GENERAL INFORMATION

DOGS AND HEAT STRESS

The savage sun is no friend to your pets. Without even realising it, many pet owners make tragic mistakes that just shouldn't happen.

Unlike humans, most animals can’t sweat to reduce body heat. Instead, dogs and cats lose heat by panting but there is a limit as to the amount of heat they can shed in this manner.

The commonest mistake is where a dog dies after being left in a hot car. This should never happen, but it does, time and time again.

The rules are simple. At this time of year,

• Never leave a dog in a vehicle on a warm day.
• Not even in the shade.
• Not even with the windows down.
• Not even for a few minutes. Never!

Many say, “But I’m only going into the shop for a litre of milk - I’ll just be a minute”. The ‘just a minute’ extends very quickly if the shop is busy or if you happen to meet a talkative friend.

The type of car you drive is also relevant. Those with large glass areas such as hatchbacks and those that are dark in colour heat up more quickly than other cars. Studies on various makes of popular cars have determined that dark coloured hatchback cars heat up the quickest with temperatures reaching 73 degrees centigrade during testing. This was almost double the outside temperature. In six minutes the temperature of most cars is up to 55 degrees centigrade. If your dog is in the car at this temperature, it will be near death.

No matter how healthy your dog is it will not survive if locked in a hot car..

Jogging dogs
Extra care needs to be taken when you are out jogging with your dog this summer. Naturally, jog or walk in the cooler times of day, either early morning or late evening, and stop if your dog is struggling to keep up. A dog is so faithful that it won't want to be left behind and will ignore those vital messages from its body that say ‘stop’ and is in danger of collapse from heat stress.

Backyard bungles
Many animals in gardens, yards and paddocks also suffer heat stress. Any animal tethered is at risk. Many die from heat stress when tethered. Animals confined in concrete pens are also at risk, as they cannot escape the unforgiving heat.

If you must tether your animal or have an animal in an enclosure, be sure that you provide suitable shade for the entire day. An aluminium kennel in the full sun is nothing other than a giant cooker. Kennels must be in the shade for the whole day and you should insulate the roof.

Naturally, all animals need water and the bowls should always be placed in the shade. In this heat, two water bowls are needed, should one be overturned.

Emergency care
Heat stroke causes incredible damage. Affected animals will first appear agitated, followed by loss of balance and seizures, as the blood vessels in the brain engorge. A coma will follow. Heart failure is common. The animal is at grave risk.

Emergency first aid is vital and you will need to get to a vet quickly. While you are contacting your vet, cool the animal by placing it in a room temperature (not iced) water bath or by hosing it. Place the wet animal in front of the fan and apply ice packs to its head.

 

CLIPPING YOUR DOGS CLAW’S

Dog toenails grow as do human fingernails and toenails. The nails should be kept in good trim to avoid scratching when the dog paws at a bare human leg and to keep the dog's structure as sound as possible. Long nails can cause the dog to rock back on his paws, causing strain on his leg assemblies and interfering with his gait.

Sometimes, dog nails grind down if the dog exercises on concrete. Otherwise, the nails should be trimmed regularly. Nail trimmers are available at pet supply stores for the job.

Dog nails have a blood supply or quick but the end of the nails are dead tissue and can be clipped without pain. The trick is to trim as close to the quick as possible without actually cutting it and causing it to bleed. The quick appears as a dark line in white nails but is almost impossible to see in dark nails. The best way to begin trimming is to clip only the sharp, curved portion of the nail and then work back a bit towards the paw. Clip only a small bit at a time to avoid trouble.

The easiest way is to accustom dogs to having their feet handled daily so they'll sit still for this essential part of good grooming. Adult dogs may be more difficult, especially if they hate having their feet handled or have at some stage had their nails cut back to far at some time.

Squeamish owners can make an appointment with someone at the B.D.O.C dog shop to have their nails clipped.