August may be the beginning of the end of the summer season, but you can bet that the high temperatures aren’t planning on taking a vacation anytime soon. While some may use the heat as an excuse to stay inside, others choose to venture outside and bring their furry companions with them. There is nothing wrong with going on adventures with your pets, but if you’re planning on going out into the heat, it’s important that you take your pet’s well-being into consideration. That’s why, in today’s post, we will give you a few tips on how to avoid heat stroke in your pet this summer so you two can stay safe while you have fun in the sun.

As a responsible pet owner, you know the importance of taking your dog or cat to the vet for regular checkups, but what if we told you that your visits to the vet could be conducted in your home? At 911 Vets in Los Angeles, we offer mobile veterinary services where we bring all of the services of traditional vet clinic right to your door. Gone are hassles of trying to bring your nervous animal to the vet. Instead, 911 Vets will come right to your home whenever you need. Check out our website to see a complete list of everything that we offer, and contact 911 Vets at 310-341-0216 to request an appointment today!

How Is Heat Stroke Defined in Pets?

You may have heard of heat stroke in humans, but did you know this life-threatening condition affects pets as well? If your dog or cat is suffering from heat stroke, it means that their body temperature has elevated to a dangerous degree. It’s important to monitor your pets if they are exposed to high temperatures for long periods of time. A few symptoms you should look for include:

• Weakness
• Body temperature above 103° Fahrenheit
• Excessive panting or drooling
• Loss of coordination
• Seizures
• Vomiting
• Bluish grey or bright red gums
• Collapse and loss of consciousness

If your pet starts to exhibit any of these signs, it’s vitally important that you call a vet right away and begin the process of trying to cool your pet. You want to gradually bring their temperature down with cool towels in a shady spot. You never want to use cold towels when lowering their temperature because the cold could be a shock to their system. While the cooling procedures may help save your pet, it’s necessary that they are seen and treated by a vet as soon as possible.

Tips for Keeping Your Pet Cool

While it’s important that you keep the dangers of heat stroke in mind, you shouldn’t be terrified of your pet getting heat stroke everytime you go outside. There are plenty of ways that you can enjoy the outdoors with your pet while staying safe and cool. If you do plan to go outside with your pet, try to avoid a lot of physical activity during the hottest parts of the day. Plan your outings for the early morning and evening when the temperatures are mild.

Additionally, make sure that your pet has plenty of water and shade when you go outside. Bring along a water bottle and a collapsible water dish so that you can provide your pet with water on the go. If you really want to plan a fun, cool outing, try going to the beach! Your pet will love splashing around in the water, and you won’t have to worry about them getting too hot. Not to mention, you’ll be able to cool off as well. For those who don’t have easy access to a day at the beach, you can invest in a kiddie pool or even hook up a sprinkler for your pet to enjoy!

Planning activities outside is fun, but it may not be something you do every day. Even if you aren’t going on a long walk, hike, or on a trip to the park, it’s still important that you do everything you can to ensure that your dog doesn’t get too hot. Simple tasks like brushing your pet or keep the fan on for air circulation will help cool off your pet and reduce the risk of heat stroke.

Schedule an Appointment Right in Your Home

If you’re not careful, the summer heat can be a dangerous time for your pet. Luckily 911 Vets is here to help. With our mobile veterinary services, we offer everything that you would find at a traditional vet right in your home! Whether you’re in need of an emergency vet clinic or a routine checkup, the experts at 911 Vets have you covered. Give us a call today to schedule an appointment.

We look forward to working with you and your pet soon!

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Being a pet owner comes with many benefits, the main benefit being that you have a furry companion who loves you unconditionally. However, some owners take their pets for granted, using them as a status symbol or for unlimited cute pictures. Being a pet owner comes with many responsibilities, and it’s heartbreaking when the basic needs of a pet are left unfulfilled. In today’s post, we will discuss a few tips for being a responsible pet owner in hopes that you will be able to give your pet the love and support that he or she needs.

At 911 Vets in Los Angeles, we are dedicated to the care and wellbeing of your pet. Providing your pet with veterinary care is a large part of being a responsible pet owner. We understand that sometimes it can be difficult to get your pet to the vet, which is why we offer a mobile vet clinic! Our clinic provides you with all the services of a traditional veterinary clinic, in the comfort of your own home! Whether you’re in need of an emergency vet or you just need a routine checkup, 911 Vets is the 24-hour mobile vet for you! Browse our website to learn more about our services, and contact us at 310-341-0216 to schedule an appointment today!

