| It's not just the canine athletes; the
Frisbee leapers, the runners and jumpers, that are susceptible to heat exhaustion. Every
dog is a potential victim of summer's heat.
One of the most common causes of heat stroke is leaving an
animal in a hot car. Even on an 80-degree day, the temperature inside a car can get up to
130 degrees fairly quickly. Leaving a window cracked doesn't prevent heat build-up.
Leaving a dog in a car on a warm day is risking the dog's life.
Dogs don't sweat, and they don't have an efficient way to cool themselves down. If they
are panting, it may be because they need the oxygen because they've been exercising, or it
may mean they are trying to get rid of built-up heat in their bodies.
Long coats also hold in body heat. Stripping the coat out just before summer will also
help to keep the dog cooler. Be sure not to remove too much coat or the under-coat though,
because that could lead to sunburn, which would be very painful for the dog.
Black dogs absorb the sun's rays, so they get hot more quickly than lighter colored dogs.
There are so many variables, depending on the physical condition of the dog, its age, its
coat length, its breed. A well-conditioned dog with short hair can play longer in the heat
than a long-coated dog not accustomed to getting much exercise. The owner also must take
into account the age of the dog and any health problems it might have. Very young or very
old dogs are more at risk. Breeds like pugs and Pekinese have more difficulty in the heat
because of their facial shape.
The first signs of heat exhaustion:
- Excessive panting
- The skin on the inside of the ears becomes flushed and red
|
| Your quick action can save your
dog's life.
If your dog starts getting weak and wobbly, faints and loses consciousness, cool him down
as fast as possible --don't wait to get to the
veterinarian's office.
Those few minutes could mean the difference between life and
death.
Hose the dog down with cool water. Apply an ice pack to the dog's head -- an ice chest can
come in handy -- just place ice inside a towel or other fabric before applying the ice.
Many dogs don't know when to quit exercising. They love playing Frisbee, or fetch,
so much that they will continue to the point of exhaustion. It is up to the owner to use
good judgment and decide when play should stop.
I discourage that kind of activity in the heat of the day anyway. Wait until the evening
when it is cooler or start early in the day. |
March 30, 2002