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New_this_ week is __

a 3 month old male gray and white kitten,

a 6 week old, male chocolate lab mix,

Pet Health Tips For Hot Weather

    Overheating can kill an animal.  Never leave an animal alone in a vehicle.       Even with the windows open, a parked car, truck or van can quickly become a furnace.  Parking in shade offers little protection, as the sun shifts during the day.  When traveling, carry a gallon thermos filled with fresh, cold water.

    Don't force your animal to exercise after a meal in hot, humid weather.  Always exercise him in the early morning or in the evening. 

    In extremely hot weather, don't leave your dog standing on the street, and keep walks to a minimum.  He is much closer than you to the hot asphalt, and his body can heat up quickly.  His paws can also burn, since they are not protected by shoes. 

      Always provide plenty of shade for an animal staying outside.  A properly constructed dog house serves best.  Bring your dog inside during the hot time of the day and let her rest in a cool part of the house.  Provide plenty of cool water.  Keep cats indoors. 

    Be sensitive to old and overweight animals in hot weather.  Snub-nosed dogs (especially bulldogs, Pekingese, Boston terriers, Lhasa apsos and Shih tzus) and those with heart or lung diseases should be kept in air-conditioned rooms as much as possible.

    Keep a current license and identification tag on your animal and consider tattooing or micro-chipping as permanent identification. 

    Avoid walking your dog in areas that you suspect have been sprayed with insecticides or other chemicals, as poisonings increase during the summer months when gardens, lawns and trees are sprayed.  These chemicals can sicken or kill an animal.  Call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center               (1-888-4ANI-HELP) if you suspect that your animal has been poisoned. 

    Be alert for coolant leaking from your vehicle.  Animals are attracted to the sweet taste of coolant, and ingesting just a small amount can cause an animal's death.  Try animal friendly products that use propylene glycol rather that those containing ethylene glycol.

    A clean coat can help prevent summer skin problems; keep your animal well-groomed.   Shaving heavy-coated dog hair to a one-inch length helps prevent over heating. Don't shave the hair down to the skin; this robs the dog of protection from the sun.  A cat should be brushed often for a tangle free coat. 

    Take your companion animal to the vet for a spring or early summer check-up, including a test for heartworm if your dog isn't on year-round preventative medication.  Have the doctor recommend a safe, effective flea-and-tick-control program.

    Never tie an animal outside on a correction collar.  He can choke to death.  If you must tether him, use an overhead trolley system with a buckle collar. 

    Never let your animal loose outside.  An animal can contract a fatal disease or be injured, killed or stolen.  Be sure there are no open, unscreened windows or doors through which your animal can fall or jump.