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WITH reports of a mini heat wave coming next week, many of us will be looking for ways to cool down.
But it is important not to forget our four-legged friends when the weather is hot.
1
Dogs can quickly overheat in the sun, whether they are out walking or just sunbathing in the yard.
David Harris, Head of Veterinary Content at VetHelpDirect.comhas revealed that all owners should follow a simple rule if they are concerned about their dog overheating.
If you think your dog is overheating, regardless of breed, there is one simple thing you can remember: get wet first, then go to the vet.
Pour cold water over the dog to cool him down and call your vet for advice as soon as possible.
Immersion in water, or evaporative cooling, is the best way to cool your dog down quickly.
For young, healthy dogs, placing them directly into a cold water bath is a good way to quickly lower their temperature.
For older dogs or dogs with an underlying health condition, it is better to pour water over the dog that is a lower temperature than your dog’s own temperature.
This should be combined with ‘evaporative cooling’ measures, such as placing the devices in front of a fan or air conditioner.
Only when your dog has actively cooled down may you take him on a trip to the vet.
Dogs don’t just die in hot cars. They can also die of heatstroke outdoors, especially if the dog is a high-risk breed.
Tips to prevent heat stroke:
- Make sure your pet always has access to a cool, shady spot, both indoors and outdoors.
- Walk your dog early in the morning or later in the evening to avoid the hottest part of the day.
- Take a bottle of water with you when walking.
- Remember, hot sidewalks can burn paws! If it’s too hot to hold your hand on, it’s too hot for your pet to walk on.
- Never leave pets in a car or in a warm room (e.g. a conservatory).
- Make sure your pet always has access to drinking water. Adding ice cubes will help keep your pet cool.
- Make sure your pet is groomed regularly, if this is recommended for its breed.
BREEDS MOST SUSCEPTIVE TO OVERHEATING
Broadly speaking, there are six groups of dogs that are most affected by hot weather…
First, those with underlying health conditions. Dogs can’t sweat like we can, so they rely largely on panting to cool down. However, if they have respiratory or lung problems, or are suffering from fluid balance or hydration issues, this becomes more difficult and their ability to lose heat is reduced, meaning they are at higher risk of heat stroke.
Obesity in animals have more difficulty ventilating and their core temperature rises faster than you would expect from a thin dog.
Very young dogs or very old dogs are also at greater risk of heat stroke. These owners should be extra careful in hot weather.
Dogs with a very thick coat, adapted to a colder climate. Dogs like the Husky or Malamute – and even the Chow Chow – are bred to retain heat. However, this does have the disadvantage that they are less able to cope with hot weather. Their thick double coat traps heat effectively, so it is similar to when we go outside in the heat of July wearing a fur coat and thermal underwear – they get very hot very quickly. This problem can be solved by clipping (NOT shaving), but the coat can take a long time to grow back. If you are struggling to keep your dog cool during a heatwave, I would personally rather have a dog with a thinner coat living than a luxuriously coated dog in the morgue.
Short-nosed or brachycephalic breeds such as pugs, bulldogs and French bulldogs. These dogs were bred to look “cute,” with large eyes and flat faces. Unfortunately, the result is a narrowing of the airways and an overabundance of soft tissue in the nasal passages and pharynx—we call this Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome, and it severely impacts their ability to pant and lose heat. Like a dog with any other respiratory condition, most members of these breeds are highly susceptible to heat stroke, and because they are often overweight, they are at high risk in hot weather.
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