An Ounce of Prevention...

No this isn't a post about birth control for horn dog City Folk, this is about a potential killer that hits dogs and pets in the summer, heat stroke!!

Lately with the temperatures rising I am counting more and more on my mommy carrying my water bottle in her bag (forget the clutches) as I tend to get overly excited in the first place so I need lots of water in the summer.

People are used to hearing about dogs dying in cars on hot summer days when owners don't crack a window but do you know you can have the window open and we can still easily die? There are potential problems whenever a dog is left in an enclosed space with no shade or no water on a sunny day.

Here are some tips from The Telegraph's Peter Wedderburn:

Dogs do have sweat glands in the pads of their feet but the most important heat-losing process is panting. The breathing becomes rapid and short (up to 400 breaths per minute), the mouth is opened and the tongue becomes enlarged as its blood supply is increased. The movement of air causes evaporation of water from the surface of the tongue, which carries with it excess heat from the body.

Panting is an extremely effective process of heat loss, but it uses large amounts of water, which is why it's essential that dogs have access to plenty of fresh water in hot weather.

The most obvious signs are panting and an increased pulse rate. Affected dogs stand still, looking anxious, panting rapidly, and unable to do anything else. They feel hot to the touch and the body temperature may be over 104'F, and up to 109'F. If a dog is not treated, the body temperature will continue to rise until the dog collapses. Vomiting and diarrhoea may occur, the dog enters a coma, and will often die.

This is a situation where first aid can be life saving. Obviously, the first thing is to remove the dog from the overheated situation - get into the shade and out of the sun. The dog should then be immediately immersed in a bath of cold water. If this is not possible, soak the dog with cold water either from a hose or using a bucket. The skin should be massaged vigorously, and the legs flexed and extended, to maximise the blood flow to skin and limbs.

The owners should rush the dog to the vet as soon as possible after a 10 minute cold bath. The vet will be able to give other treatment to bring the temperature back to normal.

Ten rules for dogs in hot weather.

1. Never leave a dog alone in a car
2. Be aware of keeping your dog cool when on car journeys together e.g. leave a window open for fresh air and stop regularly to check your animal properly
3. Always ensure a plentiful supply of drinking water.
4. Never leave a dog in a sunny place with no shade.
5. Give long haired dogs a short clip.
6. Exercise the dog out of the heat i.e. morning or evening.
7. Take your dog for a cool swim rather than a walk.
8. Give your dog 10% less food than normal.
9. Give the meals at cooler times of the day e.g. morning and evening.
10. Carry water with you when out on hot days, and give your dog frequent small amounts.

So next time you see a dog on a hot day overly panting, whether it is your dog, your friend's dog, a stranger's dog or little old me please check for symptoms of heat stroke and offer us a glass of H2O.

Chow for now!!