When the heat comes, it is natural to want to go out and get as much sun as possible. Clearly you will want to take your dog with you on your summer adventures, but you have to keep in mind that these animals do not react to heat in the same way as we do and can have a hard time cooling down when exposed to temperatures above 28 ° C. This article will teach you to understand if your furry friend is too hot, to cool them down, to protect them and to keep them healthy all summer long.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Check for Symptoms of Overheating and Dehydration
Step 1. Observe if your dog is panting excessively, drooling or has thick, sticky saliva
All of these signs indicate that the animal is hot, so if you don't take action, they could lead to heatstroke. If you notice your dog exhibiting the above symptoms, start refreshing him right away. Even if you think he's just hot and hasn't overheated yet, it's worth calling your vet and asking him for advice.
When severe, overheating can cause diarrhea, vomiting (sometimes with ejection of blood), seizures, coma, cardiac arrest, and death
Step 2. Check the elasticity of the skin to see if the dog is dehydrated
Gently pull some of the skin on the back of the animal's neck. If there is no dehydration problem, the epidermis will immediately return to its normal position. If it remains raised or shriveled, the dog may be dehydrated.
The longer it takes the skin to return to its normal position, the more severe the dehydration. Take your dog to the vet to be given an aqueous solution intravenously
Step 3. Check your gums to see if he's dehydrated
Lift the dog's lip and hold a finger against the gums until they turn white. When you take it off, they should immediately turn pink again if the dog is healthy. If they remain white or take some time to regain their normal color, it is likely that the dog is dehydrated.
If you suspect your furry friend is dehydrated, give him water immediately (if he doesn't want to drink, try wetting his tongue or just take him to the vet). Left untreated, dehydration can lead to organ collapse and death
Step 4. Watch the dog's movements
If you show signs of fatigue, weakness, light-headedness, sluggishness, you may have overheated and need medical attention. If he collapses or has seizures, take him to the vet immediately. Call him right away so he's ready to treat him as soon as you arrive.
Fatigue is one of the first symptoms of overheating. Do not forcefully drag your dog to walk and do not ignore him if he starts to lie down or is constantly looking for shade. Give it some water and take it to a cool place
Step 5. Measure the temperature
Dogs naturally have a higher temperature than humans, but if it is higher than 40 ° C it means that they have overheated, so you need to start cooling them as soon as possible and call your vet for an examination.
- Measure your rectal temperature every five minutes to track your progress.
- Once he has reached a body temperature of 39.5 ° C, stop any maneuvers used to cool him down. Dry it and keep it covered so it doesn't lose any more heat.
Step 6. Determine if you need medical attention
Dehydration and overheating can be fatal for a dog. Observe their behavior and check for severe symptoms of overheating or dehydration. If you're unsure, call your vet or a veterinary clinic and discuss your dog's symptoms. You will probably be advised to monitor his health closely or take him so that he can be treated.
Method 2 of 3: Cool Down the Dog
Step 1. Make plenty of fresh water available to him
Make sure the bowl is clean and hasn't been in the sun all day - if you don't wash it and change the water, bacteria can grow inside. Do not force him to drink and do not pour water into his mouth even if he refuses to drink it, otherwise there is a risk that it will enter the lungs and suffocate the animal.
- If he doesn't drink, try moistening his tongue with water. You can use your hand or wring a water-soaked cloth on your tongue.
- Do not give him frozen water or ice if you are concerned that he has overheated. By doing so, you run the risk of cooling it too quickly and causing a thermal shock.
Step 2. Take the dog to a cool area
Bring it indoors as soon as you can. If you are outdoors and can move it, take it back to your car or home. If there is a pond or stream nearby, submerge it and give it some cooling before you go home. At least try to find a place in the shade.
- Try to take him to a place with air conditioning or a fan that you can place in his direction.
- Once he is in a cooler area, evaluate the symptoms and call the vet. You will probably need to have him rushed to hospital.
Step 3. Lower the dog's temperature by placing a few towels soaked in cool water on the neck, under the front legs (between the armpits) and between the hind legs (around the groin)
They should be fresh, not cold. Do not apply ice or an ice pack, as you need to allow the temperature to drop gradually. If it drops too quickly or fails to descend slowly, it could be just as dangerous as overheating.
