Dog Days of Summer

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The dog days of summer bring sweltering waves of heat, so we languish, and so do our dogs, longing for cooling, refreshing relief from these hot, muggy days. Many believe that the phrase “dog days of summer” stems from the fact that dogs tend to be a bit on the lazy side during the hottest days of the year, and who can blame them.? Covered with fur, dogs can overheat easily, but the phrase doesn’t refer to lethargic dogs lying around on hot humid days. It actually refers to the summer sky, and a time when Romans called the hottest, most humid days of summer to “Dog Days” because they associated the hottest days with the brightest star in the constellation which was known as the “dog star.” The fact is that although the dog days of summer are usually the hottest, they don’t have anything to do with either dogs, or the star Sirius. Instead, the tilt of the earth explains why these days tend to be the summer’s hottest.

Dogs find summer’s high temperatures challenging….they have sweat glands only in their paws, so they don’t sweat…a dog’s primary means of cooling himself is through panting, and as the temperature and humidity rise, the inefficiency of this system becomes apparent. A dog in warm weather need your special attention, and you need to enforce limits during hot weather. Some of the common causes of heat stress include:

  • leaving the dog in a car…even in the shade or with the windows open…or leaving her in a hot room or garage with insufficient air flow.
  • excessive exercise, or exercise when it is extremely hot outside. Paws can get burned on hot asphalt. When the air temperature is 77 degrees, asphalt temp will be 125 degrees; when air temperature is 86 degrees, asphalt temp will be 135 degrees, and when air temperature is 87 degrees, asphalt temp will be 143 degrees. At 125 degrees skin destruction can occur in just sixty seconds, and paws will get burned. It it’s too hot for your bare feet it is too hot for your dog’s paws.
  • lack of fresh water. Make sure your dog ALWAYS has fresh, cool water. On really hot days, toss a few ice cubes into the water. If you go for a walk, always carry along water and a bowl for your dog.
  • lack of shade….if you are going to be outside very long, he will need shade. If you can’t find a natural shady area, a pop-up tent or umbrella can provide temporary help.
  • sunburn. Despite their furry coats, dogs can still be exposed and damaged by UV rays. Coating their fur and skin with DOGGY UV protectant sunblock will help prevent burns.

A cool pool is always appreciated. Aside from panting, dogs cool down through the sweat glands in their paws. Most dogs love standing, sitting (or rolling around) in a pool of cool water.

Beating the heat is especially tough for backyard dogs ….baking in the summer sun in a barren yard, day after day, week after week, takes its toll and kills many of these poor animals. Sometimes, the owner is not aware of the dangers, and a tactful visit will improve the situation. If this approach does not work, you need to call animal control before it is too late.

A dog’s main weapons against the heat are water…..lots of cold, clean water, and lots of shade.

Summer pet safely isn’t difficult, but it requires some attention. Watch over your dog the way you would a small child…protect him from too much heat, too much sun, and other summer dangers, and both you and your four-footed friend will enjoy the dog days of summer.

 

Don’t Let Your Dog Cook!

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Temperatures have soared the past few weeks, with sweltering heat that can be dangerous for pets, and leaving your pet in a vehicle can quickly have hazardous consequences. Children and pets should never be left alone in parked cars because sunlight can spike car interiors to lethal temperatures in just a few minutes, even if the weather is relatively mild. Catherine McLaren, at Stanford University, conducted research on car heating, and concluded that regardless of outside air temps, the car heated up at a similar rate—gaining 80% of its final temperature within 30 minutes, and cars that started out at comfortable 71 degrees spiked to over 115 degrees …and cracking the windows open made very little difference. In one study begun at 7:45 a.m., a car was left on the shaded side of a building with two windows open. The outside temperature was 75 degrees, and at 9;30 the temp inside the car was 130 degrees while the outside temperature was not yet 90 degrees. Other studies have shown that the temperature inside a car can reach 200 degrees if parked in direct sunlight.

A dog left in a hot car will struggle to get out, and the more he struggles, the faster his temperature will rise, and it doesn’t take long for him to begin suffering irreparable brain damage or death. Every year many dogs die agonizing deaths in parked cars… Don’t let this happen to your dog. Be kind, and leave him home!

If you see a dog that needs immediate help, remember it is illegal to break the window; it is property damage and anyone can be held liable for damages, but it is important to act quickly. Write down the car’s make, model, and license-plate number, and if there are businesses nearby, notify the manager or security guard, asking them to make an announcement to find the car’s owner. If you feel the dog is in immediate danger, or no owner responds within a few minutes, call the local police or animal control, and wait for them to arrive.

