice is needed – just 250ml – to have this effect, and that the higher the blood pressure at the start of the study the greater the decrease caused by the nitrate.

“Our previous study two years ago found that drinking beetroot juice lowered blood pressure; now we know how it works.”

The results of the study could pave the way for a natural approach to lowering blood pressure that ultimately may help reduce the currently massive burden of cardiovascular disease on the NHS.

Thanks to Drew Kaplan for brining us this valuable article!  http://healthfreedoms.org

Arthritis in Cats

Dr. Jean Hofve, DVM, shares with us some alarming statistics.

Studies have shown that 30% of cats over 8 years of age, and a stunning 90% of cats over 12 years of age, have arthritis. These figures should give the veterinary community, which doesn’t give nearly as much thought to arthritis in cats as it does to dogs, something to think about. What is generally perceived as “slowing down” or “a little stiff” may be a sign of significant joint deterioration, and probably causes some degree of discomfort in most older cats.

Arthritic cats often gradually stop jumping up as high as they once did, and may be reluctant to use the stairs. (Arthritis can cause litterbox problems if there is not a box on every level of the home!) Providing “steps” (a box or stool, for instance) up to a bed, chair, or other favorite high spots may be greatly appreciated by an older cat.

Cats cannot adequately metabolize many of the arthritis and pain medications commonly given to dogs, such as carprofen (Rimadyl). Moreover, ibuprofen (Advil), naproxyn (Aleve), and acetaminophen (Tylenol) are all highly toxic to both cats and dogs. Meloxicam (Metacam) is a newer NSAID that is commonly used for post-operative pain but only for a short time. Some experts claim it can be given long-term at a very low dose, but others are wary of the significant potential for kidney damage in cats. Aspirin can be used, but the dose and schedule are extremely limited; never give your cat aspirin without your vet’s advice.

The good news is that there are simple, inexpensive nutritional supplements that are very effective and, most important, very safe. Supplements for arthritis include: glucosamine sulfate (250 mg per day), and MSM (methyl-sulfonyl-methane) (200 mg per day). Both of these supplements have anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Glucosamine supplies the basic building blocks of cartilage and helps maintain the fluid that cushions and nourishes the joints, and MSM provides elemental sulfur for the body to make certain amino acids and other compounds. But they are not quick fixes—it may take 3-5 weeks for improvement to be noticeable (MSM may take less or more time), and they must be given daily without fail to prevent return of pain. They may not work in all cats. But many guardians notice significant improvement in their cat’s activity and flexibility. Glucosamine is often packaged together with chondroitin, another cartilage compound. However, the evidence is less clear that chondroitin is effective, and it is much more expensive. Plain glucosamine (sulfate only, not hydrochloride) appears to be adequate in most cases.

Another cartilage building block, hyaluronic acid, is also available in oral form. This is the basic ingredient of Adequan, a drug commonly injected directly into affected joints. However, these injections need to repeated regularly and there is always a risk of infection. Hyaluronic acid now comes in oral capsules, but the most effective form appears to be a saline-based liquid called “Hyalun.” The best deal we’ve found is www.horsewarehouse.com, but it is a large bottle and quite expensive. A cat would need at most a few drops per day, although if you also have dogs (or if you have joint problems yourself!) it is a good way to go.

Some herbs, such as Boswellia (frankincense), appear to be effective anti-inflammatories, but few herbs have been thoroughly studied for safety in cats. Boswellia is traditionally used in combination with other herbs in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine. Since some herbs can be extremely toxic to cats, it’s best to consult with a veterinarian trained in the use of western or Chinese herbs (see below).

The antioxidant algae blend, BioSuperfood may also minimize the inflammation and pain of arthritic joints. Omega-3 fatty acids also have excellent anti-inflammatory properties; we recommend Nordic Naturals pet products for their purity and safety.

