August 2003 - Healthy, Healthy Pets You can't resist buying them high-end toys. You let them dine on haute cuisine. You keep them outfitted in trendy styles and make sure the little angels sleep in the cushiest of beds. You care for them as you would your own children, yet when it comes to maintaining the health of your pets, even the best of intentions can fall short. Whether you're getting ready to take a road trip with Fido or just sitting on your back porch with Fluffy in your lap, remember that being a sensible pet owner is one way to show your pets how much you love them. Protecting against the elements As summer temperatures skyrocket, so does the array of health pitfalls your pet can face during the steamy season in the Lowcountry. Everything from mosquitoes to dehydration can mean a trip to your local vet, but with planning and plenty of TLC, your pet can survive the dangers. The summer months find more and more people planning outdoor activities, and pets are often included. But just as humans take precautions against the sun and heat when venturing out of doors, pets also need to be protected. A common activity for pets and their owners is sharing some time on the area beaches, whether exercising or simply tossing a frisbee. According to Rose Lutz at Plantation Animal Hospital, sand and saltwater can be hazardous to your pets' health. "When they play on the beach, they can get sand in their eyes," Lutz said. If they go swimming, Lutz recommends using an eyewash to keep pets' eyes free of debris and using an ear cleaner to get water and other material out of ears. You don't want to exercise pets during the heat of the day," said Bobbie Helton, president of the Hilton Head Humane Association's board of directors. Early mornings and late evenings are the ideal times to exercise pets, as there is less chance of their overheating during the cooler hours of the day. Fair-skinned or light-haired animals can get sunburned if they're exposed to too much sun. Sunscreen, either the human kind or one designed specifically for animals, can help protect your pet from the sun's rays. Just as you make sure Fido's and Fluffy's water bowl stays full in the house, an outdoor bowl may also need attention. Just having a bowl out for your animals is not enough, said Helton. Since temperatures can climb to 100 degrees easily in the Lowcountry, water that has been sitting out will also heat up, leaving a hot, thirsty animal in distress. Replenish frequently. "With our temperatures, overheating is also a major problem," Helton said. Animals left in cars, even with the air-conditioning on, can face brain damage or even death if they get too hot, she warned. Pest control Just as we have our homes sprayed to keep the palmetto bugs away, pets need help to keep pests such as fleas, ticks, worms and mosquitoes from making their lives miserable. Along with the more common pests, Helton said mosquitoes are becoming more of a danger to pets. Bringing pets in at night is an easy way of keeping them out of harm's way, as mosquitoes tend to be most active during the evening hours. Manufacturers have also begun to include a mosquito deterrent along with the more common flea and tick treatments. Fleas pose a danger beyond just an itchy bite. They are the carriers of heartworms, and just one bite can infect an animal. "The cost of heartworm medication is much less than the price if pets get heartworms," said Lara Batten, director of Miracle Animal Rescue Spay & Neuter Clinic. Of the two methods for heartworm prevention, the six-month injection is sometimes better for pet owners, as the monthly tablet can easily be forgotten. Ask your vet to recommend a program for your pet. Birth control during the hotter months, love is in the air. Fido and Fluffy will take full advantage of those raging hormones, and the results can be more than just a surprise litter of kittens. "The number one health problem for pets is overpopulation," said Batten, adding that on a regional scale, up to 4,000 animals a year are euthanized in Beaufort County alone - a statistic linked to the need for more spaying and neutering. "We have an enormous problem with lack of spay and neuter," Batten said. "To be a responsible guardian, (spay/neuter) is one of the most important things to do." With overpopulation being the problem it is, spaying and neutering is one way to help ease the influx of strays and abandoned animals that find their ways into local shelters. "There are simply too many animals, and not enough homes," agreed Helton. But what about breeding your dog or cat? Should they be allowed to have one litter before undergoing sterilization? According to Batten, the answer is no. "With every single litter (of animals) we allow to be born, animals on death row are put to sleep," she said. Beyond helping with the overpopulation epidemic, spaying and neutering your pet is also one way of maintaining pets' health. Helton said pets are also more likely to stay close to home after having sterilization surgery. "Spaying and neutering keeps them from roaming," she said. For pet owners who state cost as a factor in not getting an animal "fixed," area clinics offer low-cost spay/neuter procedures for families or households whose income levels fall below a certain threshold. The lowcost clinics typically charge from $30 to $65 for the procedure. At the vet's office, costs can run up to $200. Spays tend to be more expensive, as the surgery is more invasive. Veterinary care All pets should visit their vets at least once a year for a head-to-tail checkup and a review of any needed vaccinations. South Carolina law requires animals be vaccinated against rabies every year, and shots for distemper and feline leukemia are also recommended. Keeping your pet in a state of good health also extends into the dental arena. Genetics can be behind bad teeth and tartar build-up, and abnormally bad breath or a loss of interest in food can be indicators of a dental problem. Your vet can evaluate your pets' dental needs and recommend preventative and corrective measures. "It's so important to be responsible," Helton said. "Remember that a member of your family needs care." "There are 58 SIGNS THAT YOUR PET IS SICK: The American Veterinary Medical Association suggests that you consult your veterinarian if your pet shows any of the following signs: o Abnormal discharges from the nose, eyes, or other body openings. o Abnormal behavior, sudden viciousness, or lethargy. o Abnormal lumps, limping, or difficulty getting up or lying down. o Loss of appetite, marked weight losses or gains, or excessive water consumption. o Difficult, abnormal, or uncontrolled waste elimination. o Excessive head shaking, scratching, and licking or biting any part of the body. o Dandruff, loss of hair, open sores, or a ragged or dull coat. o Foul breath or excessive tarter deposits on teeth. Lost and Found Nothing can cause a scare quite like realizing a pet is missing. But the joy you'll feel upon finding it is one reason to make sure your pets can be identified if they are lost. Tags and collars are a good start, but they aren't totally dependable. The American Kennel Association recommends two kinds of identification for pets: either a numeric tattoo, usually found on the inside of an ear, or a newer technology - the microchip. About the size of a grain of rice, the microchip typically is injected between the animal's shoulder blades or under a wing for birds. The procedure is quick, simple and painless. "If a dog is found and is taken to the pound, it can be scanned for the chip," said Rose Lutz, office manager at Plantation Animal Hospital. Bobbi Helton, president of the board of directors for the Hilton Head Humane Association, said the association is required by law to scan every animal that comes into the shelter. When scanned, the chip contains a number that will identify the animal's owner and provide a quicker way to reunite pet and caretaker. The chips are linked to a nationwide network, so pets that may have strayed out of their neck of the woods can still be identified and their owners contacted. Cost for the chip runs from around $25 to $50, a small price to pay for peace of mind. Area Veterinarians Hilton Head Veterinary Clinics 109 Mathews Dr., 681-2890 26 Palmetto Bay Rd., 785-4414 Aimant Animal Hospital 423 Parris Island Gtwy., Beaufort, 525-6655 Animal Care Clinic 4 Fairfield Station, Wild Horse Rd., 681-8882 Animal Medical Center of Hilton Head 8 Fish Haul Rd., 681-5080 Bluffton Veterinary Hospital Hwy. 46, Bluffton, 815-5898 Coastal Veterinary Hospital 21 Buck Island Rd,. Westbury Park, Bluffton, 757-1112 Mobile Petvet 683-6478 Plantation Animal Hospital 105-B Dillon Rd., 681-4586 Riverwalk Animal Hospital Hwy. 170 Okatie, 987-0844