Pets with short hair shouldn’t be going out during hottest part of the day. They are like people, they too can get sunburnt.
Dogs react to the weather same as people – during frequent temperature changes they can be tired, dejected and exposed to certain hardships. Period of transition from chilly and wet spring to hot summer is time when these symptoms are more expressed than otherwise. Our pets put up with first heats as hard as we. We have obligation to care more for our pets at days like these. That especially refers to days with extremely high temperatures that come over night.
First summer days are followed with damp, extremely high temperatures and burning sun that is exhausting, increases dehydration risk and mild heart stroke. It is important not to allow our pets to sudden and long spend time on sun. You should get them used to high temperature with a regular short walks. Experts have a simple advice – pet should always have enough fresh water to drink. When you are going to walk your dog it is preferable to always have a little water by your side, as dogs don’t regulate quantity of liquids with sweating then with gasping, .
“Long walks are not recommended on first burning days. As outdoor activities regards, they should be replaced with a few short walks during day and it is better to choose morning or evening hours.“ says Jelena Majstorovic, the vet. “During the hottest part of the day, especially when air is humid and warm and between raining, you should forbid your dog unrestricted rushing, playing and running. Especially during days like these you shouldn’t ride bike with your dog. If dog is having a long run on 30 or more °C it can be extremely hot for it. It is really important for dog to have cool and shady place in apartment. And if dog is placed outside it is necessarily to have house with canopy. House should be placed in shade with good air flow. You should choose heavy water container that is hard for dog to upturn when he is playing.”
“Heat stroke is urgent condition that requests fast reaction of the owner. Dog’s organism has different thermoregulation from people. That’s why they need more time for cooling down. Dogs don’t tolerate high temperatures as people. Problem appears when outdoor temperature is close to temperature theirs bodies. That’s when usually comes to overheating. Risky group consist of dogs with breathing problems. Because of the shape of the snuff they often have breathing problems and that directly influences on regulating body temperature.“ says the vet.
WHEN APPEARS HEAT STROKE IN DOG’S?:
Heat stroke appears when your dog’s system for thermoregulation can’t maintain body temperature within the limits of normal. Dog with moderated heat stroke (body temperature 40-41°C) can recover in time of one hour with appropriate first aid and therapy that vet has prescribed. Serious heat stroke (body temperature over 40°C) can lead to death of animal and requires instant intervention of vet.
DOG THAT HAS SUFFERED HEAT STROKE WILL SHOW FEW SIGNS:
- Gasping for air
- Bright red tongue
- Red or pale gums
- Fat, sticky saliva
- Malaise
- Dizziness
- Vomiting (sometimes with adulterant of blood)
- Diarrhea
- Shock and coma
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO WHEN YOUR DOG HAVE A HEAT STROKE?
Instantly take the dog from the heat. Before you take it to the vet, you should take down its temperature with cold water and increase air circulation around it using fan. If you use extremely cold water it could be counterproductive. If it cool too fast and if its body temperature falls too low, it could lead to other problems that are endangering its life. Rectal temperature should be checked every five minutes. When it reaches 39°C you should stop with cooling down and wipe your dog with towel and cover it to prevent continuation of cooling down. Even if it seems like your dog is okay right now you should still take it to the vet as soon as possible. It should be checked up because it’s possible that it is dehydrated or maybe there are some other problems as a result of a heat stroke.
You should put water at disposal and don’t try to make it drink water that it wouldn’t choke itself.
Dogs that had moderated heat stroke mostly recover fast without any consequences. Hard cases of heat stroke are followed by slower recovery and damage of some organ and that requests special care and further therapy. Dogs that once have suffered heat stroke have greater possibility to suffer it again and that’s why you should during hot and humid days take precaution for that not to happen.
PREVENTION:
- Fresh water should be always available.
- Don’t ever leave your dog in parked car even if it is in shade Locked cars are heating up fast. Even when outdoor temperature is only about 20°C interior of the car can only in one hour heat up to incredible 45° It is enough for animal to spend only 15 minutes in that kind of conditions to suffer heat stroke, and in the case of longer exposure it is possible for dog to die.
- Dogs that live outdoor must have access to some place with shelter.
- On hot days you should forbid your dog to run or play too much. Too much recreation during hot days could be extremely dangerous.
- Don’t put muzzle on your dog.
- You should avoid places like beaches and especially places with concrete or asphalt on which heat reflects and that don’t have any shelter.
- By wetting your dog and allowing it to swim you are helping it to maintain its body temperature.
- Dog that lives in enclosed space should be placed in cool place. Air conditoning could be good way for dog to refresh iself, but its not necessary. You could at any time freeze water in plastic flashes, wrap it in towels and put it on place where your dog sleeps. If it likes to lay down on cool tiles in bathroom or kitchen you shouldn’t forbbid that.
- Dogs that are obese or have heart problems or breathing problems shouldn’t spend time on sun. They should be always in some place with shade. For these dogs even an normal activity on hot days could be deadly.
DID YOU KNOW THAT DOGS, LIKE PEOPLE, CAN TOO GET SUNBURNED?
For this part of the year experts recommend proper maintenance of pet’s hair. With regular brushing and removing old hair, dog will easier cool down. Even if it seems incredible at first glance, there are dog breeds that can get sunburned. It’s about short-haired pet, namely dogs with light snuff and light ears. They should be prohibited to go out when the temperature is highest, and if they stay long in the sun, you should necessarily go to your vet.
Latest researches showed that excessive sun exposure can lead to same problems that people have, primarily melanoma and other skin diseases. Solar dermatitis is most common disease for pets due to sun exposure. Along with dermatitis, it is possible appearance of melanoma. Way of treatment depends on type of tumor, and in some situations it implies surgery.