Dr. Ankur Sharma
Summers can be a great time for you and your pet to spend time outdoors exercising and having fun. However, it is important to understand that increasing temperatures can be very dangerous too and you must keep your dog cool. Following these simple tips through the hot, scorching summer time can make a big difference in the health of your dog as the temperatures soar.
As you enjoy the warm weather, keep your pet leashed. It will keep them from getting lost, fighting with other animals and drinking things that could make them sick. Whether you are indoors or out, make sure your dog has access to fresh water all the time. Dogs can also become dehydrated due to lack of fluid intake and loss of saliva when panting, so check their water bowl several times a day and make sure it is full.
Dogs should not be left unsupervised on long hot days, even in the shade as shade can move throughout the afternoon and pets can become ill quickly if they overheat. Give your pet a cool, shady, tick and flea free place to sleep. Consider a cooling dog bed or a cooling jacket, provide a wading pool if they love to lie down in the water, keeping in mind that shade is a priority.
Never leave your dog alone in direct sunlight in a closed vehicle, since even with the windows open, it can quickly become a furnace in a matter of minutes, even on a mild summer day. If your pet cannot come with you when you get out of the car, leave him at home. Cars tend to overheat during the summers and leak a green tempting liquid from them known as antifreeze, which is sweet and delicious to dogs but extremely toxic even in small doses, so be cautious that they do not sneak a drink from it.
Elderly, very young and sick animals have a hard time regulating their body temperatures, so be extra sensitive to their needs. Dogs with dark coloured hair, obese dogs and dogs with snub noses like bull dogs, pugs, pekingese cannot pant efficiently so make sure they stay cool and out of the sun on steamy summer days.
Take care not to overburden your pet with exercises in the hot and humid summer day. Remember, what might be normal exercise in winters might be stressful in summers. Do not muzzle your dog as it prevents him from opening its mouth to pant to remain cool. Your dog may also burn its paws while walking on the hot pavement, so regularly check their pads for sores, cracks or burns. Avoid walking your dog in areas which you suspect have been sprayed with insecticides/chemicals and poisons which increase during summers when gardens/lawns/trees are sprayed.
Keep your pet well groomed, tick free and flea free. Trim longer hair on your dog but never shave him as layers of dog coat protect him from overheating and sunburns especially in animals with light skin and hair. So keep your pet out of the sun, and when you go out, rub a bit of sun block on unprotected areas, which is fragrance free and non-staining. Although the sunscreen available for dogs is not ideal, the best thing is to offer shelter in an insulated well-ventilated dog house. But of course, the most perfect would be in your home.
Have your dogs vaccinations updated. Diseases such as rabies, distemper and parvo-virus are ever present dangers and necessary precautions should be taken. Beware of insect bites. If your dog is bitten or stung, watch the site for an allergic reaction or if there have been multiple wasp/bee/mosquito bites, take the animal to the vet. Watch for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke which includes: Heavy panting, staggering, glazed eyes, vomiting, bluish tongue, weakness and confusion. If your pet becomes overheated, you need to immediately lower his temperature. Apply ice pack to his head, neck and chest only. Let him drink little water or lick ice cubes and most importantly take him to a veterinarian immediately.
Even with emergency treatment, heatstroke can be fatal. The best cure is prevention and your pets depend on you entirely. No matter how careful and responsible you may be, accidents can happen, so make sure your vets phone number is close at hand. If you are not specifically careful, you might land up into a lot of trouble for your dog. Be cautious and familiar with the risks, and then it will be much easier for you and your dog to enjoy the summer season.
(The author is Assistant Professor, Division of Veterinary Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences and AH, SKUAST-J, RS Pura, Jammu.
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