Picnics and barbeques are in full swing this time of the year, and we want to make sure your Pet Stays Safe this Summer!
1. Keep Food and Drinks Out of Reach of Your Pets.
Keep food dishes covered, set up a no-pet zone, pet-proof your trash cans, and remind visitors to NOT feed your pets! The most common barbecue-related emergency calls involve pets ingesting:
- Alcohol
- Cigarette butts
- Charcoal briquettes
- Grease drippings, which can lead to pancreatitis
- Onions and garlic, which can cause anemia
- Grapes and raisins which are toxic to dogs in any form
- Bones, which can be a choking hazard or splinter – If your Pet shows any signs of choking—such as pawing at the mouth, having trouble breathing, and salivating heavily—or if you believe they have ingested something toxic, seek immediate emergency care at Metropolitan Veterinary Associates or Blue Pearl in Wyomissing.
- Non-food items such as plastic wrap, aluminum foil, and skewers can also be just as dangerous as toxic foods, potentially causing intestinal blockages or even puncturing your pet’s intestinal tract.
When in doubt, give Pet Poison Helpline a call at (855) 764-7661 to speak to talk to an expert (an $89 CONSULT FEE applies).
2. Keep Your Pet Cool and Hydrated
Even on days that don’t feel really hot to us, dogs can still overheat. To help keep your pet cool, set up a designated shaded area and provide FRESH WATER with ICE CUBES or a Block of Ice to lick, or just keep them indoors in the air conditioning.
Dogs pant to regulate their body temperature and can only cool themselves by panting. And cats do NOT normally pant at all so panting in a cat is a big concern. Heat Exhaustion can come on quickly. Please watch for the following warning signs: Excessive Panting, Fatique, Weakness, Muscle Tremors, Vomiting and Diarrhea.
If you notice any of the above signs, act quickly—move your pet into the shade, offer water, and contact your veterinarian immediately. You may put cool compresses on them, but NEVER put ICE on them.
When heat exhaustion is left untreated, it can quickly escalate to heatstroke, which is a life-threatening condition that can cause organ damage, seizures, coma, or even death. Heatstroke is always a medical emergency. Take your pet to the nearest Emergency Vet!!
3. Outfit Your Pet With Proper Identification
More than 1.7 million pets were lost in 2024—1,219,520 dogs, 346,095 cats, and 142,135 other animals, Of those lost, 63% of lost dogs and 52% of lost cats were successfully recovered. Don’t let your pet become another statistic. Microchip Your Pet with Permanent Identification and make sure your pet’s collar fits properly with an ID tag with your current contact information.
The Vet On Main partners with HomeAgain Pet Recovery www.homeagain.com. A microchip is implanted with a simple injection that is done in seconds. TVOM’s microchips also read your pet’s temperature and include a free One Year Membership. This premium membership also allows you to speak with veterinary professionals 24 hours a day, seven days a week (note for non-members, a single call to this service costs $85). Not to mention the microchip can also be used to apply for a Lifetime Dog License.
So give us a call at 610-575-0920 to schedule an appointment!
