Ask a Vet: Summer & Preventative Pet Care

Summer Preparedness Tips

Summer can be a time for outdoor adventures with your pet. As temperatures rise and pests become peskier, it’s also an important time to consider your pet’s preventative care. Here are some helpful tips to keep your pet healthy, happy, and having fun this summer.

• Summer is flea, tick, and heartworm season. Fleas can come in through windows, on other animals, or on your clothes, so be sure to provide flea, tick, and heartworm treatment to all pets — including indoor-only cats.
• Microchipping your pet is the best way to keep pets with their families. The Community Veterinary Hospital offers microchips as part of our preventative care and will scan microchips for free for lost pets.
• Be prepared for hot weather. Take your pets out early in the day when the pavement is still cool, and always pack water for you and your pet. Animals exercising or venturing outside, even for short bursts, are liable to suffer a heat stroke. The Community Veterinary Hospital offers urgent care five days per week, including Sundays, if your pet needs help.
• Wait until your puppy has received all their vaccinations and deworming treatments prior to venturing out on trail to keep them protected against unknown pets and wildlife.

Q&A with Dr. Warnes