From a holistic viewpoint, no physical condition is simply physical. In energetic terms, disease, including arthritis, starts on the energetic plane and progresses through the mental and emotional spheres before manifesting itself in the physical body. One way to address this is through the use of flower essences, which can heal the imbalances on the mental and emotional planes. Another way to look at this is that mental “stiffness” ultimately contributes to stiffening of the physical joints. Our sister company, Spirit Essences, has developed an essence remedy called “Creak-Away” that’s designed to keep the animal mentally and emotionally “flexible” and minimize the energetic stresses that contribute to the development of arthritis.

Acupuncture, chiropractic, herbs, homeopathy, specific nutritional strategies and other holistic treatments may also be helpful for arthritic cats. For a practitioner in your area, visit www.holisticvetlist.com or call the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association at (410) 569-0795.

Pet Obesity – 5 Tips for Keeping Your Pet Healthy and Happy

Just as it is dangerous for humans to be obese, pets share the same risks as well.

The rate of having a cardiac arrest greatly increases and, so are their chances of having high blood pressure, orthopedic injuries (such as cruciate ligament rupture or patellar luxation), osteoarthritis, respiratory disorders and various forms of cancer.

By acting on this problem, we choose to make our pets stronger, happier and most importantly, live longer. The first step to solving it is by doing some basic assessment on your own.

Running your hands over your pet’s ribcage and feeling for the layer of fats is one good way to find out if your pet is overweight. Inability to feel the ribs is a sign of an overweight pet.

Looking at your pet from the side and trying to see the tuck on the abdomen is also a good indicator. An obese pet will have very little or no tuck.

By viewing your pet from above, you can see if there is a difference of width at the waist, just above the ribcage. A straight or noticeable bulging area from the ribcage to the hips indicates an overweight pet.

If you see the need of an intervention, there are some tips you can try.

1. Exercise. Animals are meant to run and burn off calories every day. With frequent physical activity, your pet gets rid of extra calories.

2. Try playing more energetic games with your pet. Animals used to staying indoors will be less likely lose weight and become lazier. By encouraging your pet to run around in more strenous games, you also stimulate the muscles that are not often used.

3. Feed them the amount of food that is appropriate for their size. Small dogs get smaller portions than that of bigger dogs. Their size indicates how fast their metabolism is and will be a great factor in losing and gaining weight.

4. Good quality food without a lot of fillers. Fillers are food substances in pet food that offer LITTLE nutrition to simply trick your pet’s brain into thinking that they’re already stuffed.

5. No feeding your dogs while YOU eat. They can be getting more food than you think. While they may be getting their bowl of kibble, receiving table scraps from you during meal time won’t do them good.

Canine Bladder Stones

We humans know how incredibly painful stones can be!  Your animals experience that same type of pain!  Ouch!

Bladder infections should be addressed right on their onset.

This is to prevent future damages to the other vital organs like the kidneys.

Most breeds of dog are susceptible to forming bladder stones. These stones are produced if excess minerals and other waste products solidify or crystallize in the dog’s bladder area. The presence of stones in your dog’s bladder area could affect your dog’s overall health. For starters, your dog may become very irritable.

The most common mistake dog owners make is in not recognizing the symptoms of bladder stones.  When there is a slight change in temperment they can attribute the abnormal behavior to any number of incorrect things.

Female dogs are more prone to bladder stones than male dogs.  And, smaller dogs acquire it more often than the larger breeds.

More often than not, bladder stones only become a problem once it blocks the flow of urine in the urethra. At such point, your dog won’t be able to urinate properly.

IF NOT ATTENDED TO RIGHT AWAY, your dog might even DIE out of the complications of the disease especially if the crystallized stone is too big for its body to bear.

==========
SYMPTOMS
==========

* Frequent Urination
* Abnormalities in the urine
* General weakness
* Loss of appetite

If you have observed any of these symptoms in your dog, especially when your DOG URINATES IRREGULARLY, then it’s important that you take your dog to the VET IMMEDIATELY to make sure if your dog is suffering from this condition.

