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COLUMBUS WEATHER FOR PETS
| This Guide is Provided by the Veterinarians of Benning Animal Hospital, LLC |
HEAT STROKE
It gets hot in Columbus, and the humidity makes it worse. Dogs just fine
in Arizona at 100 degrees and 20% humidity will get heat stroke in
Columbus at 80 degrees with 70% humidity. We have a different type of
heat here in Columbus!
While our weather is wonderful for those of us in shorts or at the pool,
our pet friends are essentially wearing heavy fur jackets in the weather.
Particularly young or old animals, or those who don't get to exercise
regularly, need to be careful in the heat. Lack of shade, water, and
ventilation also add to the risk of heat stroke.
Animals with heat stroke will get a high temp, as high as 109 degrees.
Brain damage occurs at 106 degrees. Your pet will most likely have
increased panting, bright red gums, weakness, increased heart rate,
lethargy, stupor, seizures, coma, vomiting, and/or diarrhea can occur.
Heatstroke CAN BE FATAL. Quick treatment is critical to help. In addition, you can "overcool",
which can also be fatal. Place towels soaked in cold water on the animal, place in the shade,
and take them to the nearest vet. They will most likely require IVs and medications to stabilize
their condition.
Avoiding heatstroke is easy! Allow animals that remain outside for short periods of time only.
Don't leave them inside your cars (it's against the law in Columbus during the summer.) If
an animal must be outside for long periods of time, assure that there is adequate shade
and water available. Avoid intense exercise during the hottest part of the day. And don't "play"
with them for long time periods. 10 minutes or less is normally enough during Columbus's hot
days with high humidity. And most importantly, monitor animals frequently if they are outside
for long periods of time..
It gets hot in Columbus, and the humidity makes it worse. Dogs just fine
in Arizona at 100 degrees and 20% humidity will get heat stroke in
Columbus at 80 degrees with 70% humidity. We have a different type of
heat here in Columbus!
While our weather is wonderful for those of us in shorts or at the pool,
our pet friends are essentially wearing heavy fur jackets in the weather.
Particularly young or old animals, or those who don't get to exercise
regularly, need to be careful in the heat. Lack of shade, water, and
ventilation also add to the risk of heat stroke.
Animals with heat stroke will get a high temp, as high as 109 degrees.
Brain damage occurs at 106 degrees. Your pet will most likely have
increased panting, bright red gums, weakness, increased heart rate,
lethargy, stupor, seizures, coma, vomiting, and/or diarrhea can occur.
Heatstroke CAN BE FATAL. Quick treatment is critical to help. In addition, you can "overcool",
which can also be fatal. Place towels soaked in cold water on the animal, place in the shade,
and take them to the nearest vet. They will most likely require IVs and medications to stabilize
their condition.
Avoiding heatstroke is easy! Allow animals that remain outside for short periods of time only.
Don't leave them inside your cars (it's against the law in Columbus during the summer.) If
an animal must be outside for long periods of time, assure that there is adequate shade
and water available. Avoid intense exercise during the hottest part of the day. And don't "play"
with them for long time periods. 10 minutes or less is normally enough during Columbus's hot
days with high humidity. And most importantly, monitor animals frequently if they are outside
for long periods of time..
WINTER
While Columbus has a much milder winter than other areas, it still gets cold enough for our
pets. For outside animals, make sure they have a dry, covered shelter, protected from wind,
with clean bedding. Check on the bedding to be sure that they are dry, and change if it
becomes soiled or wet.
Water bowls can freeze over, so ensure that their water supply is accessible.
Talk to you vet about increasing their food during winter, as animals require more food to
keep warm and sustain their energy during winter months.
KEEP ANTIFREEZE SECURE and away from animals. Even a small amount can kill your
pets. It is an extremely potent poison that Vets have limited success treating.
Bathe animals indoors when possible, and ensure they are completely dry.
If your pets are indoor pets, don't put them outside for too long, they are not conditioned to
it, and it can cause issues with exposure.
Cats love warm objects in winter, and may curl up under or near your car engine, please
check it before starting your car.
WHAT IS EXPOSURE? IT'S ALSO CALLED HYPOTHERMIA
Hypothermia, low body temperature, occurs when an animal is not able to keep her body
temperature from falling below normal. When animals spend too much time in cold
temperatures, or when animals with poor health or circulation are exposed to cold. Normally
puppies and older dogs are the first to experience this. In mild cases, animals will shiver
and show signs of depression, lethargy, and weakness. As the condition progresses, an
animal's muscles will stiffen, their heart and breathing rates will slow down, and they will
stop responding to stimuli.
If any of these symptoms occur, you should see your Vet immediately. Wrap your pet in
warm blankets or clothing and take them to the vet. Your vet can give warm fluids through
IVs, has heated containers, and can monitor temperature and other vitals.
