July Issue 105
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Hurray! Summer is finally here! Sunshine and long hot days
are upon us. But what about your best friend? How do you keep them cool and
comfortable in the heat?
The most important thing to remember is to have clean,
fresh, cool water available 24/7. There has been some information regarding the
health risks of giving dogs ice or ice water but that has been debunked by
current veterinary information.
If your dog is an outside dog or spends the better part of
the day outside, please ensure that they have shade to escape from the hot sun.
A shelter in the shade is even better, as it provides a way to escape a heavy
rainstorm, thunderstorm and, of course, hail. A small kids hard plastic pool is
a great idea for them to lay in and cool off. And most importantly, never leave
your dog unattended in a vehicle.
Many dogs perish every year from being left
in a car. Even with the windows open, the interior of the car can heat up very
fast, inducing an oven-like environment with no escape.
If you see signs of heat stroke in your pet, get them to the
vet immediately. Enroute, cover the dog with cold wet towels to try to reduce
body temperature. According to Dr. Lila Miller, "symptoms of
overheating in pets include excessive panting or difficulty breathing,
increased heart and respiratory rate, drooling, mild weakness, stupor or even
collapse. They can also include seizures, bloody diarrhea and vomit along with
an elevated body temperature of over 104 degrees."
Grooming tips for hot weather:
How does grooming and coat care factor into keeping your
pets comfortable in the summer heat? First off, I would like to mention nail
care. The weather is great and we are out with our pets more than ever, so a
good nail trim and shaping will help with your dog’s ability to walk, run and
hike with you without breaking or splitting a nail. Dogs that usually get their
hair cut all year long might like to get a slightly shorter cut for easy
maintenance through the summer months. Too short is not good, as dogs are also
prone to sunburn and bug bites or stings. And finally, double coated dogs! It
is not necessary or recommended to shave down double coated dogs and may even
harm their coat.
Shelties, collies, shepherd types and other medium to long
haired breeds do not need to be shaved off. A good bath and brush to remove
dead hair and mats is the best way to keep these guys comfortable.
Dogs pant to get rid of excess body heat, they do not
sweat as we do. Taking off the hair does nothing to keep them cool, but having
that hair there to protect their skin from the sun, bugs and burrs is of
greater benefit!
Have a great summer and have fun with your furry friends!
Lori Iverson
BARKS N BUBBLES PET SPA
Professional Groomer
Vet Tech (ret)
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