AVOID IMPULSIVE DECISIONS

Adopting a pet is a big responsibility, and not everyone has the time or financial means to have a pet. It’s hard to resist those adorable puppy eyes or tiny kitten purrs, but it’s important to think of the welfare of the pet before you commit to getting a pet. Adding a new furry friend to your home should never be an impulsive decision, as there is a good chance you could regret it at a later time.

Before you adopt a pet, it’s important that you first do your research and consider your current lifestyle. Different pets have different needs, and as a pet owner, you need to be sure that you can accommodate those needs given your lifestyle. For example, dogs need a lot of attention, and they need to be walked and let outside multiple times throughout the day. That being said, if you really want a dog but you’re never home, it wouldn’t be fair to the dog to leave him or her at home at all times or in the care of someone else.

INVESTMENT

Caring for an animal is an investment in both your time and your money. Smaller animals will require that you take the time to clean their cage every week, while larger animals will require time spent playing, going on walks, and grooming. As we mentioned above, it’s important that you do your research and see what sort of time commitment is required for your desired pet. If it becomes clear to you that it will be difficult to devote the necessary time to your pet, you may want to consider choosing a different kind of pet, or changing your lifestyle or schedule to accommodate his or her needs.

In addition to time, adopting a pet is also an investment in money. Pets need toys, beds, food, veterinary care, and more! Some shelters will give you a rough estimate of what the cost of your animal may be, and some may not let you adopt a pet if the cost is not something you can afford. Ask other pet owners what they spend in a month on their pet, and be sure to keep in mind any extra expenses that may occur, such as emergency vet visits.

FILL EMOTIONAL NEEDS

While some pets require that you fill their most basic needs, most pets require more than just a full bowl of food and water and a roof over his or her head. Every pet requires that their owner fill some sort of emotional need, whether that be playing for at least 15 minutes every day or cuddling on the couch before bed. Emotional needs could be anything from curiosity to boredom. It’s your job as a pet owner to recognize the emotional needs of your pet and fulfill them.

PREVENTATIVE HEALTH CARE

Your pet’s wellbeing is another big responsibility of the pet owner. Unlike humans, your pet cannot tell you when he or she is feeling sick. You spend the most time with your pet, therefore you know when he or she is not acting like themselves. When you suspect that your animal is sick, it’s your responsibility as a pet owner to take him or her to the vet. It’s also your responsibility to schedule appointments to have your pet’s shots updated and get them checked by the vet to help avoid any health problems in the future. Just as you would care for your own health and wellbeing, it’s important that you care for your pet’s health as well.

At 911 Vets, we care for your pet almost as much as you do, and we are dedicated to giving him or her the best care that we can give. That being said, we understand that in some cases it can be difficult for you to take your pet to the vet. Luckily, 911 Vets is a mobile vet clinic that offers all the service of a traditional vet clinic. To learn more, contact 911 Vets today!

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When it comes to your pets, it’s not necessarily a matter of if you will need to call the vet in an emergency, it’s a matter of when you will need to call the vet. If you’re in the Los Angeles area and you find yourself in an emergency situation, 911 Vets can help. Our mobile vet clinic makes it easy to get the help that your pet needs. Instead of worrying about getting your pet to the clinic in time, 911 Vets can come to you at all hours of the day and night. When you’re in need of an emergency vet clinic, call 911 Vets at 310-341-0216 right away!

In an emergency situation, it’s not always clear when you need to call the vet, which is why in today’s post, we will cover a few situations in which you should call the vet for assistance, and how you should react in an emergency situation. If your pet experiences any of the following situations, be sure to call 911 Vets right away.

IT’S NEVER A WRONG TIME TO CALL THE VET

The best rule of thumb is that it is never a wrong time to call the vet. If it’s an emergency situation and you’re not sure how to react, the best thing you can do is to call the vet, even if you’re not sure if it is necessary. By calling the vet, you have your pet’s best interest at heart, and can reduce the risk of more serious complications down the road. When it comes to your pet’s health, it’s better to be safe rather than sorry.

YOU KNOW YOUR PET BEST

You spend a lot of time with your pet. Even if you’ve only had your pet for a few days, it doesn’t take long to pick out distinct personality traits. With that in mind, you know your pet’s personality the best, so if there is something unusual in the way your pet is acting, then don’t hesitate to call the vet, even if you suspect that it’s nothing.

It’s also important to keep in mind that if your pet is exhibiting signs of illness or injury, the problem could be worse than the problems he or she is exhibiting. Because illness or injury is seen as weakness and vulnerability in the wild, animals have become experts at hiding signs of illness.

