First Aid
A Summer Hazard: Heatstroke in Dogs
This article offers good advice, including ten rules for dogs in hot weather. read more >
Summer Care for Canines
Did you know that a common cause of sunburn for dogs is the sun reflecting up from the sidewalk to a dogs underbelly?
Protect Your Pets From Sunburn
Ah, the sunny days of summer are here--time for dogs to take long walks and play Frisbee at the park or beach and for cats to sunbathe on the windowsill. Before stepping out to enjoy the summer weather, you should protect your pet as well as yourself from the harmful effects of too much sun.
Sunlight is healthy for pets as it is for people; sunlight helps the skin produce vitamin D, which protects the skin and helps balance the body's calcium levels and metabolism. However, too much of anything can be harmful, and too much ultraviolet (UV) radiation can cause sunburn, or solar dermatitis, in cats and dogs.
According to Dr. Karen Campbell, veterinary dermatologist at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Urbana, sunburn starts as redness and hair loss on the ear tips, bridge of the nose, or abdomen and can lead to skin ulceration, infection, and carcinoma. Excessive sun exposure can also exacerbate existing skin problems. Read more >
Winter Care for Canines
General Concerns and Health Tips from the American Kennel Club
Winter's cold air brings many concerns for responsible dog owners. Keep the following precautions in mind:
Don't leave your dog outside in the cold for long periods of time. Wind chill makes days colder than actual temperature readings. Be attentive to your dog's body temperature, and limit its time outdoors. Read more >
Remedies for Insect Stings and Bites, Hot Spots and other Skin Conditions
by Robin Tierney
Contents include; insect stings and bites, remedies for various skin ailments, immunity, dietary apporaches for healthy skin, and related webpages.
First Aid Tips for Pet Owners
from the American Veterinary Medical Association
Includes first aid supplies, how to handle an injured pet, basic first aid procedures, first aid when traveling with your pet, and pets and disasters. This page also comes with other valuable links. Visit the tips page >