I have already seen several dogs at risk this summer, and I would guess you have too, so it is important to be prepared to call for help: have the phone numbers of both your animal control agency and the police department, and keep these numbers in your purse or programmed into your phone. Every minute counts!

Get involved by asking local store managers, restaurants, and other businesses to post signs asking customers to not leave their pets in their cars while shopping or dining , and if your town doesn’t have a law prohibiting leaving pets in parked cars, contact your local council or area representatives. It is never cool to cook your dog!

 

Recognize the Danger Signs of Heat Exhaustion

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It is hot. Really hot and humid, and as the temperatures soar, so does the danger of your dog suffering from heatstroke. We already know that dogs have more difficulty controlling their body temperature in warm weather than humans do. In fact, when we are mildly uncomfortable in the heat, our dogs are likely very uncomfortable simply because they are not equipped with many sweat glands as people have.

On hot days, a dog gradually escalates his cooling mechanisms. First he begins to pant, exposing his tongue and mouth to air. Then he lets his tongue hang out to further increase surface area. The blood vessels under the mucous membranes dilate in an attempt to improve heat exchange across the moist surfaces. Finally, the shape of the tongue changes… it gets wider at the tip, often turning upward and flaring the outside edges. When exercising your dog in warm weather, always watch his tongue. If you hear him panting loudly or see the end of his tongue widening, your dog has just used his last cooling mechanism, and may be moving into heat exhaustion, which can result in heatstroke. It’s time to take a rest and get him to a cool location immediately.

Hot, humid weather is not the only cause of heatstroke. Extreme activity alone can cause heatstroke, and when added to warm weather, it can quickly become deadly. This can be a real problem for the canine athlete. The muscles provide a portion of a sleeping dog’s body heat, and when the dog uses his muscles to exercise the amount of heat produced by the muscles can increase greatly over that of a dog at rest. A working dog’s body temp may rise from normal to 105 degrees or even higher in just minutes, which explains why long – distance sled dogs can become overheated at low temperatures.

First signs of heat exhaustion are heavy, rapid breathing, a widened tongue, and drooling. If not immediately moved to a cool area, the dog will begin to show signs of heatstroke, including rapid pulse, glazed eyes, elevated body temperature, failure to respond to commands, warm, dry skin, excessive whining or agitation, staggering, vomiting, and eventual collapse. It is important to note that only one of these symptoms has to be present to indicate the dog may be in trouble.

Be proactive and address environmental causes of heatstroke ahead of time. Provide shade and plenty of water if your dog is to be outdoors for any length of time. Take walks during cooler morning or evening hours and, although it seems obvious, NEVER leave your dog in a car, or tied outside in the sun.

If you see signs of heatstroke, immediate action is needed. Start soaking him with cool water. Do NOT use ice-cold water because that can constrict blood vessels and worsen the condition. Once the dog is wet, if available, a fan or air conditioner pointed in her direction is helpful. As soon as possible, get the dog to your vet, who will continue treatment as well as administer intravenous fluids or an enema to cool her from the inside.

Be alert to the possibility of canine heatstroke, and curb your dog’s enthusiasm when necessary on these hot humid days, so both humans and canines can enjoy the long, wonderful dog days of summer.

Keep your dog safe & cool all summer

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Dogs love to be outside even in the warmest months of the year, but it is important to understand how your dog handles the heat. There is a big difference between the way a human’s body processes hot temps and the way a dog’s body handles it. Humans cool down by sweating with the approximately two million sweat glands found throughout the entire human body. Dogs don’t sweat. The only sweat glands they have are on the nose and the pads of the feet. The primary way they bring their temp down is through panting and breathing. The lining of their lungs, which are moist, serve as the evaporative surface. There is a common notion that a dog’s tongue contains sweat glands, but this in a fallacy. Some minimal cooling occurs as your dog pants and draws air over moist surfaces in his mouth, but there are no sweat glands in the oral cavity. Dogs can overheat quickly, so it is important to stay alert for signs of overheating, which include excessive panting and drooling, accompanied by an elevated body temperature. They love to play right through the summer heat, so it is up to the caregiver to limit exercise and activity in the extreme heat.

Dogs love frozen treats, but they are a bit messy. Best if served on an easy-to-clean surface, a giant dog popsicle will not only help them keep cool in hot weather, but it will help keep them from becoming bored during the long hot days. Fill a large ice cream tub or any plastic container with water and freeze (to make it even more special, mix in a few treats). Recipes for dog popsicles can be varied so there are different tastes. Please remember that popsicles don’t substitute for a separate source of fresh water. A dog popsicle is great, but won’t be adequate to meet your dog’s hydration needs.

