Four times a year, Be the Change 4 Animals asks bloggers to unite in a coordinated effort called Blog the Change, in hopes to raise awareness of the many ways we can look out for the creatures that share the planet with us - without asking you to spend a cent. With the heat of the summer well under way, my Blog the Change post for today is about keeping your dogs safe from the scorching sun.
Several years ago, I took a writing class with a fellow dog lover who was writing short stories about a Saint Bernard. At first, they came across as cute forays into her world as seen through the eyes of her giant dog – until I learned that all of her stories were inspired by death. The student explained to the classroom that when she had taken her Saint Bernard on a two mile pet walk over the summer, he collapsed from heat stroke and could not be resuscitated.
Devastated by her loss, she felt compelled to write stories from her dog’s point of view.
Her tragic story wormed its way into my psyche, and I constantly monitor my dogs for any signs of overheating. But sometimes, like when I took Toby to the Martha Clara Vineyards for a fun dog walk, you just don’t realize how hot your dog is until after the walk has concluded. Thankfully, Toby had been just fine. But as was the case with the writing student and her beloved Saint Bernard, not everyone is so lucky.
Although very young, elderly, overweight, or short nosed breeds (Pugs, Bulldogs, Boxers, etc.) are at increased risk – any dog can succumb to heat stroke – which can lead to seizures, coma, and death. But there are many measures you can take to prevent this serious condition:
- Make sure your dog has unlimited access to water and shade
- On hot days, walk your dog either in the early morning or late evening (Be careful not to walk your dog on hot pavement, as the pads of their feet can easily be burned)
- Carry water on your walks and take frequent breaks in the shade
- Limit the amount of exercise your dog gets on overly hot or humid days
- Just like people, dogs should grow accustomed to heat slowly. So if you live in a cool area and vacation with your dog in a hot climate, make sure you are even more vigilant about your dog’s welfare.
- If crating your dog at an outdoor event, make sure the crate is well ventilated, position it in the shade, and check on your dog frequently
- Always carry a cell phone with your vet’s number and the number to an emergency vet in case your regular vet is closed
- Never leave your dog unattended inside a car on a warm day, even with the windows cracked. You may as well be putting him in an oven. In fact, there is a very good website dedicated to this subject called My Dog is Cool. The site offers lots of useful information for summer safety, and they also offer printable fliers that you can slip under people’s wiper blades if you notice that they have left their dog unattended in a car. Of course, if you see a dog that appears to be in distress, you shouldn’t just leave a piece of paper – you should try to locate the owner, and if you can’t immediately do so, you should contact the police. The dog’s life might be at stake.
The signs of heat stroke in dogs can vary, and they do not have to display all of the symptoms to be suffering from it. Here are some of the warning signs:
- Excessive panting or gasping for air
- Drooling or foaming at the mouth
- Dry or dark red gums
- Lying down or collapsing and unwilling or unable to stand
- Uncoordinated gait, walking in a weave, dizziness
- Increased heart rate
- Vomiting
If you suspect your dog is overheated or suffering from heat stroke, you should take the following actions:
- Call your veterinarian immediately – they may want you to cool your dog first, or they might want you to bring him right in
- Take your pet to a cool area out of direct sunlight, air conditioned if possible, and if not, make sure it is well ventilated
- Offer your pet a drink of water
- Run cool (not ice cold) water over your dog in a kiddie pool or bathtub, being sure the water gets down past the fur and is just not rolling off
- Take your dogs temperature with a rectal thermometer – anything 103 or higher is too high
Remember, heat stroke can be fatal and taking immediate action might just save your dog’s life. I hope these tips help keep you and your dogs happy and safe this summer season, and I hope you’ll take the time to check out some of the posts below from other passionate writers who are also Blogging the Change for animals today:
1c051341-e32d-43fb-a31b-88b11da5da14|4|5.0