Summertime for Pets

The heat is on and now’s the time to take extra caution with pets. It doesn’t take long for a dog or a cat to become overheated, especially when left in a sweltering car or without access to shade and cool water.

Summertime is prime season for not only fleas and ticks, but also dog bites, a major public health problem for children.

Here are some tips to protect your pets from the heat and yourself and children from dog bites.

Keeping Pets Cool in Summer

Never take a pet in a car if it will be left unattended for any length of time. If bringing the pet along is necessary, park in the shade and frequently check on the animal. On a hot day windows must not be rolled up completely anytime animal is left in a car; the inside of a car can reach 160 degrees in just 10 minutes. Even on cool days, a car’s interior can become too hot for a pet.

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Provide protection from the sun and the access to cool drinking water for pets left outside on warm days.

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Avoid strenuous activity and excitement on warm days.

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When away from home, carry water and give pets small amounts frequently.

Signs of heatstroke

Excessive panting and salivation.

Vomiting

Fast pulse rate

High body temperature

Treating heatstroke in animals

If a pet shows signs of heatstroke, quickly immerse it in cool water or pour cool water over the animal. Ice packs may also be placed on the animal’s head.

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As soon as the animal cools off, take it to the veterinarian.

Fleas and ticks

Hate dealing with fleas and ticks? Well, brace yourself for a bumper crop of them this summer, a result of the El Nino rains. Fleas and ticks love moisture, which means more potential suffering for dogs and cats this summer.

The good news is several new treatments are now available from veterinarians to replace the old flea collars, dips and sprays. There are drops for the skin-one kind that kills fleas and another that kills and ticks--plus a once-a-month pill that prevents flea eggs from hatching, according to Dr. Richard Smollin, a Winnetka veterinarian. Cats that don’t like to take pills can get a shot every six months to protect them against fleas.

By the Numbers

Number of dogs licensed in:

City of Los Angeles: 160,000

Los Angeles County: 300,000

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Estimated actual number of dogs in:

City of Los Angeles: 735,000

Los Angeles County: 2 million

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Number of cats licensed in:

City of Los Angeles: 0 (cats are not licensed in the city)

Los Angeles County: 8,000 (licensing is required in Lomita, Carson, Lynwood and West Hollywood, plus unincorporated areas.)

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Estimated actual number of cats owned in:

City of Los Angeles: 798,000

Los Angeles County: 2 million

Preventing Animal Bites

July and August--when most kids are enjoying summer vacation and people are more likely to let their dogs outside--are the peak months for dog bites, according to the American Humane Assn.

Each year about 20,000 people are bitten by dogs in Los Angeles County, compared with about 4.5 million nationally. Of the 585,000 bites that required medical attention nationally in one year, 64% of the victims were children.

Cats bite nearly 400,000 people nationwide, annually. Boys are more likely to be bitten by dogs; girls are more likely to be bitten by cats.

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What to teach kids

Don’t encourage a dog to chase you when you’re playing.

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After getting permission to pet a dog, slowly offer it the back of your hand to sniff first. Start by stroking the dog’s back; don’t reach toward the dog’s head or bend over it. These actions can be seen as a threat.

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Don’t run and scream around dogs.

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Avoid bothering a dog while it’s sleeping or eating. Don’t take anything from its mouth.

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Don’t stare at a dog’s eyes; the animal perceives it as a threat.

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Don’t turn your back and run away; walk away sideways, slowly.

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If a dog acts up, be firm. Tell the dog “No!” as if you’re the boss.

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If a dog does attack, curl up on the ground and protect your face.

Sources: City of Los Angeles Department of Animal Services, Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control and American Humane Assn., Researched by STEPHANIE STASSEL / Los Angeles Times