Some creative additions for your dog popsicle:

  • Cut up apples
  • Baby carrots
  • Meat broth (chicken, turkey or beef) for flavor
  • Peanut butter
  • Mashed up bananas
  • Yogurt
  • Chucks of cheese
  • Be creative, but Do NOT add raisins or grapes …they are toxic to dogs!

You can also make up small frozen goodies in ice cube trays or plastic cups or any “mold” that you can remove once your popsicle is frozen.

Yummy Ice Cube Tray Treats

A great recipe for a yummy treat made in ice cube trays can be made by combining:

  • a ripe banana,
  • a cup of meat broth
  • ½ cup yogurt.
  1. Mix well & pour into empty ice cube trays and freeze
  2. When frozen solid, pop out and place in plastic bags.

Another favorite with almost all dogs is Cheesy-Burger Pops made with just 3 ingredients: crumbled up cooked ground beef , grated cheese, and low fat, low sodium chicken (or beef) broth.

Cheesy-Burger Pops

  • Scoop ½ tsp of ground beef into each section of an ice cube tray.
  • Crumble a little grated cheese on top
  • Pour chicken stock over ingredients.
  • Freeze until solid

A little extra effort will assure that your dog will stay cool and comfortable in spite of summer’s heat!

Rising Temps – A Risk to Your Dog

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Sometimes what seems like fun for you and your dog can be hazardous to his health, and hot weather and outdoor activities can pose situational and environmental risks for him, ranging from poisoning and heatstroke.

  • Failure to provide adequate water is one of the most common mistakes that caregivers make. It is essential that your pets have fresh drinking water at ALL times throughout the day. Dehydration can lead to organ failure and even death.
  • Every summer, hundreds of reports document situations where an animal is at risk in a parked car. On a mild 73 degree day, the temperature inside a car can reach 120 degrees in minutes, and on a 90 degree day, the interior of a vehicle can reach 160 degrees. The majority of the cases reported involve a person who was “just running into the store for a minute,” and the dog is quickly in a life-threatening situation. If you have errands to run, LEAVE THE DOG AT HOME. If you see a dog in distress in a car, take down the car’s color, make, model, and license-plate number, have the owner paged inside the nearby stores, and call the authorities. If necessary, call again, and wait until the police arrive.
  • Don’t transport your dog in the bed of a pickup. This is always dangerous, but the heat brings added danger of burning the dog’s feet on the hot metal. (Hot pavement can also burn dogs’ paws, so be sure to walk your dog in the cooler time of day. Rest often, take plenty of water, and choose shady routes.)
  • Trim your dog’s fur, but leave an inch for protection against sunburn and insects. Dog friendly sunscreen should be used in areas where the hair is thin.
  • Be sensitive to older and overweight animals in hot weather. Snub-nosed dogs and those with heart or lung diseases should be kept in air-conditioned rooms as much as possible in hot weather.
  • Don’t allow your dogs in areas that have been recently sprayed with insecticides, pesticides or other chemicals. They can poison your pet.
  • If your dog swims, rinse her off with fresh water to get rid of sand and salt that can dry her skin or irritate her eyes. Don’t allow her to drink water from pools and ponds.
  • Insect sting and bites can spell trouble for pets. A sting around the mouth or throat can cause swelling enough to restrict the animal’s breathing, and some animals have allergic reactions to stings which can require immediate vet care.

Be a watchdog for chained animals. If they do not have food, water, and shelter, try to talk to the animal’s caregivers. Without being judgmental, explain the dangers involved. If an animal is suffering, contact authorities immediately. You may be the dog’s only chance for survival. Get involved….it’s the right thing to do.

By following basic precautions, both you and your furbaby will enjoy the long, wonderful days of summer.

