July 07, 2009
Just this week the north west has set many, many, records for high temperatures. We need to remember that temperatures over 75 degrees and high humidity can be dangerous to our pets. Take time today to protect them.
Dogs do not sweat. They reduce their body temperature through their tongue, nose and feet. This is especially difficult for dogs with short snouts such as pugs, bulldogs, Boston terriers and some spaniels. Panting is the way dogs cool themselves and regulate body temperature. However, because of their airway’s anatomical design, the flat faced breeds of dogs pant much less efficiently than other breeds. Air does not pass in and out as easily or as quickly. High humidity further complicates their breathing process and, at times, may cause their breathing to become very noticeably labored.
Pets who are overweight, have thick-fur, have a short snout, as we have already discussed, or are very young, are more susceptible to heat-related illnesses such as heat stroke. Signs of heat stroke in dogs include heavy panting, excessive drooling, increased heart rate, weakness, vomiting, pale gums, bright red tongue and lethargy. Should you notice any of these symptoms move your pet to a cooler location and encourage them to drink immediately. Should they display more than one symptom get them to the vet.
Leave pets at home on hot days, don’t leave them in cars — even for a minute. The temperature inside a parked car on a hot day can reach 120 degrees in a very short amount of time. Heat that severe can trigger heat stroke and/ or cause permanent brain damage in pets.
Create a shady place for pets to get out of the sun. Be sure there is always plenty of cool water available for them to drink. You may want to consider placing water in more than one location if you have a larger yard and your pet has more than one favorite shady spot.
Keep pets well-groomed. Brushing and cutting their hair frequently will help keep them cool. Never shave your pet as they can get sunburned just like you can. Speaking of sun burn, be extra careful if you have a pet with a pink nose. We did, and the vet told us to use a permanent marker during the summer to darken her nose. It will help block harmful rays which cause cancer. They just lick off sunscreen.
Foot pads can burn easily so avoid asphalt, concrete, brick, and other hard, heat conducting, surfaces during the heat of the day. Remember these surfaces take longer to cool down than does the air temperature.
Exercise animals in the cool of the morning or evening and on humid days or days when the temperature does not go down more that a few degrees, shorten your walk.
If a pet starts panting or salivating excessively, or refuses to get up and move around or play, immerse them in cool water, but never ice water, or gently squirt them with a hose to lower their body temperature. If they do not improve in a hour or so take them to a vet for a thorough check up.
Finally, there are other summer precautions to take. Check pets for fleas, ear mites, bumps, and cuts, to be sure their bodsied are healthy in ever way. Just like us, they are more susceptible to heat realted illness if their bodies are weakened by other ailments. Always use a good flea and tick repellent.
Pets bring so much joy and we need to protect them as we would any other family member.
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this is something pet owners must always keep in mind. My MIL had neighbors in CT that lost a dog because they left it in a car “but the windows were cracked open” for 3 hours in the sun in June. Locally, here in FL, there have been news reports of dogs, left outside with no shade and no water left in the bowls, who died. Pet owners must put themselves in their pets place – would you want to be left like those dogs??
When my son was young, he had a beautiful black poodle. We left him chained outside one summer day (we live in FL, too) beside a large shaded area with plenty of water. Somehow he got his chain wound around something and couldn’t get to his water or the shade and when we return just an hour later, he had died. We need to think of every possible contingency before putting our four-legged loved ones in danger.
Definitely it is a pleasure to take the time to read a post like this. I’ll be saving it on my favs so I can check it later again. when do you think you would write again about it?