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This
information DOES NOT replace professional veterinary care. It is
intended solely for educational purposes. Your pet's medical condition
should be evaluated by a veterinarian before implementation of any
medical or husbandry changes. If there is a potentially life-threatening
emergency involving your pet, take your pet to a veterinarian or
veterinary facility IMMEDIATELY.
June
2008
Summer
Safety for Kitties
While
people are enjoying summer fun in the sun we would like to remind
cat owners of a few safety tips of particular importance for the
season.
Flying
is for the Birds
Cats love to lounge on windowsills to soak up the summer sun, but
falls from open windows are a major hazard during the summer months.
This kind of accident happens so frequently in cities, that is has
been given the name "high rise syndrome". As the name suggests,
falls from high floors can occur, but in fact, falls from lower
floors can actually be more hazardous because the cat does not have
time to orient its body for landing. During falls from lower floors,
the cat's body is accelerating and it is usually falling headfirst
resulting in injuries to the face, chest and front legs. Cats don't
actually have nine lives so please install sturdy window screens
to keep your kitty from overstepping his boundaries.
Too
Hot to Handle
Cats aren't usually great travelers and would probably prefer to
stay home while you go out to enjoy the summer fun. However, if
you must travel with your cat during the summer it is very important
to remember that no pet or child should ever be left in a parked
car for any amount of time. Cars get very hot very fast, with interior
temperatures climbing over one hundred degrees Fahrenheit, sometimes
within minutes. Even with a window open the heat can become dangerous
in a very short time. Death by heatstroke is extremely painful and
entirely preventable. Schedule your travel for the cooler parts
of the day and if you must stop along the way take the kitties out
of the car too (safely in their carriers of course!).
Pesky
Parasites
Summer is the time of year when pets are most likely to pick up
parasites. Warm weather may encourage them to spend more time outdoors
increasing their exposure to fleas, ticks and biting insects such
as flies and mosquitoes. Even if the cat does not go outside, other
pets such as dogs may bring fleas home to share with their feline
friends. Outdoor activity can also expose cats to intestinal parasites
such as roundworms and tapeworms. Discuss the risk of parasites
with your veterinarian to decide on a prevention and/or treatment plan that is most appropriate
for your cat.
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