===========
TREATMENT
===========

Treatment depends on the size and location within the urinary tract.
Stones that become lodged in the urethra require immediate veterinary medical and surgical intervention. These are usually small and enter the urethra from the bladder where they form.

Catheterization is performed in an attempt to dislodge the stones pushing them back into the bladder and freeing up the flow of urine.  Most of the time, these stones must then be removed from the bladder SURGICALLY.

Smaller stones or crystals can often be effectively managed only with special diets designed to dissolve the stones.

DIET FOR DOG WITH THIS CONDITION:

Homemade diets are PREFERRED for dogs with chronic bladder disorders such as bladder stones.  If processed foods must be fed, most holistic veterinarians prefer canned diets, which contain large amounts of water, rather than dry foods.

But it’s suggested to CONSULT YOUR VET FIRST if you do plan on feeding your dog with the said condition a specific homemade diet.

This information was shared by Sharda Baker.

Cat Training: A How To Guide

A cat is a cute furry animal that does not usually need to be given a bath like we give dogs. This is because cats are able to clean up themselves very well. But there is more to just giving them food or brushing their fur and there are certain things the owner must foresee.

Just like an untrained dog, an untrained cat can be a big nuisance. Luckily, training your cat is really easy. Take a simple example, like cat scratches on your bookshelves and tables. Kitten training will take care of this problem, by instructing the cat how to use a scratching post while it’s still young. Similarly, bad odors can be taken care of by teaching the cat to use a litter box.

You can resolve the clawing problems in several ways. Removing the claws when the pet is a kitten is one way. But a number of people think this to be unkind to the pet. Another thing you can do is to purchase a scratching post and coach the cat to scratch on the surface when it has a feeling to scratch.
The most recommended method for training a kitten to use a scratching post is to teach it by repeatedly making the motion with its paws. Cats will probably take a while to learn this, so more frequent cat training is best.

You’ll also need to get a litter box for cat training. When the cat learns to use the litter box, it will solve the problem of messes on the carpet and linoleum, which will arise if a cat hasn’t been housetrained. The litter box is available at any pet store, in a variety of sizes for different sizes of cats.

During the training period with a litter box, owners should keep their eyes on their cat. If the cat indicates that it needs to use the litter box, the owner needs to get the cat to the box quickly. Cats require play and need time to exercise. If you do not get something for the cat to play with, you risk the chance the cat might become destructive with your house.

Lots of different products for cat training are available, and they can be found at pet stores or online shops. In buying them, the owner needs to decide which aspects of the cat’s behavior to try and change, making the cat into a happy indoor pet. Lots of owners, for example, don’t know how to clean cat urine. This smell tends to linger, so a strong cleaner is an absolute necessity.

Article courtesy of Kathrynn Kelley

Hidden Horror In Your Food — Protect Yourself from Invisible Mold on Food

You’ll be protecting yourself and potentially your animal friends as they eat table food after reading this latest article!

We humans aren’t the only ones who relish lush, juicy summertime produce — mold, too, thrives happily on the sugar and moisture so readily available in ripe fruits and vegetables. It even can grow deep into these foods where you can’t see it… ick! According to Leigh Broadhurst, PhD, research geochemist in the USDA’s Beltsville Agricultural Research Services, even invisible mold in your food can make you sick. She told me that just sniffing mold in food can make you ill with symptoms that can range from slightly nauseous to a life-threatening toxic shock reaction. Here is her advice…

Citrus fruits.
When you get home from the market, do an immediate and thorough check of citrus fruits in bags and boxes — if you find one or two with even a bit of visible mold, there are likely to be more — return them all to the store or toss them all into the trash. Mold spreads easily and fast with these fruits, and eating citrus with mold can make you quite ill. And, since it’s sometimes hard to see, if a fruit tastes moldy when you bite into it, spit it out.

