Safe Harbor Animal Hospital

06/16/2026

The Coffee Stopper Cat. 😅

06/15/2026

Always a good reminder. As the days get warmer, keep your furry family safe💖

As it heats up this weekend, Oregon veterinarians remind pet owners to keep their pets safe.

Never leave your pet unattended in a vehicle. Even with the window cracked, the temperature inside a car can quickly climb to more than 110 degrees, which can lead to heatstroke. If not caught in its earliest stages, heatstroke can be fatal. Symptoms of heatstroke include:
* Panting
* Dehydration
* Excessive drooling
* Increased body temperature - above 103° F (39° C)
* Reddened gums and moist tissues of the body
* Production of only small amounts of urine or no urine
* Rapid heart rate

Provide your pet with plenty of clean, cool drinking water. This is very important in order to avoid dehydration. However, do not let your dog drink a lot of water before, during or after exercise because a condition called gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV)—or bloat—may result. A dog, especially a deep-chested breed like the German Shepherd, can die from bloat. Its stomach may swell and even rotate like a wringing towel, which cuts off blood supply through the stomach.

Avoid exercising your pet during the midday summer heat. Exercising your animal is important, but it is better to do so in the early morning or evening hours when the temperatures are lower, and pavement isn't so hot. You wouldn't walk barefoot on hot asphalt and neither should your pet.

When in doubt, stay out. You and your dog may be tempted to go into a river, lake or stream to cool off. Make sure you are aware of current harmful algae bloom advisories, for your health and that of your dog: https://www.oregonvma.org/toxic-algae-advisories

Protect your pet from sunburn. Just like humans, pets can get a sunburn, too, especially on their nose or less hairy areas. Help your pet avoid a sunburn by avoiding the sun during the brightest part of the day (10 am to 4 pm) or use a pet-specific sunscreens which are fragrance free, non-staining, and contain UVA and UVB blockers. Do not use human sunscreens on pets; most are toxic if ingested by dogs or cats. Check the label, as some pet-specific products are not appropriate for use on cats.

06/11/2026

💕

06/10/2026

Litter box accidents can be a crucial warning sign of underlying medical issues like urinary tract infections or blockages, which require prompt veterinary attention to prevent life-threatening complications.

06/09/2026

Is your dog reacting to things that seem unusual? A rustling branch, a person in boots, a dog barking in the distance — it seems random, but there's usually a reason. Dogs don't just react without a cause. Sometimes it's not about other dogs, but about stress that's building up, a trigger that's been missed, or a fear that's been growing quietly. If your dog is overreacting, there's probably a good reason — and finding out what's behind it is the first step to helping them feel safe again.

06/08/2026

👨‍🚒 Firefighters do so much more than just fight fires! 🐶💓

06/08/2026

Important reminder!

Recent powerful earthquakes around the Pacific serve as a reminder that coastal communities should always be prepared for the possibility of a tsunami.

On June 7, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck near the Philippines, prompting tsunami monitoring across parts of the Pacific. Then, another significant earthquake occurred near Cuba on the morning of June 8. While neither event posed an immediate threat to Oregon, they highlight how quickly conditions can change when major earthquakes occur around the world.

The Oregon Coast sits along the Cascadia Subduction Zone, a massive fault capable of producing one of the largest earthquakes on Earth. Scientists believe a future Cascadia earthquake could generate a tsunami that would reach some coastal communities in as little as 15 to 30 minutes.

Emergency officials encourage residents and visitors to know their tsunami evacuation routes before heading to the beach. Blue and white tsunami evacuation signs are posted throughout coastal towns and point the way to higher ground.

If you are on the coast and feel strong shaking that lasts more than 20 seconds, do not wait for an official warning. Move immediately to high ground or inland as quickly as possible. A strong local earthquake is nature’s warning that a tsunami may follow.

Every household should consider keeping an emergency kit with water, food, medications, flashlights, batteries, important documents, and supplies for pets. Cell phone alerts, weather radios, and local emergency notification systems can also provide valuable information during an emergency.

Visitors should take a few minutes when arriving at the coast to locate the nearest evacuation route and identify safe areas. Many people who visit the Oregon Coast are unfamiliar with tsunami hazard zones and may have only minutes to react during a real event.

The Oregon Coast has experienced tsunamis throughout its history, including waves generated by the devastating 2011 earthquake in Japan. While most distant tsunamis provide hours of warning, a Cascadia earthquake would likely offer little time for evacuation.

Being prepared does not mean living in fear. It means understanding the risks, knowing where to go, and having a plan in place before an emergency occurs. A few minutes of preparation today could save lives tomorrow.

06/05/2026

Truth!

06/02/2026

Chart showing that leaving pets or people inside a parked car, even on a seemingly mild "nice" day, can be deadly.