Dog Days of Summer: Veterinarians, pet sitters offer safety tips for the season

Summertime means outdoor fun for both pets and people, but the season also comes with risks pet owners should be aware of. Heartworm-carrying mosquitoes, hot pavement, even sunburn can plague pets, and animals can be stressed by their owners' relaxing vacation plans. Local veterinarians and pet-sitting professionals offer the following tips to pet owners. Sun and heat dangers When the sun is shining, many owners send their pets outside to play. But too much heat can be harmful, especially for animals used to the air-conditioned indoors, said veterinarian Paul Augustine of Malta Veterinary Hospital. “We see some dogs who are outside all the time, and they're fine,” he said. “But if the dog's been living in 70-degree air conditioning all summ