In the good old summertime

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Summer is a time for both you and your dog to enjoy the sunshine and outdoors, but along with the fun, there are some dangers for your animal. To keep your companion animals safe this summer:

  • NEVER leave him in a parked car. The temperature in a car can reach 120 degrees in just minutes even on a moderately warm day. If you see an animal in a parked car, alert the management of the store, and if the owner does not respond promptly, call the police. Take a look at this public awareness video by Dr. Ernie Ward: http://youtu.be/JbOcCQ-y3OY.
  • Summer is often when people fertilize their lawns and work in their gardens. Plant food, fertilizer, and insecticides can be fatal if your dog ingests them. In addition, more than 700 plants can cause harmful effects in animals…complete lists of toxic plants can be found at www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/plant-list-dogs.
  • Heartworm disease is transmitted by mosquitoes which are abundant this year, so be sure that your dog is taking heartworm prevention medication prescribed by your veterinarian.
  • Dogs can’t perspire and can only dispel heat by panting and through the pads of their feet, so it is important to provide plenty of water and shade while they’re enjoying the great outdoors so that they can stay cool.
  • Dogs need exercise even when it is hot, but extra care needs to be taken to limit exercise to early morning or evening hours. Keep in mind that cement and asphalt get very hot and can burn your pet’s paws.
  • Fleas and ticks are another summertime threat! Use only flea and tick treatments recommended by your veterinarian. Some over-the-counter products can be toxic, even when used according to instructions.
  • Pets can get sunburned too, and your dog may require sunscreen on her nose and ear tips. Those with light-colored noses or light-colored fur on their ears are particularly vulnerable to sunburn (and skin cancer). Don’t shave the coat of a long-haired dog too closely for his “summer coat.” Hair helps insulate and control body temperature, and exposed skin is more susceptible to sunburn.
  • Avoid taking your dog to crowded summer events such as rock concerts or fairs. The loud noises and crowds, combined with the heat, can be stressful and dangerous for pets. For their well-being, leave them home!

Charles Newing remembers the good old summer time with nostalgia, recalling a time when he and his big old dog just sat on the front porch, enjoying each other’s company:

Are rocking chairs in this country, I’m asking myself, being rocked on summer evenings as much as they once were? Or do they stand abandoned and motionless on deserted porches across the land? Do humans still find a place under the shade trees to take naps with their beloved four-legged companions, now that the air conditioned homes offer relief from the pesky flies and blistering heat? How often do they engage in a game of fetch- the- stick, or bring- me –the- ball now that they have their laptops and i-pods and cell phones?

Emily Dickinson, in a letter from 1856, noticed the awesomeness of summer, writing, “If God had been here this summer, and had seen the things that I have seen—I guess that He would think His Paradise superfluous.” I can’t brag in this same fashion about our summer this year, because of all the rain, (and the humungous size of the mosquitoes) but we have been so busy that we haven’t really taken time to enjoy much of anything.

I seldom take time to walk around the block with my dog, much less rock on the front porch….and now that I think about it, I don’t have a front porch any more.  But even without a front porch, (and no rocking chair), the world won’t stop spinning if I ignore all my “to-do” lists and obligations (and turn off my cell phone) for a little while. The good old summer time will be gone too quickly, so come on, fella, let’s go out under the shady elm tree and take a good long nap…then maybe we can have a game of fetch.

Heatstoke Can Be A Deadly Killer

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Hot weather has arrived, and as the temperature rises, so does the danger of heatstroke. People have efficient ways to keep cool during the summer months, with air conditioners and fans, and we sweat, but dogs don’t have air conditioners that they can turn on and off, and they don’t even have the ability to sweat. They rely primarily on panting to regulate their body heat, and sometimes their natural temperature-lowering mechanisms don’t work well, especially if they have been exercising too much or been confined in a hot, stuffy environment. The result is heat exhaustion which can pose serious health problems, and if the condition progresses to heatstroke, the consequences can be fatal. A dog’s normal body temperature is 100.5 to 102. Degrees Fahrenheit.

If it rises to 105, the dog is at risk for developing heat exhaustion, and if the body temp rises to 107 degrees, he has entered the dangerous zone of heat stroke, and it can happen quickly even if it doesn’t seem to be that hot out. Dogs can be fine one minute, running and playing, and then suddenly begin panting and progressing toward heatstroke.  Dogs who have a thick coat, heart and lung problems, or a short muzzle are at greater risk, as are puppies, overweight dogs, ill dogs, and dogs with short, wide heads, like pugs, bulldogs, and Boston Terriers.   If your dog is overheating, he may appear sluggish and unresponsive, or possibly disoriented. Excessive panting, hyperventilation, rapid or erratic pulse, weakness, confusion, vomiting and diarrhea, indicate he is in trouble, and if he continues to overheat, breathing efforts become slowed or absent, and finally seizures or coma can occur. Call your veterinarian immediately, and move the dog to a cool environment, preferably into air conditioning.  Begin cooling procedures by soaking her body with wet, cool towels. Do not use ice or ice-cold water because it can constrict blood vessels and actually worsen the condition.  Get her to a veterinary clinic right away, even if she seems to be recovering.

