Carleton Veterinary Services

Things are really heating up out there … and we’re all feeling it!☀️🔥 Our team has put together some tips for pet parents to keep in mind during this Summer heatwave.

☀️ Allow access to fresh, cool water and shade at all times!
☀️ Minimize time spent outdoors and avoid peak heat times. Walk early in the morning or late in the evening, keeping bathroom breaks short.
☀️ Pavement and sidewalks are HOT! Rule of Paw: If it’s hot to touch for your hand, it’s too hot for their paws.
☀️ Do NOT leave your pet in a hot car EVER! Temperatures can rise 10 degrees higher in cars than it is outdoors. When in doubt, don’t take them out! Leave them at home where it’s cool and safe.
☀️ Know the signs of heatstroke, and act quickly. It could save your pet’s life!

It’s also important to note that Pugs, Bulldogs, Boston Terriers, Persian cats and other Brachycephalic/flat-faced breeds are more prone to overheating, alongside Puppies, Senior Pets, Obese Pets, and those with Long Thick Fur!🥵

Signs of Heatstroke can include:
🌡️ Excessive panting
🌡️ Reddened gums
🌡️ Fast heart rate
🌡️ Dehydration
🌡️ Thickened Saliva / Drool
🌡️ Vomiting
🌡️ Diarrhea
🌡️ Disorientation/ Stumbling
🌡️ Weakness/ Collapse
🌡️ Seizures

If your pet is exhibiting any signs of heatstroke listed above, move them to a shaded, cool or air conditioned area immediately. Offer cool water and place a fan in front of them. It’s important to not cool your pet down too rapidly as this can shock their system further. Seek emergency veterinary care immediately!

Wishing our clients and patients a safe and cool Summer! Please reach out to our team with any questions!🐾🩺

☎️: 613-489-2525
📧: [email protected]
📱:
🛒: myvetstore.ca/carletonveterinaryservices
⏰: 8:00am - 6:00pm, Monday - Friday
(Closed for Lunch from 12:15pm - 12:45pm)

It’s Tick Tuesday and the ticks are out in full force — Is Your Pet Protected?

Let’s Take This Opportunity to Review: Tick Borne Diseases!🩺

Ticks in our area unfortunately carry more diseases than just the big L …. Lyme Disease. Anaplasmosis and Ehrlichiosis are additional diseases that ticks transmit and can pose severe risks to your pet’s health. Let’s recap what these diseases are, and review the signs and symptoms to familiarize yourself with incase your pet begins to experience them.

🦠 Lyme Disease:
* Transmitted to our pet’s through the bite of Black-legged Ticks or Deer Ticks that have been infected by Borrelia Burgdorferi bacteria.
Symptoms Include:
➡️ Shifting Lameness
➡️ Loss of Appetite
➡️ Lethargy / Reluctant to Move
➡️ Depression

🦠 Anaplasma / Anaplasmosis:
* Transmitted by Deer Ticks, Black-legged Tick and Brown Dog Ticks that have been infected by Anaplasmosis species of bacteria.
Symptoms Include:
➡️ Lethargy
➡️ Lameness
➡️ Appetite Loss
➡️ Stiffness
➡️ Neurological Abnormalities

🦠 Ehrlichia / Ehrlichiosis:
* Ehrlichia ewingii and chaffeensis (species of bacteria) are transmitted to our pets through the bite of infected Lonestar Ticks. Ehrlichia canis (an additional special of bacteria) is transmitted to our pets by infected Brown Dog Ticks.
Symptoms Include:
➡️ Appetite Loss
➡️ Lack of Energy
➡️ Bruising on Gums & Belly
➡️ Joint Pain and Lameness
➡️ Spontaneous Nose Bleeding
➡️ Runny Eyes +/- Nose Discharge

If you find a tick attached to your pet or engorged, carefully remove it using a tick twister and drown it in isopropyl alcohol. Once removed, schedule a Snap4Dx blood test that screens for each of the diseases listed above, 10-12 weeks from the date you found the tick. Continue monitoring for any of the symptoms listed above, and if they present contact your veterinary team to schedule an appointment.

We are seeing numerous positive SNAP4DX blood tests in the clinic this year. Keep those pets protected and on their preventatives!🐾

Contact our team for more information or clarification - we’re here to help!🥼🩺