Summer is almost here, and that means more outside time with your animals! Of course, more outside time means more accidents can happen, and it’s important to be ready for it!
When things go wrong after hours, it’s good to know where to go. Animal Medical Center of Wyoming is here when you and your pet need us most. When accidents happen, please call us immediately at 307-682-1507.
Our hospital is well equipped to handle even the most urgent medical, diagnostic, or surgical care needs. Our caring and compassionate staff is trained for urgent situations and our state-of-the-art clinic gives us the tools we need to diagnose and treat your pet quickly when every second matters.
Critical care services are available at any time while the clinic is open. We also have a doctor on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to handle any emergency situations that may occur outside of our normal office hours.
Here are three things to be mindful of during the upcoming summer months:
Car accidents
When pets spend more time outside, they have more opportunities to escape. Running free and roaming the streets may feel like an adventure, but it puts them at great risk of being lost, getting into a fight, or getting hit by a car. The blunt trauma of getting hit by a car can cause a number of injuries, including:
- Abrasions and loss of skin
- Broken bones
- Organ damage
- Head trauma
- Internal injuries and blood loss
Take steps to prevent your pup from escaping. Ensure the gates of your yard are securely closed to keep your dog safely confined, and keep your pet inside during outdoor gatherings when guests will be coming and going. When taking part in outdoor activities, like camping or hiking, keep your dog on a leash.
Heat stroke
With few sweat glands, dogs and cats are unable to adequately cool themselves when left in the heat, and their body temperature can quickly rise to dangerous levels. A pet suffering from heat stroke requires immediate veterinary attention, so it’s important that you can recognize the signs of an overheated pet:
- Excessive panting
- Sticky or dry tongue or gums
- Stumbling while trying to walk
- Seizures
- Body temperature over 103 degrees
- Unresponsiveness
To prevent heat stroke, never leave your pet inside your car, and don’t leave her outdoors unsupervised for more than 10 minutes on a hot day. While outside, ensure she has a shady area to escape the direct sunlight, and always provide fresh, cool water.
Snake bites
Snakes like to sun themselves on trails, but they’ll also hide in fallen timber, pine straw, and brush. When dogs sniff through these areas, they are at risk of getting bitten on the face, neck, or front legs. If you notice any of the following snake bite signs, take your pet to a veterinarian immediately:
- Puncture marks
- Bruising or swelling
- Dizziness
- Weakness
- Nausea
- Rapid breathing
- Muscle tremors
Even if your pet is bitten by a non-venomous snake, the wound can become infected, so all snake bites should receive prompt medical attention.
Preparation is key to keeping your pet safe during the summer. Keep our phone number and the phone numbers of nearby emergency veterinary hospitals accessible at all times.