FROSTBITE It is extremely rare in Columbus.
The symptoms are not immediately obvious, but if you see tissue damage on your pet's
ears, paws, or tail, bring them to your vet immediately.
While Columbus has a much milder winter than other areas, it still gets cold enough for our
pets. For outside animals, make sure they have a dry, covered shelter, protected from wind,
with clean bedding. Check on the bedding to be sure that they are dry, and change if it
becomes soiled or wet.
Water bowls can freeze over, so ensure that their water supply is accessible.
Talk to you vet about increasing their food during winter, as animals require more food to
keep warm and sustain their energy during winter months.
KEEP ANTIFREEZE SECURE and away from animals. Even a small amount can kill your
pets. It is an extremely potent poison that Vets have limited success treating.
Bathe animals indoors when possible, and ensure they are completely dry.
If your pets are indoor pets, don't put them outside for too long, they are not conditioned to
it, and it can cause issues with exposure.
Cats love warm objects in winter, and may curl up under or near your car engine, please
check it before starting your car.
WHAT IS EXPOSURE? IT'S ALSO CALLED HYPOTHERMIA
Hypothermia, low body temperature, occurs when an animal is not able to keep her body
temperature from falling below normal. When animals spend too much time in cold
temperatures, or when animals with poor health or circulation are exposed to cold. Normally
puppies and older dogs are the first to experience this. In mild cases, animals will shiver
and show signs of depression, lethargy, and weakness. As the condition progresses, an
animal's muscles will stiffen, their heart and breathing rates will slow down, and they will
stop responding to stimuli.
If any of these symptoms occur, you should see your Vet immediately. Wrap your pet in
warm blankets or clothing and take them to the vet. Your vet can give warm fluids through
IVs, has heated containers, and can monitor temperature and other vitals.
FROSTBITE It is extremely rare in Columbus.
The symptoms are not immediately obvious, but if you see tissue damage on your pet's
ears, paws, or tail, bring them to your vet immediately.
Sunburn
Columbus does get some sun, whether at Riverwalk or FlatRock park, you have to watch your
pets, who don't get SPF 30 lotion for them.
Short haired, shaved, or thin-coated pets may be prone to sunburn if they are allowed to stay
outside without shelter from the sun.
Sunburn on animals is the same as on humans, including red skin, blisters, and possible
infection.
Try to ensure your pets have shade when outside for long time periods, and if they have
sunburns, your vet has special medications to help heal their skin.
Fleas and Ticks
Columbus has Fleas and Ticks. (YAY!) Flea infestation can result in signs ranging from mild
irritation to severe skin allergy and hair loss. Fleas are also able to transmit diseases. See
your vet for more information.
The most common ticks are "Brown Dog Ticks", "Gulf Coast Tick", "Black Leg Ticks", Ticks can
transmit diseases such as Ehrlichia, Lyme Disease, Babesia,and Rocky Mountain Spotted
Fever. They are often difficult to remove, however your vet has several preventative
treatments to kill or prevent ticks.
Fly Strike
We have big flies in Columbus. Yes it is true!
These pests will often bite at the
ears of animals and cause small crusty sores on the ear tips. Use a fly ointment to protect your
pets if they have trouble with flies. Treating fly strike wounds involves gently
cleaning the sores and applying a triple antibiotic ointment. Fly strike wounds may mimic other
diseases including skin cancer and autoimmune diseases, thus, consultation with a veterinarian
is recommended if conservative treatment does not result in the resolution of signs.
Columbus does get some sun, whether at Riverwalk or FlatRock park, you have to watch your
pets, who don't get SPF 30 lotion for them.
Short haired, shaved, or thin-coated pets may be prone to sunburn if they are allowed to stay
outside without shelter from the sun.
Sunburn on animals is the same as on humans, including red skin, blisters, and possible
infection.
Try to ensure your pets have shade when outside for long time periods, and if they have
sunburns, your vet has special medications to help heal their skin.
Fleas and Ticks
Columbus has Fleas and Ticks. (YAY!) Flea infestation can result in signs ranging from mild
irritation to severe skin allergy and hair loss. Fleas are also able to transmit diseases. See
your vet for more information.
The most common ticks are "Brown Dog Ticks", "Gulf Coast Tick", "Black Leg Ticks", Ticks can
transmit diseases such as Ehrlichia, Lyme Disease, Babesia,and Rocky Mountain Spotted
Fever. They are often difficult to remove, however your vet has several preventative
treatments to kill or prevent ticks.
Fly Strike
We have big flies in Columbus. Yes it is true!
These pests will often bite at the
ears of animals and cause small crusty sores on the ear tips. Use a fly ointment to protect your
pets if they have trouble with flies. Treating fly strike wounds involves gently
cleaning the sores and applying a triple antibiotic ointment. Fly strike wounds may mimic other
diseases including skin cancer and autoimmune diseases, thus, consultation with a veterinarian
is recommended if conservative treatment does not result in the resolution of signs.
