07/05/2024
Unusually warm weather coming. Please keep your dog's safe.
1. Walk very early or not at all.
2. Make sure your dog has water and shade.
3. Better yet keep them indoors with a fan or AC.
$. Know the signs of Heat Exhaution and Heat Stroke. They are medical emergencies.
Summer, Sunburn, Sunscreen & Heat Stroke
by Jeanne Hampl
While we all long for the sunshine and the warmth of summer it is important to remember that both can have an adverse effect on an assistance dog.
During hot weather exercise your dog in the morning or at dusk to avoid heat and humidity. Check the temperature of the pavement by placing your hand on it for a few seconds. If it is still hot from the sun, it will burn your dog's pads. There are different types of booties available to protect your dog’s pads from the hot pavement.
Also be sure to your dog has water available to keep hydrated. Dogs do not perspire the way humans do; in fact, the only sweat glands that they have are on the pads of their feet. Dogs pant to cool themselves and also use a temperature exchange called convection to cool their skin. Both panting and convection cool the body by exchanging the warm body temperatures for the cooler air outside. If the surrounding air is not considerably cooler than the animals' body temperature - as in the case of a hot, stuffy automobile - the cooling system will not work and heatstroke can occur. Signs of heatstroke include:
• Increased heart rate
• Excessive panting
• Increased salivation
• Bright red tongue
• Red or pale gums
• Thick, sticky saliva
• Depression
• Weakness
• Dizziness
• Vomiting (sometimes with blood)
• Diarrhea
If you think your dog (or any dog) is suffering from heatstroke, you need to take immediate action:
• Move him immediately to a cool area – either into the shade or preferably into air conditioning.
• Assess his condition – is he able to stand? Is he conscious and panting? If so, offer him small amounts of water to drink and take his temperature if possible.
• If he's at 104ºF or lower, remain with him in a cool environment, watch him carefully and keep offering small drinks of water. A large volume of water all at once might cause him to vomit, which will add to the risk of dehydration.
• When he seems more comfortable, call your veterinarian for next steps. The doctor may want to evaluate your dog even if he seems fully recovered.
• If your pet is unable to stand on her own, is unresponsive to your voice, touch or the sight of you, or is having seizures, check for breathing and a heartbeat.
• At the same time, have someone contact a veterinary hospital (or make the call yourself if you're alone with your pet) to let them know you'll be bringing her in right away. It's important to alert the clinic you're on the way so they can prepare for your arrival.
• Begin cooling procedures by soaking her body with cold water Use a hose, wet towels or any other source of cold water that is handy. Take her temperature if possible.
• Concentrate the cold water on her head, neck and in the areas underneath her front and back legs. Carefully cool her tongue if possible, but don't let water run into her throat as it could get into her lungs. Never put water in a dog's mouth that can't swallow on its own. Put a fan on her if possible – it will speed up the cooling process.
• After a few minutes, re-check her temperature. If her temp is at or below 104 degrees, stop the cooling process. Further cooling could lead to blood clotting or a too-low body temperature. Get her to a veterinary clinic right away, even if she seems to be recovering.
http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2010/08/10/dead-in-minutes-dogs-and-heatstroke.aspx
Dogs don't sunburn as easily as humans due to insulating fur that protects them from too much ultraviolet light. But areas not as well protected are the nose, tips of ears (especially if prick or upright ears) and belly areas. Dogs with short hair and fair skin may need extra sun protection. Consider applying sunscreen, one with at least a SPF of 15 (the higher the SPF, the more protection) and that won't wear off in water. A variety of pet sunscreens are available. Human products will also work, but because dogs and cats will eventually lick off the lotion, avoid those containing PABA or zinc oxide, which can be dangerous if swallowed. Most likely, your dog will try to lick off a good portion of the sunscreen. The best trick here is to make your pet forget that he/she has it on. The best way to do this is to put the sunscreen on right before the dog is given food, a treat, or goes out for exercise. If the dog is distracted immediately after the sunscreen is put on, there is a chance they will forget about it.
There are also caps that dogs can wear to keep the areas that are prone to burn shielded from direct sunlight. The caps should shade the ears and the tender bridge of the nose. For thin-coated pets without a lot of natural protection, it is a good idea is to cover them up. Putting them in a T-shirt or a longer vest when they're outside will protect their skin.
The danger of sunburn can be more than just temporary. Repeated exposure to the sun can also result in skin cancers.
One of the best times to check your dog for skin lesions is during grooming. If you don't do your own bathing and grooming, talk to your groomer about doing regular skin checks. One of the easiest ways to get to your dogs skin is separating the hair with a blow dryer. The groomer does this whenever they give a bath. You are looking for mole like discolorations, ulcerations and raised lumps. If a dog is checked and the findings are charted then you can observe your dog’s skin for changes. You can also point out your findings to your veterinarian and he or she can decide what action to take.
With some precautions both dogs and humans can enjoy the lazy, hazy, days of summer.
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