Help your kitty ‘chill out’

Tuesday, June 27, 2017

Help your kitty ‘chill out’

by Central Cat Hospital

Cats are natural born sun seekers, but even they can suffer from heat stroke and sunburns. Read on to help your cat beat the summer heat!

Provide cool drinking water stations throughout the house. Drinking is one of the main ways cats cool themselves down when they get hot.
Try a water fountain if your cat prefers running water, you can also add ice cubes.
Make sure your cat has a cool, shady place to lounge. Instead of a heating pad, wrap up a frozen water bottle in a blanket and place it where your cat likes to spend time.
Start your fans and open up windows (make sure there is a screen!)
Prepare a frozen treat using low sodium meat broth and water. Freeze in ice cube tray, then serve in a bowl with some canned food or plain. If you are feeling more adventurous, fill your ice cube tray with blenderized canned food. Let thaw for a few minutes before serving and garnish with catnip ????
Consider keeping outdoor cats inside especially if you are not home to supervise and any time there are heat warnings or a high UV index. If your cat travels with you, remember that just a few minutes in a hot car is all it takes to develop heat stroke! To report a pet in a hot vehicle call 310-SPCA in Ontario or contact your local police department.
For more info, visit http://www.nohotpets.ca
If your pet spends time outside, consider creating an outdoor exercise pen with an umbrella cover to shield your pet from harmful rays.
Prolonged sun exposure can lead to painful sunburns and cancer. Areas most at risk are the ears, temples, nose and belly where there is less fur. Hairless breeds and cats with light coloured, fine fur have a greater chance of getting sunburn. It is best to avoid sun exposure between the peak hours of 10 am – 2pm. Ask your veterinarian about a safe sunscreen option for your cat, and never use salicylate containing sunscreens as these are toxic to cats!
Indoor cats are at risk too! UV light that comes through our windows can cause your cat to burn. During times when the sun is strongest, draw the blinds partially, or, consider a UV film for your window.

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596 Adelaide Street North,
London, Ontario N6B 3J8
Canada
Fax: 519.660.0002
Email:

Telephone: 519-660-0300

Monday-Friday: 8:00AM – 5:00PM
Saturday: 9:00AM – 1:00PM
Sunday: Closed

After Hours Emergencies:

Due to covid-19, flu and cold viruses, we have implemented protocols to keep both our clients and staff safe. The veterinary profession has been under tremendous strain throughout the pandemic due to severe staff shortages, so we’ve taken extra precautions to ensure the safety of our hospital. Our staff is a very small group, some being immunocompromised and at a greater risk. If any of our staff did get sick, we would have to close our doors completely, and we would no longer be available for any sick cats or emergencies.

We are now inviting cat parents, with scheduled appointments, back into the hospital with your cat(s), with a maximum of 2 fur parents, please. We still require masks to be worn inside. Please call from your car in the parking lot, to let us know you have arrived and we will direct you accordingly.

Because of the small size of our hospital, we are remaining curbside for drop off and technician appointments. For technician and drop off appointments we ask that you bring the cat to the back door and ring the bell for a technician to assist you. Food and medication pickups are still curbside. If you have any cold, flu, or covid symptoms, we ask that you stay in your vehicle for the duration of the exam, in which case the veterinarian will communicate with you via telephone. Thank you for your understanding and patience.

Drop off exams are for urgent or emergency issues. Your cat would be dropped off in the morning and the veterinarian would examine your cat in between the appointments that are already fully booked. The veterinarian would then give you a call to make up a treatment plan with you and then perform the agreed diagnostics and treatments. You would pick up your cat once treatment is complete.

Even though mask mandates have ended, we are still requiring masks to be worn inside the hospital.

We ask that everyone please remain respectful to our staff, and our hospital policies. We have a zero tolerance for any disrespectful behavior.

We thank you for your understanding and kindness during these difficult times.

Our Hours are Monday - Friday 8 am - 5pm
Saturday 9 am - 1 pm