PAWS - Warminster

09/08/2024

07/08/2024

HelllllO?!

01/08/2024

31/07/2024

When you can't be bothered to walk so you go for a carry but you're so appreciative of being involved!

31/07/2024

Splishy splosh!
Keeping cool in the pool 😎😎

31/07/2024

Itsy bitsy teeny weeny....

27/07/2024

Double coats play a role but DO NOT magically cool a dog down. Let’s break it down and let’s remember a one size (quite literally) doesn’t fit all.

The undercoat traps air against the skin. If that air is cool or there is a breeze this will be very effective in helping our dogs. When they leave the home where the air is cool and enter 22c heat that undercoat will help to keep them cool for sometime and those guard hairs (the top coat) will act like leaves on a tree - shade. BUT as the air becomes hot the undercoat will move and trap warm air against the skin and the guard hairs will make it difficult for that warm air to leave unless it’s windy. So this double coat will only be effective if it can move (very regular grooming needed) AND the weather is windy. Otherwise it’ll keep the dog cooler for longer but then heat them up making it hard for heat to escape.

But the double coat does protect that fragile skin, so if you keep it well maintained, your dog is not overweight, you don’t subject them to hot temperatures, and they aren’t a giant breed who is a bigger risk of overheating. Then clipping is not necessary, especially if they are young (older dogs find it harder to thermoregulate).

Remember that double coat keeps them warm in the winter, how many hot days do we get here in the U.K.?! Can you make more effort to groom/get them groomed, provide a fan, plenty of cold water drinking options, get their weight down, and avoid waking when over 20c? If so then clipping is potentially not necessary!

If there is existing skin disease clipping will help you to apply topical products, if there isn’t clipping can expose fragile skin. Some undercoat must be left to protect it. And you have to be prepared to apply sunscreen and potentially be ready for an increase risk of skin disease.

For some the guard hairs can take 4 years to grow back! Yes that may look aesthetically unpleasant. That’ll also mean less protection against the wet and dirt. They’ll need a winter coat on. The double coat helps them maintain optimum body temperature.

Like everyone I.e. neutering there is not a one size fits all. You need to assess every dog, here is an example. I was asked would you clip a double coated breed who appears to be struggling with the heat and has cancer and not predicted to survive past the summer, well yes I would clip if all other cooling options have been explored. But generally it’s not a yes for all you need to ask questions, discuss pro’s and con’s. But ultimately a clipped coat will cool but could mean other problems may arise…

www.animallovepetfirstaid.co.uk
One vet, always balanced, always trying to be better to help you learn and help those wonderful animals ❤️

26/07/2024

I'll take the steak please!

26/07/2024

Sloppy vizsla kisses!

24/07/2024

Just checking it's definitely empty!

**no dogs were harmed or stuck!!

24/07/2024

Apparently Wednesday is also now ginger day!!

24/07/2024

Ginger tuesday

24/07/2024

Tuesday is ginger day!!