A Pet Parent's Guide to Summer Safety Part 2: Summer Emergencies

Summer is supposed to be the most fun part of the year. People go on vacation, kids are finished with school. Camping and and RVing is a huge pastime here in BC.

The beach. BBQs. Patios. Ice cream.

The reality for pets is hotter, louder, and more unpredictable than any other stretch of the year. The veterinary emergency room sees its highest volume of visits from June through August.

Read Part 1: Summer Heat and Fireworks

We will share 9 summer pet emergencies pet parents may face between Victoria Day and Labour Day.

2 Samoyeds running on a beach.

Heatstroke

Signs: extreme panting, drooling, red or pale gums, lethargy, vomiting, collapse, rectal temperature over 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celcius).

First five minutes:

• Move your pet to a cool, shaded area immediately

• Wet them with cool (not cold) water, focus on belly, paws, and armpits

• Use a fan to move air across the wet fur

• Offer small sips of water if they can drink, too much water too quickly at once can harm them in this state

• Get to the closest Emergency Vet or Pet Hospital as soon as possible for follow up treatment, do not wait to see if they recover

  
  

Do not use ice or freezing cold water or submerge them! Cooling too fast can send them into shock. Cooler temperatures and airflow are the goal.

Toxic Ingestion

Summer favourites that are dangerous for our pets:

• chocolate

• grapes

• raisins

• onions

• garlic

• xylitol (in gum and sugar-free items, also called 'wood sugar', 'birch sugar', or 'birch bark extract')

• alcohol

• marijuana edibles

• corn cobs

• fatty BBQ scraps

• raw meat marinades

• lilies (for cats)

First five minutes:

• Call your vet immediately or call the Pet Poison Helpline 1-855-864-7661

• Determine what was eaten, how much, and when

• Bring the packaging to the vet if you can

• Do not induce vomiting unless directed by a veterinarian

  
  

Foreign Body Ingestion

Common summer items like corn cobs, skewers, peach pits, BBQ foil, kabob sticks, bones, and toys all top the summer pet emergency list.

First five minutes:

• Do not try to pull anything out of the throat with your fingers

• If your pet is conscious and breathing, go to the closest Emergency Vet or Pet Hospital immediately

• If your pet is choking and unconscious, look in the mouth and use a finger sweep only if you can see the object

• For dogs and cats, a modified Heimlich (cupped hands behind the ribs, quick upward thrust) can be done

Watch this short video for a quick demonstration. The technique is different depending on the size of your pet. https://youtu.be/zF03-WoC8uo?si=JWfk48kcw_P1TNNC

Burns

Grills, fire pits, sparklers, hot pavement, and citronella candles can all pose a danger and injure a pet.

First five minutes:

• Run cool water (NOT cold water) over the burn for 10 to 15 minutes

• Do NOT apply ice, butter, or ointments

• Cover loosely with a damp clean cloth

• Get to the vet for any burn larger than a quarter or any burn involving the face, paws, or mouth

Stings, Bites, and Wildlife

Bees, wasps, snakes, and frogs all make summer cameos. Like humans, pets can have a severe allergic reaction or may encounter something venomous while exploring.

First five minutes:

• For bee stings, scrape the stinger out with a credit card, do not pinch it

• Watch for swelling of the face, neck, or throat (this is an emergency)

• For snake bites, do not apply a tourniquet and do not try to suck out venom

• Keep your pet calm and still, get to the closest Emergency Vet or Pet Hospital immediately

• Take a photo of the snake or insect to show the Vet if you can safely

Drowning and Near-Drowning

Even strong swimmers can drown. Pool covers, lakes, and river or ocean currents all pose risks. Cats and brachycephalic breeds are at a higher risk for drowning.

First five minutes:

• Pull your pet from the water and tilt their head down to drain water from the lungs

• Check for breathing and a heartbeat

• Perform CPR if needed (chest compressions on the widest part of the rib cage)

Pet CPR demonstration: https://youtu.be/SrutEwaiP68?si=S1mVh7GhXRHN9m2Y

Even if your pet seems fine after, get to the closest Emergency Vet or Pet Hospital immediately for follow-up treatment.

Bloat

Bloat is a very serious medical emergency, also called Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus. Most common in large, deep-chested breeds (great danes, weimaraners, standard poodles, German shepherds). Bloat is a true emergency that can kill within hours.

Signs:

• Distended, hard belly (goes from normal to distended quickly)

• Trying to vomit with nothing coming up

• Restlessness, pacing

• Severe drooling

• Pale gums, weakness

• Collapse

  
  

Go to the closest Emergency Vet or Pet Hospital immediately. Do not wait, do not call ahead and wait for a call back, just act right away. If caught early enough the dog can make a full recovery, however in extreme cases, preventative surgery may be recommended.

Hit by a Car

Pets who escape during fireworks, a big storm, or while travelling often end up in neighbourhoods and on roads they do not know.

If your pet is hit:

• Address any wounds or bleeding with a clean cloth or bandage

• Try to pick them up carefully and place them onto something hard and flat to carry them to the car, to avoid spinal injury

• Wrap them gently in a blanket or jacket to keep them warm and contained (this helps with Shock)

• Get to the nearest Emergency Vet or Pet Hospital even if they "seem fine," internal bleeding can hide for hours and be fatal

Lost pets

Many scenarios can lead to a lost pet during the summer:

• When you are away and your pets are being cared for by someone unfamiliar or inattentive

• If you leave the door open for guests to your pool party or BBQ, or to just cool down your home

• Open windows with screens that are torn

• Fireworks, loud parties or music, or the local Abbotsford International Airshow noise can all cause a pet to become scared and bolt

• Travelling with your pet and stopping for a break or to sightsee with your pet unsecured in the vehicle

For cats, do a very thorough and immediate ground search of any nook and cranny in your yard and your neighbour's yards. Inside only cats tend to stay close, but will be too scared to come out when called. Use a flashlight to spot eyes and ear shapes under the deck, shed, or stairs.

For dogs, do a ground search and if possible bring their canine friends with you. If they are scared they may hide and not respond to their name. Check wooded areas, parks, and if you can, drive around the area to see if you can spot them. Dogs can run fast and far if they are scared.

If you can't locate your pet quickly spread the word:

• Create a poster to put up and share with your immediate neighbours so they can help.

• Get on Social Media and post on the local lost pet Facebook groups, Pawboost, and Nextdoor so other people can help with the search.

Register them asap:

• Ensure their microchip is registered and has your current and up-to-date contact info.

• Register them on the BC Pet Registry, if you have not already done so.

• Let your Vet know they are missing.

For more tips, links and support visit our Pet Parent Resource Page all about lost and found pets here: https://www.furryornotpetcare.ca/forpetparents/lostorfoundpets

Leave a comment if you have a recommendation we missed or have a story to share about a summer emergency with your pet.

For more helpful pet parent information check out our local listings and resources:

Local veterinarians in Abbotsford and Mission and emergency numbers (just in case) -https://www.furryornotpetcare.ca/forpetparents/veterinariansinabbotsfordandmission