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Hey, Katie K-9!KatieK9@readthecitizen.comwww.KTK9.com 651-429-5433 |
Hey, Katie K-9!
I have a four-year-old Old English Bulldog named Louie. As he gets older, he has a very hard time breathing in warm to hot weather. I worry about Louie getting heatstroke. What can I do to help him deal with the hot weather, and what are the signs I should watch for? Thank you.
Lindy and Louie
Hey, Lindy and Louie!
The highest-risk dogs are all the ones with flat faces, dogs with dark coats (their coats tend to absorb the heat from the sun more), older dogs, and dogs with long, matted hair. The mats in their coats keep the air from getting through, which then traps the heat close to the dog's body. With long-haired dogs, their coat is their insulation not only from the cold, but from the heat as well. Shaving them in NOT a good idea. They may look hot to you with all that hair, but if their coat is well-groomed, it is doing its job by keeping them cool.
Here are the signs of heatstroke or where your dog may be in trouble with the heat:
. Bright red tongue and gums
. Thick, sticky saliva
. Rapid panting
. Lagging on the walk or when playing
. Gait becoming sloppy or slow
. Dog's temperature is 104 -106 degrees - 106 and higher, get to the vet immediately! (you will need a rectal thermometer for this)
How to cool down your dog:
. Place an ice pack or pack of frozen vegetables on your dog's neck and head to reduce brain swelling. Also place them in your pet's armpits or groin area to help cool them down quickly.
. DO NOT run cold water from a hose over their back; this can chill the kidneys too fast and make him very sick. You can, however, run the hose over their paws to help cool them down.
. Provide plenty of cool water and let him drink and drink. How to prevent overheating and heatstroke:
. On hot days, walk your dog in early morning or late evening.
. Limit your walk distance.
. DO NOT walk on hot tar surfaces! Dogs sweat through the pads of their feet; with the heat coming up through their paws, they can not sweat it out
. Flat-faced dogs NEED air-conditioning in your home and car.
. Only have very short play periods with your dog, no matter how much they want to keep going.
. Provide a plastic kiddie pool for your dogs to lay in. You might have to teach them to use it. Not all dogs like water at first. Start out with a little water in it, and do not splash! For the short guys, you may have to build steps for them to get in and out.
. On hot days, LEAVE YOUR PETS AT HOME with a fan or air conditioning if you are running errands. Parking in the shade or leaving windows cracked does NOT work: the temperature in the car can really harm your dog! It may not kill them, but it can do brain damage! Have a happy and heat-safe summer.
Katie K-9!
Hey, Katie K-9!
I like to go to summer festivals, and I just got a new dog I adopted from the local shelter. He is a Lab mix, and we named him Henry. Henry loves being around people and going on walks. My friend and I were going to another festival and she told me to leave Henry home, that he would not have a good time. I never thought about it until now. What are your thoughts on that?
Henry and Shelly
Hey, Henry and Shelly!
I agree . leave Henry at home. Look at it from your dog's point of view - get down on all fours and see what the dog sees. A sea of feet, knees and armpits! People bumping into him or stepping on his paws and trying to keep up with you. That's supposed to be fun for Henry?
My personal biggest pet peeve? The 4th of July! All the sounds of firecrackers and fireworks can even unnerve the best gundog.
You should go to the festivals, have a great time, and then come home and tell Henry all about it while playing his favorite game.
Enjoy the summer!
Katie K-9!
Send in your dog questions to "Hey, Katie K-9!" by mailing them to The Citizen, P. O. Box 393, Hugo, MN 55038 or e-mailing them to Katie at KatieK-9@ReadTheCitizen. com. Visit Katie's dog obedience school website at www.ktk9.com. The Katie K-9 radio show is now on every Sunday afternoon from 4 to 6 p.m. on FM107.1