Keep Your Pets Cool!

LK with her Buddy, Jack

Our sweltering summer days are here in Ct. (at least for this week)  Below is some excellent advice from a Fidelco veterinarian, especially with our dog friends in mind.

"As you may know, dogs do not sweat like we do. They do have sweat glands, but only on their feet and not on the rest of their body. So they rely on panting, a method of breathing out excess heat, to cool down their bodies. This method is not as effective as sweating. So, as we head into the next couple of days where the heat index is fore casted to reach 105 degrees, I want to take the opportunity to provide guidance on how to best keep our dogs healthy and happy…

Three factors to keep in mind to prevent heat injuries are: shade, water and rest.

 

The shade is your best friend. A cool environment should always be available and animals should not be left outside for long periods during the day without lots of water and adequate shelter from the sun. Your vehicle is comparable to an oven in this weather, even in the shade, so bring your dogs inside.  Keep all pets indoors with very high temperatures outdoors.

 

Always keep a fresh, full bowl of water nearby. Always. Do not leave your dog's water bowl in the sun or it will heat up.

 

Limit exercise to the cooler parts of the day, such as early mornings and late evenings. The sun is the strongest midday anywhere between 10 am and 4 pm. If you plan on spending the day outdoors with your dog, try to find a nice spot that has a good-size shaded area and a nice refreshing breeze and utilize work/rest cycles, e.g., 25 minutes on then 15 minutes off.

 

Please take increased precautions with old, obese, or infirm dogs. They have a harder time regulating their body temperatures than younger, healthier dogs.

 

Heat injuries happen very fast and sometimes unexpectedly.. Heat stress, a.k.a. heat exhaustion, is a warning that the dog is becoming overheated. Heat stress progresses to heat stroke if the dog is left untreated. If your dog should show signs of serious distress from the heat it is best to cool them immediately with cool or tepid water rather than really cold water. If ice packs are available they can be applied to areas where circulation is very good, such as the armpits, groin area or neck. Blowing air over them with a fan as you cool them off with water can be helpful. As soon as they seem to be gaining some comfort proceed to your veterinarian immediately. Dogs who suffer from heat stroke can develop delayed complications that are really serious, including death, if they are not properly monitored and cared for.

Spending quality time with your dog on a hot summer day is loads of fun but potentially dangerous. If you are hot, chances are your dog is even hotter. Use common sense and be safe! Enjoy your summer and remember to keep your dog cool!"

Michael J. Bednar, DVM

Director of Animal Medicine

Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation, Inc.