- If you don't have towels handy, you can cool your dog by pouring room temperature water over the body.
- Moisten the pinnae and paw pads. Most of the dog's sweat glands are located between the paws, so cooling them can lower the body temperature.
- You can also try to cool it by evaporation by rubbing the pads and groin with isopropyl alcohol. Evaporative cooling works on the same principles as sweating: as the alcohol evaporates, the dog's body loses heat.
Method 3 of 3: Preventing Overheating
Step 1. Place the dog in a safe and cool environment
During the hottest days you should keep him indoors as much as possible (with the air conditioning on or in front of a fan) and not allow him to go outside, as he risks exposing himself to high temperatures. If he spends a lot of time outside, make sure he has a shaded area where he can cool off from the sun and plenty of fresh water to drink.
- The car is not never a safe place for a dog on a hot day, even if the cockpit is not hot, you have parked it in the shade, open a window and leave your four-legged friend alone for a moment. The temperature inside a parked car can quickly rise to 60 ° C.
- Even the garage, a beach with no covered areas and a room exposed to the heat of the sun are unsuitable environments for a dog in hot weather.
- A shady, wooded area with a shallow pond or stream is an acceptable place to walk the dog in hot weather. Make sure she has plenty of water available and be on the lookout for symptoms of fatigue and overheating.
- Soak it and keep it in water if you are out of the house. Fill a container with fresh water and give your dog a chance to cool the pads by making him sit up, stand up or, sometimes, lay him down in the water.
Step 2. Don't make him exercise too much
Especially if he is of advanced age or belongs to a short-nosed breed (such as pugs, bulldogs, Pekingese and Boston terriers), too much movement on a hot day could lead to overheating. Try not to let it run for long or walk on hot days. If you go out, notice if he is looking for shaded areas or wants to lie down. It's his way of telling you: "It's too hot. Let's get out of here."
- Sometimes, dogs don't know their limits, especially if they are country dogs who love to run, hunt and play. They can strain until they collapse, putting their lives in danger. Therefore, it is your responsibility to look out for typical symptoms of overheating or go hunting when the outside temperature is lower.
- Short-nosed dogs do not have a good internal cooling system because they are unable to pant as much as others. In fact, a dog's panting is the primary way he manages to cool down. Even normal physical activity can be excessive for these breeds in hot weather.
Step 3. Walk the dog in the coolest moments of the day
In the morning, early evening or late at night are the best times to take him for a walk - noon is not very suitable. Aside from the sun's rays and hot air, asphalt, concrete, and hot sand can also burn sensitive paw pads and cause blistering. If you can't walk barefoot, it will surely be impossible for your dog as well.
- If you go out before or after sunset, you can keep him fit by letting him get adequate exercise so he doesn't get bored or destroy his house during the day.
- Try to take it to a lawn or even alternate between curb and grass to prevent the pads from getting too hot.
Step 4. Get him some accessories to cool him down
A cool vest or collar can be a great help against overheating your dog on hot days. Some use gradual cold release gel pads, applying them to the pet's side, others immerse it in water for the heat to evaporate and leave the dog's chest. Look for something that is heat reflective and light weight.
Also, it would be wise to get him a cooler mat or raised bed so that he has a comfortable place to rest when it's too hot. These are usually portable objects, based on different cooling methods. From gel mats that cool by evaporation, to the insertion of fresh water, you have thousands of solutions at your disposal to suit your space needs and your lifestyle
Step 5. Trim your dog's coat, but don't shave it
Even though you may think your poor little dog may suffer from fur when temperatures reach 38-40 ° C, in reality the dog's coat insulates it and helps regulate its body temperature. As it keeps it warm in the winter, it keeps it cool in the summer.
- If he has long hair, it is a good idea to give him a scissor or a cut during the summer.
- Make sure you keep the coat clean and brushed. This will improve air circulation.
- Furthermore, the hair protects it from UV rays, prevents it from getting sunburned and getting skin cancer.
Step 6. Make sure he drinks enough water and give him a cold treat
It is essential to keep your dog well hydrated to avoid overheating. If he is dehydrated and has a dry tongue, his cooling system (panting) will become ineffective. If you take him outside on a hot day, make sure he drinks at least once an hour, if not more often.
