Hot Times in the Summertime
Surviving the hot temperatures with your pet.
Summer is a time that we need to be extra diligent in keeping our pets cool so that overheating does not occur. We all are embracing this time of year, summer vacations, walks in the parks and extended hours of daylight. With that comes some risks that we need to plan for and consider. While we approach these heated temperatures there is much to consider.
Planning can avoid a big problem ahead. Heat related concerns should be your utmost priority. Always provide plenty of fresh water. Dogs only sweat through the pads of their feet and by panting. Evaporation from the wet surfaces of their nose and mouth help to lower body temperature.
Horses can be hosed off to help them cool down on a hot day!
A pet should never be left in a parked car, not even if the windows are cracked and the car is in the shade. This is EXTREMELY DANGEROUS! The temperature on a 70° day can rise above 150° in a matter of minutes. This is a major cause of heatstroke.
Heatstroke can kill humans as well as our pets! Here in the south where our temperatures soar above 90 degrees and our humidity is very high, it can interfere with our bodies ability to cool. When pets become hot, they pant, whereas humans sweat to burn off the excess heat in our bodies. Yet as the humidity rises, it becomes more difficult to cool and control the excess heat. Additionally, the types of nasal passages an animal has can also contribute to heat issues. For example: brachiocephalic breeds have not only more narrowed nasal passages but also shorter ones, thus making it more difficult to move air through the passageways to aid in their cooling. This also applies to cats as well, for example Persians and Himalayans. Such breeds are more predisposed too heatstroke.
Further, overweight animals are more disposed to heat related issues due to all the additional fat they carry around that acts as insulation! The heat becomes trapped in their bodies and can limit their breathing capacity.
Finally, the very young and very old pets can succumb to heat extremes since their bodies can be compromised due to failing organ systems in the elderly and not mature temperature regulating systems in the very young.
So, what kind of signs should an owner look for in an animal suspected of having a heatstroke? A pet with a heat stroke will have rapid panting, warm dry or hot skin, twitching muscles, a rapid heart rate, a very high fever, diarrhea, vomiting, collapse, and seizures! This is considered a medical emergency!
If you suspect your pet has had a heatstroke, wrap it in a cool, not cold, wet towel or place them in a bathtub with cool water. SEEK VETERINARY ATTENTION IMMEDIATELY!
To aid in prevention of a heatstroke, an owner should do the following: always provide plenty of fresh clean water; provide adequate shelter for your pet during the heat of the day; avoid excess exercise with your pet on extremely hot days; keep your outdoor kennels well ventilated; and finally keep your long-haired pets groomed shorter during the hot weather.
Let’s walk
You want to walk your dog in a shaded grassy area because grass is not the best conductor of solar energy. With trees blocking out the sunlight, it helps grass become cooler than the average air temperature. In this case, on a hot 95-degree day, a shaded grassy area would only be 90 degrees.
But when the grass is not in the shade, it’s a slightly different story. Temperatures can reach the triple digits. In this scenario, it can reach 105 degrees.
Concrete
When it comes to concrete, that’s when it starts to get dangerous.
On a 95 degree day, concrete can get as hot as 125 degrees in minutes. Why? Because concrete, found on sidewalks, is a good conductor of solar energy and it can easily transfer that into heat energy.
With concrete that hot, paw burns can occur in five minutes or less, depending on how hot it is in the afternoon hours.
Asphalt
The same could be said for asphalt, which is commonly found on roads.
On a hot 95-degree day, asphalt can get as hot as 140 degrees in minutes. Like concrete, it, too, is a much better conductor of solar energy.
And at 140 degrees, it can only take one minute for your pup to suffer serious paw burns!
How to avoid paw burns
Preventing paw burns is as simple as walking your dog early in the morning and later in the evening when temperatures are lowest.
If you must, consider the mid afternoon, use a shaded area, preferably a grassy area, to walk your pup.
Sun and the Sand
Sand can be rough on your pup's tender paws.
If your dog has a history of damaged or sensitive paws, there are types of paw waxes that can create a barrier between those delicate pads and the hot granules of sand. Sand can also cause damage if it gets on the dog's face.
Dogs who visit the beach are in danger of what veterinarians call intestinal sand impaction.
This condition can make dogs very sick and is potential life-threatening, typically requiring emergency veterinary intervention. A lot of people don't think about it very much but sand is fairly dangerous for a dog to ingest. Sand impaction is the most common issue for dogs, which is basically a digestive problem. If your dog eats a lot of sand it can end up sitting there in the intestinal tract and cause a lot of problems.
What happens if I don’t shower my dog after the beach?
Do I need to wash my dog after the beach? You should always give your pet a thorough rinse after a trip to the beach to remove any sand or salt that has built up in their fur, which could cause skin irritation. Some dogs with longer hair or more sensitive skin may require a full bath after the beach.
Have pet, will travel
Your bags are packed, you’re about to embark on that destination that you have planned for. You may be on this vacation with just your pet, or the entire family. Having a plan set fourth is extremely important. Traveling with our pets can be exciting as they will encounter a new place to discover. With these outings, hazards can present themselves. We may need to hit those rest stops along the way. More pets are lost outside of their surroundings every year vacationing. Please be sure to secure your pet with the proper harness. Just as you are excited to explore, they are as well. The only difference is that they are completely dependent on you to ensure their safety.
Have a plan, before stopping your vehicle, make sure your pet will not exit without a harness in place. If you are traveling alone, never remove the harness while securing your pet in the proper pet carrier. Danger awaits along these busy roadways. Prepare for the what if, just as you are secured and belted in, so should your pet. Carriers can be secured with a seatbelt, providing them the safety they need in case of an accident. An action plan not only creates for less stress into the unknown, it also ensures for a wonderful and restful vacation. Remember an unknown environment can only become a danger zone with those who are unprepared. Never underestimate your pet’s needs in discovery.
Additional Safety Measures:
Be cautious and avoid those rest stops, your pet can pick up other germs from other animals. Different states welcome different health issues that your pet may not be immune to. It is encouraged to allow your pet other options for their relief breaks along the way.
Remember to travel with plenty of water and your pet’s traditional diet.
Be sure to have your pet microchipped as well as a name tag with accurate information, if lost.
Always travel with your pet’s complete medical vaccination and laboratory history, in case of an emergency that may include a trip to an emergency veterinarian.
"And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow in fast movies, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer." —F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby
Here at Companion Animal Veterinary Services, Inc. our team would like to wish you and your family a safe a happy summer.
Blog written: Doreen Levers