  • Dog caregivers can significantly reduce the threat of canine heatstroke by taking appropriate precautions.
  • Be conscientious about keeping your dog cool, hydrated, and well ventilated, and avoiding too much exercise on hot, muggy days.
  • NEVER leave your dog outside without plenty of shade and plenty of fresh water, and if you are uncomfortable in the heat, your dog is likely very uncomfortable. Do not leave him tied up outside!  *Avoid walking him during the hottest time of the day when the pavement is hot and the sun’s rays are intense.
  • NEVER leave your dog alone in a car, regardless of the temperature, for any reason at any time, as the temperature inside a car can reach a dangerous level in a matter of minutes. Leaving dogs in a car during warm weather is the most common cause of heat stroke. For more information, check out this video by veteranian Dr. Erin Ward who spent just 30 minutes inside a hot car to see what it felt like to be a dog: http://www.ivillage.com/never-leave-your-pet-hot-car/7-a-544003?ivNPA=1&sky=stu|ivl|hh|leavepetincar|
  • If you see an animal left in someone else’s parked car, notify a store employee and call law enforcement right away.

Be aware that, as temperatures soar, so do the chances that your dog can become severely overheated, and remember that the best treatment for heatstroke is prevention!

Beat the Heat – Frozen Banana Treats

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Summer has definitely arrived, and since dogs don’t sweat, at least not the way we do, it is important to help keep your dog cool.  Dogs that are left unattended in back yards face danger every day of their lives, but the “dog days” of summer pose a particularly dangerous threat to these “backyard” dogs. If you drive around your neighborhood, you will see many penned up or chained dogs suffering in the heat. As responsible pet caregivers, we acknowledge that it is inhumane treatment, but we seem to look the other way and are silent, and just accept the many excuses made for keeping a backyard dog. Animals are considered “property” in the eyes of the law, and some people view their dogs as “possessions.”  Others just shrug and say that people have always kept dogs that way. Some simply don’t want the animal in the house and resort to a chain to prevent him from running away, and many are just tired of the responsibility of adequately caring for a dog, or are not willing to deal with behavior problems, so simply stick him in the back yard.  Dogs depend on their humans for everything: food, water, grooming, medical care, exercise, companionship and love, and if all of those cannot be willingly provided, another home should be found for the animal.

One way in which you can help is to talk to the caregivers of these forgotten animals about a dog’s urgent needs in warm weather, and urge them to let their dogs inside during the heat waves. Perhaps they have not even considered the dangers of leaving a dog outdoors when the temperatures soar. Be willing to get involved without being judgmental. Don’t get belligerent or condescending. Maybe you could offer to walk the dog, or find another home for him.  If you have no success with that approach, and feel the dog is in immediate danger, contact law enforcement.

A simple way to make any hot dog’s day cooler is making her a giant dog Popsicle filled with raw baby carrots or apple slices, and other treats. Add your creation to a large ice cream bucket or pail that you have half-filled with water, and freeze.  When frozen solid, just pop the Popsicle out and give it to the dog. Finding a ball, a twisted rope toy, or dog treats will break the boredom that a tied or penned up dog feels.  Other ingredients that can be used are chicken or beef broth added to the water for flavor, green beans, or small chunks of cheese.  You can make up frozen goodies in ice-cube trays and then once they are frozen, add them in their cubed size to the giant dog Popsicle mixture. (For safety, do not add plastic toys or toys with sharp edges).

Another easy-to-make frozen treat that is great for keeping any dog cool is Frozen Banana-Peanut Butter Ice Cream Treats. (These are messy, so serve in an easy-to-clean-up place.)

Frozen Banana-Peanut Butter Ice Cream Treats

  1. Mix 32 ounce carton of plain yogurt, 1/2 cup peanut butter and 3 (or 4) ripe bananas, peeled and mashed.
  2. Blend all three ingredients in a blender or food processor.  (If you don’t want to bother with a food processor, just mush up the mixture…it will be lumpy, but the dogs won’t care!)
  3. Pour into 4 ounce plastic cups. Freeze until firm; then pop out and serve. If you have a small dog, put the mixture in an ice cube tray (or if you don’t have any trays, just pour some of the mixture into a plastic zippered bag and break up when you’re ready to serve)
  4. In a few hours, your doggie ice cream is ready to serve!

What’s more refreshing than a cool treat on a hot day?  Frozen treats can help anyone, two legged or four legged, beat the heat!