Life dog days of summer keeping your pup safe The Dog Days of Summer, also known as canicular days, typically extend from July 24 through Aug. 24 in most of the Northern Ancient Greeks and Romans were the first ones to use “dog days” to describe the hotter months of the year. They use the position of the star Sirius in the highest point of the sky during the summers, and the Sirius star was commonly known as the Dog Star. Unfortunately for dogs, ancient people believed they needed to sacrifice a dog to appease Sirius or else they would have a hot and dry summer. Egyptians also watched the Dog Star, but they made the association with the flooding of the Nile and the presence of Sirius. In the mid-1800s, the dog days of summer were associated with widespread dog madness, most likely an increase of rabid dogs because of the abundant wildlife. At our practice, we see a lot of heat-related problems all the way until September end. With a little planning, you can enjoy a safe late summer! Meet the Doctor I would like for all my pet-owner readers to follow these five safety rules: 1. Never leave your dog unattended in the backyard for long periods of time. Make sure there is plenty of shade available and a sturdy water bowl at all times. Not only heatstroke but wildlife encounters are also a big summer issue we need to be vigilant about. 2. Do your hurricane preparation now! Figure out what to do with your pets in case of an emergency. Invest in a microchip for your pet, it may save his/her life and help you reunite in the case of separation during a hurricane. 3. Make sure your pet’s vaccinations are current (including the Flu shot) if you are planning on visiting dog parks and kennels. 4. Stock up on first aid supplies, including Benadryl for insect bites and hydrocortisone sprays for hot spots and rashes. 5. Visit your veterinarian for a healthy pet checkup prior to engaging your pet in any strenuous exercise program. Mitsie Vargas, DVM, CVA is an assistant acupuncture teacher at the Chi Institute and a consultant with Disney Animal Kingdom. You can reach her at drv@osahvets.com, @osahvets on Twitter or her Facebook page. Orchid Springs Animal mal Hospital 615 Overlook Drive Winter Haven 863.324.6964 osahvets.com Hemisphere. 26 WomanToWomanMagazine.com
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