EDITOR'S NOTE: This bulletin came to KWTN's `Critters in Paradise Page' from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).
During these dog days of summer, the temperature inside a parked car can climb to well over 100 degrees in just a matter of minutes. Beating the heat is extra tough for dogs be- cause they can only cool themselves by panting and sweating through their paw pads.
Heat stroke can come on quickly and results in brain damage or death. Symptoms? Restlessness, excessive thirst, heavy panting, lethargy, lack of appetite, dark tongue, rapid heartbeat, fever, vomiting, or lack of coordination. If your dog shows any of these symptoms, get your dog to shade immediately and call your veterinarian. Lower body temperature gradually by providing water to drink, applying a cold towel or ice pack to the head, neck and chest, or immersing the dog in tepid (not cold) water.
You can prevent heat stroke by taking these precautions:
• Never leave a dog in a parked car. On a 78-degree day, the temperature inside a shaded car is 90 degrees, while a car parked in the sun can reach 160 degrees in minutes. Animals can succumb to heat stroke in just 15 minutes.
• Don't carry your dog in the bed of a pickup truck. This is always dangerous, but the heat brings the added danger of burning the dog's feet on the hot metal.
• Don't take your dog jogging-- except on cool mornings or evenings-- and don't force exercise. On long walks, rest often and bring plenty of water. Hot pavement can burn dogs' paws; choose shady, grassy routes.
• Trim heavy-coated dogs' fur, but leave an inch for protection against insects and sunburn. Keep an eye on areas where hair is thin, like eyelids, ears and nose.
• Keep your dog indoors. If he must stay outside, avoid the hottest part of the day. Provide shade, water, and a kiddie pool. Keep drinking water in an anchored bucket or heavy bowl.
• Be a watchdog for chained dogs. Make sure they have food, water and shelter. If you see a dog in distress, contact humane authorities. Give the dog immediate relief by providing water.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Gwen Hawtof, local SPCA president who oversees the animal shelters in Key West and Marathon, will be a frequent contributor to this page.
I know you've seen them: dead beside the road or ambling between the bushes at night: Raccoons. They've been in the Keys a long time, adjusting and even benefiting from our presence. We get calls almost daily about raccoons. Unfortunately for the raccoon, it is usually asking about how to get rid of them.
Getting rid of raccoons should be the last thing people attempt. The first thing we should be looking at is how to prevent the raccoons from ever becoming a nuisance in the first place. Raccoons are very clever animals and learn quickly. When we make it easy to get a free meal, the raccoon remembers and even invites a few friends. Here are a few recommendations to keep raccoons at bay:
1. Feed your cats inside. I know-- you don't want to; the cat won't come in; he always eats outside. Number one reason for a raccoon to show up on your porch is Snowball's free lunch she's willing to share. If you absolutely can't/won't feed your cat inside, at least feed Snowball what she'll eat and remove the rest. Don't leave the food out to attract other cats/raccoons.
2. Secure your garbage. Cover your trashcans and secure them if you can so they can't be tipped over by dogs or raccoons. Close those dump- ster lids at work.
3. Vaccinate your dogs and cats against rabies. Raccoons are the number one carriers of rabies in the country. Even though we haven't had a case of rabies in the Keys in several years, we still run the risk of a rabid animal. Vaccinate your animals against a run-in with a too-friendly raccoon.
4. Keep your house and boat in good repair. This is baby season for the raccoons and the mothers-to-be look for good nesting sites, such as a boat stored for the season or an attic easily accessible. Those clever paws are great at unsnapping boat covers or removing screens.
5. Talk to your neighbors about doing the first four things. A frequent scenario is the neighbor who feeds the cats and raccoons, and then leaves town for the season, leaving you holding the bag. not fair-- to either you or the raccoons.
6. Leave the wild animals WILD. Do not feed them; do not try to pet them. Keep them wary of humans because that is their best defense against an early death.
7. Call us at Animal Control LAST. We are obligated by State Law to euthanize the raccoons that prove to be a nuisance. No, we can't relocate them-- that's also prohibited. We will lend you a trap if it is necessary, but please do what you can first to keep that raccoon in its natural habitat.