Protect Your Dog From Summer-Heat

Climate change has already given us a couple of heat waves with some other disastrous consequence in Spain. And for what we are warned, forecasters are not going to be the only ones of this summer 2017 in the whole northern hemisphere. So today, before any other recommendations for the proper care of summer and pre-summer for our dear friends, I will talk about how to protect them from high temperatures.

1.- General rules. 

• Avoid exposure to the sun, take a walk with him or go out to exercise during the most critical hours of the day.
• Make sure they have a cool place in the shade, both inside and outside the house.
• Forget the plastic huts for the outside, they do not serve as heat insulation practically for  nothing, except those made of excellent quality, ultramodern synthetic materials.
• No dogs or cats in closed cars although with windows slightly lowered, or in the shade!

The temperatures reached (up to 50 ° C in minutes) mean that every summer we have increasing numbers of animals that have died for this reason. The cause of most heat hits on dogs in summer is this!

• The air conditioning at home, at its house, for the transporter – for big dogs or long trips -, the car, etc. is very good.
• Leave a source of drinking water accessible to the animal so you can drink whenever they need it.
• Fur: Beware of haircuts!
• Ideal hours for eating are in the morning and evening because they will make digestion easier.
• Do not forget that your dog and cat need to exercise, do it when the sun is setting and always shaded areas and fresh or indoors.
• Dogs and cats are exposed to heat and sunburn on the skin.
• The visit to the hairdresser of dogs and cats is essential, he is the only one who knows how high he should cut the hair to each race and each species.

2.- Dogs

• They do not sweat the same way we do. Dogs do not have sweat glands throughout the body, So the only way they can remove the heat is through breathing, panting, and feet  – (pads)- hence the importance of keeping them in perfect condition – These forms of temperature regulation are not sufficient in extreme weathers like very hot summers.
• Dogs are very exposed to heat stroke because they have great difficulty to regulate it. Their body temperature varies between 38ºC-39ºC, in summer they can easily reach 42ºC – The temperature at which they are considered to suffer a heat stroke – In this circumstance, most veterinarians think that it is very difficult to save them.

How to detect a heat stroke on dogs?

It is essential since you have to act quickly, if you wait for the arrival of the vet, it may be late. When a dog’s body temperature reaches 42-43 ° C, the symptoms it presents are: Dizziness, feeling that the dog is ill, breathing with difficulty, panting, he can not walk, loses balance, tachycardia, elevated temperature, congested mucous membranes, vomiting, diarrhea and, sometimes, shock or loss of consciousness.

The most correct way to moisturize a dog is to offer cold water and wet it, mainly behind the head, abdomen and legs. It also helps to put wet and cold cloths on the snout and places where they have less hair, as well as do all this in a cool place and even with the help of a fan to remove the heat that is coming off. It is important for dogs to have a place like a small pool or pool, where they can refresh their paws, face, and their whole body taking a dip.

Dogs most exposed to heat stroke:

• Short-nosed dogs (English Bulldog, Boxer, etc.)
• Obese or overweight dogs.
• Dogs with abundant fur and breeds originating from cold places such as the Siberian husky.
• Dogs with heart or respiratory insufficiency.
• Puppies and elderly dogs.