Protect Your Dog From The Heat !

 

Make sure that your dog doesn't become a statistic by being aware of the dangers of the summer sun ! Do you know that dogs don't sweat through their skin ? The only sweat glands they have are on their pads and nose and they depend upon panting to help cool themselves off. A dog baking in the summer heat, may be a dog who will soon go down. Seek veterinary help immediately if you notice excessive panting, dark or bright red tongue and gums, staggering, stupor, seizures, bloody diarrhea or vomiting, coma. Death may not be far away.   Use cool water (not ice water because ice water may cause constriction of the blood vessels and impede cooling). Offer ice cubes for your dog to lick on until you can reach veterinary help. Internal organs such as liver, kidneys, brain, etc., are affected by the body temperature and veterinary examination is needed to accurately assess damage to the canine system.

On extremely hot days, veterinarians recommend against leaving dogs outside for any length of time, even in the shade. Dogs with snub noses (such as pugs and bulldogs) and overweight, older dogs require closer monitoring and have a particularly hard time, regulating body temperature. The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) strongly recommends that dogs be kept indoors as much as possible during hot summer months. Choose the coolest part of the day (early in the morning or late in the evening), for summertime dog walks and keep these walks to a gentle pace and make sure your pet has plenty of water. If you notice panting or your dog appears to be exhausted, it is time to head for home !

The AAHA recommends keeping your dog out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and when your dog is outside, applying sunblock to unprotected areas like the tips of the ears, the skin around the lips, and the tip of the nose is highly recommended. Some owners have asked about shaving their dogs during summer months and most veterinarians and professional groomers recommend AGAINST shaving your dog for the summer months because a dog's coat helps to protect his skin from the sun and provides insulation from the heat. Dogs don't sweat to cool themselves and they don't need exposed skin to stay cool.

If you are traveling to other areas of the country, it is wise to check out the veterinary hospitals in the area which you are visiting before the need arises. Avoid wasting valuable time during an emergency and be prepared in advance.  Don't try out new diets on trips and consider taking along your local tap water to prevent stomach upsets. Remember that  unsweetened pumpkin will help the digestive system and take along a few cans of it. Make sure that your dog stays indoors during trips and if it is necessary to take them along during outdoor events, keep water available at all times.

 

 

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