Storm Phobia
Columbus has *real* storms. Friends from California have remarked "This is real rain,
'Movie Rain', I haven't seen anything like it..." And these storms, while they help with
drought issues, can cause problems for pets.
Many pets, especially dogs, react to storms. They may in some cases have a severe
reaction, including cardiac arrest and death.Storm Phobia is not just from Thunder, but can
include other sounds (wind, rain), darkness, changes in light intensity, barometric pressure
changes, ozone changes and changes in human behavior. Any of these can lead to panic
and must be treated. Most Vets treat this as a serious issue, and DVM News Magazine has
a full report on it here --STORM PHOBIA
Your Veterinarian may prescribe a sedative such as Alprazolam, Acepromizine, or a similar
drug to help keep your pet calm during these storm events. Cats are actually lucky, in that
they seem to respond better to these drugs if storm phobic than dogs.
At a minimum, Keep your pet in a safe, quiet place, and be aware that diahrhea, panic
urination, and other behavior, while unpleasant, cannot be controlled by the animals and
they should not be scolded or corrected during this time period. Please take your pet to
your local vet as soon as you can.
Columbus has *real* storms. Friends from California have remarked "This is real rain,
'Movie Rain', I haven't seen anything like it..." And these storms, while they help with
drought issues, can cause problems for pets.
Many pets, especially dogs, react to storms. They may in some cases have a severe
reaction, including cardiac arrest and death.Storm Phobia is not just from Thunder, but can
include other sounds (wind, rain), darkness, changes in light intensity, barometric pressure
changes, ozone changes and changes in human behavior. Any of these can lead to panic
and must be treated. Most Vets treat this as a serious issue, and DVM News Magazine has
a full report on it here --STORM PHOBIA
Your Veterinarian may prescribe a sedative such as Alprazolam, Acepromizine, or a similar
drug to help keep your pet calm during these storm events. Cats are actually lucky, in that
they seem to respond better to these drugs if storm phobic than dogs.
At a minimum, Keep your pet in a safe, quiet place, and be aware that diahrhea, panic
urination, and other behavior, while unpleasant, cannot be controlled by the animals and
they should not be scolded or corrected during this time period. Please take your pet to
your local vet as soon as you can.
Hail
Occasionally, Columbus will have hail with storms. It is recommended that any pets that you
have that are outdoor pets have a place of shelter with a strong roof. If not, please take them
indoors or to an appropriate shelter. Also note that they should have dry bedding, as the hail
can lead to further exposure complications. Just imagine if you are wet, surrounded by ice
chunks, in the middle of a storm. A secure dry place is ideal for the outdoor pet.
Occasionally, Columbus will have hail with storms. It is recommended that any pets that you
have that are outdoor pets have a place of shelter with a strong roof. If not, please take them
indoors or to an appropriate shelter. Also note that they should have dry bedding, as the hail
can lead to further exposure complications. Just imagine if you are wet, surrounded by ice
chunks, in the middle of a storm. A secure dry place is ideal for the outdoor pet.
Columbus, GA climate ranges from hot summers, averaging 80 degrees in May to 90 degrees
in July. For pets this means you have to be on the lookout for HEATSTROKE from April -
October.
Columbus also enjoys cold weather (which is great for killing bugs off, like mosquitos and
wasps), averaging 36 degrees in January, our coldest month. Temperatures in winter
normally stay within 20 degrees of the average. Because of this cold weather, pets must also
look out for EXPOSURE
Lastly, Columbus does have strong thunderstorms, hail, and the occasional tornado watch.
There are many things to watch out for with your pets during STRONG STORMS.
in July. For pets this means you have to be on the lookout for HEATSTROKE from April -
October.
Columbus also enjoys cold weather (which is great for killing bugs off, like mosquitos and
wasps), averaging 36 degrees in January, our coldest month. Temperatures in winter
normally stay within 20 degrees of the average. Because of this cold weather, pets must also
look out for EXPOSURE
Lastly, Columbus does have strong thunderstorms, hail, and the occasional tornado watch.
There are many things to watch out for with your pets during STRONG STORMS.
This information is provided for educational purposes only, please see a licensed professional, such as a Veterinarian to find
out more about these topics. Copyright 2008 Benning Animal Hospital, LLC, all rights reserved. Some Images used with
GFDL-GNU License or by permission of www.stockphotos.com.
out more about these topics. Copyright 2008 Benning Animal Hospital, LLC, all rights reserved. Some Images used with
GFDL-GNU License or by permission of www.stockphotos.com.
| Call us at (706) -689-6240 www.benninganimalhospital.com |