Soft fruits and vegetables. This category includes peaches, nectarines, plums, grapes, melons, cucumbers, zucchini and the like, all of which are prone to announce mold by developing soft spots. For these, it’s okay to cut small moldy spots away (meaning those that are less than a quarter of the total piece), taking one-half inch around the spot. To avoid cross-contamination, don’t let the knife touch the mold. Larger soft areas, though, mean mold has invaded the whole fruit or vegetable even though you don’t see it… throw the food away.

Firm vegetables. Hard vegetables, like cabbage, cauliflower, carrots, peppers and others, have little moisture, making them less vulnerable to mold. It is fine to cut off any small patches of mold you see, in this case at least one inch around the mold.

Tomatoes. Brown spots on the outside and dark seeds inside mean you should throw the entire tomato away.

Berries. The ones with hollow centers (like raspberries) may grow mold from the inside out, so cut these in half and look before eating.

BLOCK THAT MOLD!
The safest produce, of course, is that which hasn’t had a chance to grow mold. Dr. Broadhurst has a few tips for that as well…
Shop at local farmer’s markets, where produce is more likely to be just-picked.

Wash produce only when you are ready to eat, cook or freeze it. Fruits and vegetables naturally have protective microorganisms on their surfaces that are harmless — washing strips these off and opens the way for mold to settle in.

Use “freshness preserving” containers and/or bags. These are designed to release the ethylene gas produced as fruits and vegetables mature, which if allowed to accumulate increases the speed of ripening and thus spoilage.

Use the freezer, in particular for fresh berries you want to save. Place the entire package (washed first) into a sealed plastic bag and put it in the freezer, then use the fruit as you need it. (It won’t have the same consistency as fresh fruit, but it’s delicious… nutritious too.) Also a good choice: Frozen berries from the supermarket — they do not mold and are good year-round.

Information from Leigh Broadhurst, PhD, a research geochemist in the USDA’s Beltsville Agricultural Research Services, Beltsville, Maryland, http://www.bottomlinesecrets.com

THE SCIENCE OF VACCINE DAMAGE

Here is an alarming study that I thought everyone should know about. This affects humans and animals alike.

A team at Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine conducted several studies (1,2) to determine if vaccines can cause changes in the immune system of dogs that might lead to life-threatening immune-mediated diseases. They obviously conducted this research because concern already existed. It was sponsored by the Haywood Foundation which itself was looking for evidence that such changes in the human immune system might also be vaccine induced. It found the evidence.

The vaccinated, but not the non-vaccinated, dogs in the Purdue studies developed autoantibodies to many of their own biochemicals, including fibronectin, laminin, DNA, albumin, cytochrome C, cardiolipin and collagen.

This means that the vaccinated dogs — but not the non-vaccinated
dogs — were attacking their own fibronectin, which is involved in
tissue repair, cell multiplication and growth, and differentiation
between tissues and organs in a living organism.

The vaccinated Purdue dogs also developed autoantibodies to laminin,
which is involved in many cellular activities including the adhesion,
spreading, differentiation, proliferation and movement of cells.
Vaccines thus appear to be capable of removing the natural intelligence
of cells.

Autoantibodies to cardiolipin are frequently found in patients with the
serious disease systemic lupus erythematosus and also in individuals
with other autoimmune diseases. The presence of elevated
anti-cardiolipin antibodies is significantly associated with clots
within the heart or blood vessels, in poor blood clotting, haemorrhage,
bleeding into the skin, foetal loss and neurological conditions.
The Purdue studies also found that vaccinated dogs were developing
autoantibodies to their own collagen. About one quarter of all the
protein in the body is collagen. Collagen provides structure to our
bodies, protecting and supporting the softer tissues and connecting them
with the skeleton. It is no wonder that Canine Health Concern’s 1997
study of 4,000 dogs showed a high number of dogs developing mobility
problems shortly after they were vaccinated (noted in my 1997 book, What
Vets Don’t Tell You About Vaccines).

Perhaps most worryingly, the Purdue studies found that the vaccinated
dogs had developed autoantibodies to their own DNA. Did the alarm bells
sound? Did the scientific community call a halt to the vaccination
program? No. Instead, they stuck their fingers in the air, saying more
research is needed to ascertain whether vaccines can cause genetic
damage.

