As seems to happen every year around this time in Australia,
the weather is warming up. Summer is a wonderful time of year for both humans
and dogs. Long warm days are perfect for spending time outdoors chasing balls,
swimming at the beach or just hanging out at the local park. By being mindful
of the risks that warm weather presents to our canine friends we can make
summer a safer and more enjoyable time for everyone.
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| A sprinkler is a great way to keep cool |
Overheating
Almost all dogs wear a fur coat that helps to insulate them
from the elements. The down side of this insulation is that it makes it
difficult for dogs to release excess heat from their bodies. Dogs don’t perspire like
humans and can only cool themselves by panting, which is far less efficient
than the human cooling system.
Heat stress
If a dog is panting excessively and seems agitated, it may
be suffering from heat stress. It
should be allowed to rest in a cool place and given water to help it cool down.
Heatstroke
If not treated, heat stress can quickly become heatstroke
which is a much more serious condition and can result in seizures, organ
failure and death. The dog may become lethargic or unsteady on its feet and may
have diarrhoea or be vomiting.
Move the dog to a cool area, apply cool water to the armpits and groin
and give it frequent small drinks of water. Get it to a vet as soon as
possible.
Your dog will give you signals when it is getting hot so always
have fresh water available, watch its behaviour and get out of the heat before
it becomes a problem.
Sunburn
Despite their genetic predisposition towards overdressing,
dogs are generally not inclined to wear hats or shirts and can suffer from
sunburn and skin cancer.
While light coloured dogs with fine coats such as boxers and
bull terriers are particularly susceptible, any dog that spends time in the sun
(and that should be every dog) has some level of risk.
Unprotected or minimally protected parts of the dog such as
noses, ear tips and – if your dog likes to sunbathe on its back – belly and
groin areas can be protected with sunscreen. There are a variety of sunscreen
creams, sprays and wipes available for dogs and as for humans they should be
reapplied periodically or after swimming. Human sunscreens are not recommended
for dogs as many contain ingredients that may be toxic to dogs. If in doubt speak
to your vet.
Foot preservation
When walking your dog in summer, remember that sun-baked
surfaces can get extremely hot. Footpaths and roads are best avoided in the
heat of the day and even beach sand can get hot. While we’re talking about
surfaces to avoid, watch out for bindies, as they can be as painful for dogs as
they are for humans.
Pests and parasites
Summer is also a popular time of year with parasites and
insects that feed on dogs.
Ticks
A paralysis tick can paralyse and kill a dog in a few days
so in tick affected areas it is essential to treat dogs with a preventative
product and check for ticks daily. Weakness or wobbliness in the back legs is
often an early sign of tick paralysis and should be assessed by a vet.
Fleas
Fleas cause annoying itching for dogs and humans and can
cause allergies and secondary infections. Serious infestations may require
treatment of entire houses and gardens but in most cases just treating the dog
is sufficient.
Flys
Some species of fly will bite dogs to feed off their blood.
Usually the ears are attacked as they have blood vessels close to the surface
but any part of the dog may be a target. Effected areas can quickly become
sore, scabby and infected and may require veterinary treatment. Commercial
insect repellent sprays and creams are available and many home remedies are
also effective.
Tips
- Always provide access to plentiful fresh drinking water.
- Don’t exercise dogs during the middle of the day.
- Always provide cool shady areas for dogs to get out of the heat.
- Ensure tick, flea and worm treatments are up to date.
- Apply and re-apply sunscreen and insect repellents as required.
Your local Saxon K9 consultant is always happy to help with
any dog-related question. Please contact us if we can help.
Excellent Tips Saxon K9 !
ReplyDeleteWe will have a happier Summer after reading these.
By the way, I always hear people who have very furry dogs say that their fur acts like an esky - keeps them cool when it is hot. This is clearly NOT the case as I often see these big furry cold climate dogs gasping for breath at the park and trying to lie in the shade.
Do oyu recommend shaving these dogs in summer?
Roby
Hi Roby,
DeleteA dog's coat acts as insulation and will help to keep heat out - unfortunately when the dog heats up internally through exercise, stress, illness or just because it's a hot day, the insulating coat holds the heat in.
Dogs that naturally shed their coat do not usually need to be clipped for summer but it is important for the owner of any dog to be aware of the danger of overheating and to help their dog cool down if necessary.
Clipping a dog may affect its ability to regulate its temperature and it may need a blanket or coat on cold nights. Clipping can also increase the chance of sunburn so it's important for owners to be vigilant. Clipping long haired and fluffy dogs in high tick areas facilitates early detection before a tick can do serious damage.
All dogs and situations are different so I recommend do what works for you and be prepared to take action if your dog needs your help. That's what a good human is for.