SUMMER ADVICE

DOGS DIE IN HOT CARS

Leaving your dog in a parked car in the summer (even with the window left a few inches open), can cause heatstroke within minutes. Note: Leaving your dog in a car parked in the shade does not assure that your dog will not become seriously overheated. Shaded cars may still get very hot due to the the greenhouse effect, and the sun may also move enough to change shaded areas into sunny ones. Dogs left in parked cars also risk being stolen.

General Info: Heat exhaustion is often caused by over-exercising or running with a dog during hot weather. Both heatstroke and heat exhaustion can result in brain damage, heart failure or even death in a short period of time. Short muzzled or thick-coated breeds and mixes are particularly vulnerable, although any breed may be at risk, particularly black dogs. Always bring cool water along when walking, running or hiking with your dog during hot weather. To cool off an overheated dog, offer him plenty of water, then wet the dog's body and paws with cool water, then fan. A dog's normal internal body temperature is between 100.5 degrees F and 02 degrees F. Heatstroke is life threatening for dogs. Signs to watch for are: heavy, loud breathing, staggering gait, bright red gum tissue and tongue. If heatstroke is suspected, try to cool your dog down as quickly as possible with cool but not cold water, so as not to shock the dogs system and seek veterinary care quickly as this is a medical emergency.

If your pet is kept outdoors for any length of time during summer, make sure he has a shaded place and plenty of fresh water to drink. Your pet will need much more water in the summer to replenish what he loses by panting. Many dogs also enjoy swimming for exercise and to cool down, though they should not be allowed to swim in canals or slow moving water as there is an increased risk of leptospirosis and although dogs are vaccinated against this as part of their vaccination course they are only vacced against the more common strains and there is doubt that the vacc lasts more than six months, this is a terrible illness and often results in death. Please do not allow your dogs off lead near a canal as the high sides prevent your dog being able to climb out if he should fall in.

Heatstroke is life threatening for dogs. Signs to watch for are: heavy, loud breathing, staggering gait, bright red gum tissue and tongue. If heatstroke is suspected, try to cool your dog down as quickly as possible with cool but not cold water, so as not to shock the dogs system and seek veterinary care quickly as this is a medical emergency.

Prevent your dog from hanging his head out of a moving car or truck window when taking him for a ride. Bugs, small pebbles and other debri can injure his eyes, and he is also at risk of jumping out of the vehicle. Also, closing automatic car windows while your dog is hanging his head out of the car window can cause him or her serious harm.

Open Windows, Fire Escapes and Rooftops

During hot weather, many people leave a few windows open in their home to help create a nice cool cross-breeze. If you have a dog or cat at home, be certain to install secure window screens (or safety bars) in any of the windows which will be left open, or close all windows before leaving the house, if your dog sees or hears something exciting outside he may use an open window as an escape route even if he has never done so previously, also many companion animals fall out of windows, and fire-escapes every year and are often seriously injured or killed.

Protect Your Dog From Being Stolen

Companion animal theft is unfortunately a serious problem in this country. The number of companion animals that are stolen from backyards and from outside stores and supermarkets increases dramatically throughout Spring, Summer and Fall. Even the "safest" neighborhoods are not immune to this growing problem. The bottom line is: never leave your dog unsupervised if there is any risk that your dog could be poisoned or stolen.

If your pet is kept outdoors for any length of time during summer, make sure he has a shaded place and plenty of fresh water to drink. Your pet will need much more water in the summer to replenish what he loses by panting. Many dogs also enjoy swimming for exercise and to cool down.

TAKING YOUR DOG ON HOLIDAY

Please ensure that you have a tag made up with the address where you are staying and a contactable telephone number ie a mobile number if you leave on his usual tag and he goes missing whilst on holiday there will be no one at home to take the call should he be found, the same applies if your dog is to go to boarding kennels whilst you are away so in that case have a tag engraved with the address of the kennels and telephone number and also your own mobile number also if your dog is microchipped give the kennels your dogs microchip number in case he escapes, if this occurs whilst on holiday with you inform the chip company immediately your dog goes missing giving your current location.