Meanwhile, the study dogs were found good homes, but no
long-term follow-up has been conducted. At around the same time, the
American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Vaccine-Associated Feline Sarcoma Task Force initiated several studies to find out why 160,000
cats each year in the USA develop terminal cancer at their vaccine
injection sites.(3)

The fact that cats can get vaccine-induced cancer has been acknowledged by veterinary bodies around the world, and even the British Government acknowledged it through its Working Group charged with the task of looking into canine and feline vaccines(4) following pressure from Canine Health Concern. What do you imagine was the advice of the AVMA Task Force, veterinary bodies and governments? “Carry on vaccinating until we find out why vaccines are killing cats, and which cats are most likely to die.”

In America, in an attempt to mitigate the problem, they’re vaccinating
cats in the tail or leg so they can amputate when cancer appears. Great
advice if it’s not your cat amongst the hundreds of thousands on the
“oops” list.

But other species are okay – right? Wrong. In August 2003, the Journal
of Veterinary Medicine carried an Italian study which showed that dogs
also develop vaccine-induced cancers at their injection sites.(5) We
already know that vaccine-site cancer is a possible sequel to human
vaccines, too, since the Salk polio vaccine was said to carry a monkey
retrovirus (from cultivating the vaccine on monkey organs) that produces
inheritable cancer. The monkey retrovirus SV40 keeps turning up in human
cancer sites.

It is also widely acknowledged that vaccines can cause a fast-acting,
usually fatal, disease called autoimmune haemolytic anaemia (AIHA).
Without treatment, and frequently with treatment, individuals can die in
agony within a matter of days.

Merck, itself a multinational vaccine manufacturer, states in The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy that autoimmune haemolytic anaemia may be caused by modified live-virus vaccines, as do Tizard’s Veterinary Immunology (4th edition) and the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine.(6) The British Government’s Working Group, despite being staffed by vaccine-industry consultants who say they are independent, also acknowledged this fact. However, no one warns the pet owners before their animals are subjected to an unnecessary booster, and very few owners are told why after their pets die of AIHA.

Article brought to you courtesy of Catherine O’Driscoll,  www.dogsadversereactions.com

Fructose Makes More Belly Fat Cells

Taking care of yourself means you have a LOT more energy to spend on playing with your animal friends.  I strongly encourage you to read the following article as it gives great insight into how you can better care for yourself so you have more energy to care for your animal friends!

Nutrition experts blame sugar as a major cause of the rise in obesity in the United States, noting that the rise in overweight children is especially alarming. Some scientists have zeroed in on fructose as a major cause, especially high-fructose corn syrup that is used in soft drinks and processed foods. Manufacturers have staunchly defended their product, saying it is no more a cause of obesity than other foods. New research may prove their critics were right.

A study at the United Kingdom’s University of Bristol found that when a child’s fat cells mature, if fructose is present, more of the cells mature into fat cells in belly fat. In addition, the cells are less able to respond to insulin in both belly fat and in subcutaneous fat located below the skin.

“Our results suggest that high levels of fructose, which may result from eating a diet high in fructose, throughout childhood may lead to an increase in visceral [abdominal] obesity, which is associated with increased cardiometabolic risk,” lead author Georgina Coade said in a statement. Abdominal obesity, which is defined by a large waistline, raises the risk of cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes.

Early studies had shown that fructose had a negative effect on fat distribution in rats, but people hadn’t been studied. Coade studied biopsy specimens from 32 healthy children who had not undergone puberty.

The investigators obtained preadipocytes — the precursors to fat cells that have the potential to differentiate, or mature, into fat-containing adipocytes — from the biopsies. They then allowed the precursor cells to mature for 14 days in a culture media containing one of three substances: normal glucose (the main sugar found in the bloodstream and the principal source of energy in the body), high glucose, or high fructose.