WHAT TO DO IN AN EMERGENCY

Aside from calling the vet, the best way to help your pet during an emergency situation is to be prepared. It’s difficult to be prepared for every possible situation, but there are a few things you can do to ensure that your pet will get the proper care he or she needs. The first thing you need to do is find a vet that you trust. Many vets only operate during the day, which is why it’s always a good idea to have the number for a 24-hour vet in an easily accessible location.

Another easy way to ensure that you are prepared for an emergency is to ask your vet for advice. When you go to the clinic for your next appointment, ask the vet what you should do in an emergency situation. This is also a good chance to see if they have a 24-hour clinic that they recommend.

DEFINING AN EMERGENCY

As we mentioned above, it can be difficult to identify an emergency situation and react accordingly. With that in mind, if your pet is showing signs of any of the following symptoms, it’s important that you take them to the vet right away.

Known exposure to dangerous poisons – Unfortunately, there are many substances around your home that can be poisonous to your pet. Anything from rat poison to chocolate could lead to serious complications if ingested. If you suspect that your pet has eaten something poisonous, don’t wait for the symptoms to get worse before you call the vet.

Not eating or drinking – Depending on your pet, not eating or drinking could be a major sign that something is wrong. Some pets eat everything in their bowl within minutes, while other pets choose to savor their food and make it last for hours. With that in mind, in most cases, not eating or drinking within in a 24-hour period is cause for concern and you should visit the vet.

Vomiting and diarrhea – If your pet is vomiting or has diarrhea, it could indicate that there is a serious problem, especially if either contains blood. If it only happens once, it may not be something to stress over. However, if your pet is vomiting or has diarrhea repeatedly, it could lead to severe dehydration.

Difficulty breathing – Breathing difficulties, strange noises when breathing, or any other irregularities in your pet’s breathing need to be addressed right away by a vet.

These are just a few of the common emergencies that need to be addressed by a vet. If your pet exhibits any of the symptoms listed above, you need to seek treatment from a vet right away. Luckily, if you live in the Los Angeles area, 911 Vets can help. Our mobile vet clinic is available 24/7. We offer all the veterinary services that you would find in a normal vet clinic, except we bring our services to you. Call 911 Vets at 310-341-0216 today.

Going to the vet is no walk in the park, and chances are, your pet will most likely put up a fight or try to avoid it as much as possible. Luckily, if you live in the Los Angeles area, 911 Vets provides you with the convenience of bringing the vet to your home! With our mobile vet clinic, you won’t have to worry about trying to get your dog into the car or your cat into his or her carrier. We provide you with our expert vet services in the comfort of your own home. Whether you are in need of a routine check-up or emergency services, our vets will come to your aid at any hour of the day or night. Learn more about our services, and contact us at 310-341-0216 today!

In our previous blog, we talked about a few ways to help make your trip to the vet as stress-free as possible. In part two of this multi-part series, we will continue to talk about some more ways to help your pet feel more at ease when it comes to visits to the vet. Continue reading below, and if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to call the experts at 911 Vets!

MAKE THE PET CARRIER COMFORTABLE

In part one, we discussed how to help your pet become more familiar with the car and his or her pet carrier. Another great way to put your pet’s mind at rest on the way to see the vet is to make his or her pet carrier as comfortable as possible. Whether the carrier is just out in the open or you’re taking your pet to the vet, it’s important to make that environment comfortable. No cat or small dog will enjoy sitting in a hard, plastic carrier. Lay down a blanket or towel to increase the comfort level and maybe even throw in your pet’s favorite toy. The littlest things could help your pet feel a little calmer.

USE RELAXING SCENTS

For pets that are extremely anxious or nervous, you may want to consider using calming scents. Animals release pheromones that help to calm both themselves and other animals, and recently, companies have been able to create products that have the same effect. Most often, these pheromones come in spray bottles. Before you go to the vet, spray the towel in the carrier or the seat in the car with these pheromones to provide your pet with a calming scent.

GIVE YOUR PET TIME TO RELAX

Once you’ve returned home from the vet, be sure to give your pet some space if that is what he or she desires. Visiting the vet is stressful, and just as you enjoy some downtime after a stressful event, so does your pet. He or she may run and hide, or curl up in their bed and sleep for a long time. Either way, give them some space until they show signs of wanting attention, but still keep an eye out for any bad reactions to shots or medication that your pet received during the visit.

Hopefully, these tips will result in a stress-free visit to the vet. If you’re looking to minimize the stress by having the vet come to your home, 911 Vets can help! We are proud to provide the Los Angeles area with all the services that you can find at a traditional vet clinic, 24/7. Whether it’s an emergency or a cancer screening, we can give your pet the attention and treatment he or she deserves. Call 911 Vets today!