The researchers found that fructose produced different effects than those of glucose and caused the fat cells to differentiate more — that is, to form more mature fat cells — but only in visceral fat. The fructose also decreased the ability of cells to take up glucose from the bloodstream into fat and muscles. Decreased sensitivity to insulin is a characteristic of Type 2 diabetes.

“Fructose alters the behavior of human fat cells if it is present as the fat cells mature,” Coade said.

According to data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, two-thirds of Americans are overweight or obese. Government statistics show that Mississippi has the highest percentage of obese and overweight children — 44.4 percent.

According to HealthyAmericans.org, obesity costs the United States $75 billion each year in direct costs, but the total costs could reach $139 billion.

Article courtesy of http://healthfreedoms.org

Pet Heat Stroke Guide

Summer delivers myriad opportunities for Frisbee, pool, and vacation fun with your pet. But along with temperatures, the risk of pet heat stroke spikes during the summer.

Heat stroke, the medical name for a pet’s inability to regulate her own temperature, is not just uncomfortable for your dog or cat; it can cause both temporary and permanent organ damage.

With the help of Nancy Peterson, cat programs manager at The Humane Society of the United States, we’ve compiled a guide to pet heat stroke.

Cool Cats and Damp Dogs
Keeping your pets cool and hydrated is the cornerstone of keeping them healthy during hot weather. Always be sure plenty of fresh water is available to your pet, both indoors and out. Place water bowls in a cool, shady place when you play with your pet outside, and don’t tie up or confine your dog outdoors, since it can prevent him from finding the coolest spots in the yard.

Peterson also suggests putting ice cubes in your dog or cat’s water bowl. The cubes can excite your pet’s curiosity – and, of course, keep the water cool and inviting.

If you jog with your dog, do so only during the coolest part of the day, and on the shadier side of the street. “Check the temperature of the asphalt, which can be hot on your dog’s paws,” Peterson reminds runners.

Pets and Parked Cars: A Dangerous Combination
Pets left in a parked car on a hot day face great risk of heat stroke. Our best advice: do not leave your pet in a parked vehicle, even for a short time.

“Even if you think you’ll be back to the car in a minute,” warns Peterson, “even if you’ve cooled the car down with the A/C, the car can heat up very rapidly when you turn the engine off.”

Cracking open the window is inadequate to keep the car cool–plus it exposes your car and your pet to risk of theft.

“If you see a pet in distress in a parked car and can’t find the owner, contact a local animal care agency or the police,” Peterson adds.

When to Worry and What to Do
Obese pets, pets who have suffered heat stroke in the past, pets with respiratory or heart problems, very young and old pets, and pets with short muzzles have an increased chance of heat stroke.

However, all pets experience higher risk when they are dehydrated, overexerted, or in poorly ventilated spaces.

Excessive heavy panting in either cats or dogs can be a symptom of heat stroke.

Your pet may be suffering from heat stroke if her gums change color from bright pink to a brownish pink, or if her tongue becomes deep red or purple. Pets suffering heat stroke often act confused, weak, or disoriented, “almost like they’re drunk,” as Peterson puts it. Their eyes often glaze over, and their heart rate is more rapid than usual. They may vomit or pass out.

If you suspect your pet is suffering heat stroke, bring the pet to a cooler place, if possible.

Apply cool water (but not ice) to the pet’s body, put cool towels on the head, neck and chest, and offer the pet cool water. Don’t force your pet to drink if he is unable or unwilling, and don’t let him drink an excessive amount of water, but only a little.

“Remember,” Peterson advises, “you are trying to lower your pet’s body temperature gradually, not all at once. You can have your pet lick ice cubes to cool off slowly.”

Finally, bring your pet to a veterinarian as soon as possible. “Even if your pet seemed to respond well to the cool water and towels,” says Peterson, “don’t take any chances. Make sure she is thoroughly checked over by a vet.”

We appreciate Talia Argondezzi bringing us this vitally important information on how to support our animal friends in this summer season, www.petside.com