Keeping pets healthy during the summer heat

As the days are longer and the sun is hotter, more and more people are choosing to take walks and play outside with their furry companions. However, pet experts in the area say it is important to watch out for their safety during the summer months.

Whether its an indoor or an outdoor pet, there are a few precautions owners should take during the summer.

Pets do not experience heat the same as humans do and it is important to know which breeds of dogs can handle heat, and which ones that can't. Bulldogs, mastiffs, Shih Tuz and even Labrador retrievers are a few examples of dogs who do not handle heat well.

Dr. Travis J. Van De Berg at Northeast Animal Hospital said breeds that have short noses do not take heat well. For those pets, it may be safer to keep them inside and away from the summer rays.

Certain breeds such as Huskies, Australian Shepherds and Golden Retrievers have double coats. The undercoat keeps the dog cool in the summer while the topcoat is thicker and protects the dog from sun rays and bug bites. If the hair is shaved the dog will be more susceptible to heat stroke or sunburn, Van De Berg said.

'A lot of people like to shave the dogs, if it's a double coated breed, it makes them hotter if they don't have their hair,” Van De Berg said.

It still is a good idea to keep pets well groomed and without matting, or take pets to the groomer who knows the proper grooming techniques as it will keep them comfortable.

Dr. Shelly Wickham at the Washington Veterinarian Clinic, said it is a good idea to walk pets either early in the morning or later at night when the temperatures have decreased and recommended to watch out for the temperature of the sidewalk.

'The asphalt and the cement during the heat of the day can get really, really hot, and so that can cause blistering and burning of the dogs pads,” Wickham said.

Van De Berg said if a dog is lifting it's paws up like they do in the snow or lifting one paw up, putting it down and lifting it up again can be a warning sign that it's pads are too hot.

For outdoor dogs, owners need to ensure they have shade and fresh water all day. If an owner puts a shade up, they need to check it as the sun moves throughout the day.

'You need to make sure that the dog can get into the shade at all times during the day,” Wickham said.

Van De Berg said dogs that are chained up outside are the ones he most worries about as they may not have access to shade. Doghouses are not the best option as the shade needs some air movement to keep cool.

Farm dogs are more likely to dig a hole in the shade or find somewhere where it is cooler and they can get out of the summer heat.

'If a dog can get to where it's cooler, they'll move,” Van De Berg said.

Pests can also cause problems for pets during the summertime especially during the dusk and dawn. Whether the pet is going on hikes or just going outside to go to the bathroom, they can encounter pests.

'We see fleas, ticks, flies, gnats and mosquitoes,” Wickham said.

Wickham and Van De Berg said it is important to keep pets on a good flea and tick preventive and a good heartworm prevention. There are also topical products that can repel some of the other pests such as flies and mosquitoes.

Other than heat and pests, other summer activities can be dangerous for pets.

It is dangerous to leave pets in a vehicle with no air conditioning. On an 85 degree day it only takes ten minutes for the inside of a car to reach 102 degrees, according to the ASPCA. Even on a 70 degree day the inside of a car can be as much as 20 degrees hotter.

If an individual does see a pet locked in a car that may be in danger, they should contact the police as Iowa does not have laws protecting a person forcibly entering a vehicle to remove an animal.

Lawn and garden insecticides during the summertime are common and those can be toxic to animals if ingested both directly from the bottle and on the grass.

'If they're walking through the grass and then licking their paws they can ingest the product that way,” Wickham said. Owners should read the labels and keep their pets off the grass for a few day after the lawn treatment.

Owners should also watch out for their suntan lotions and other ointments and they can be toxic to pets.

Though many dogs are good swimmers, when going out on boats or swimming, Wickham and Van De Berg said it still is a good idea to have a life vest for your companion. Despite misconceptions, not all dogs are good swimmers and owners should watch their dogs closely if they are not sure.

Most dogs will just lay in the water and not fully submerge to cool off, Van De Berg said, but he recommends to avoid stagnant water such as ponds because pets can get very sick.

If a dog is overheated or has heat exhaustion, there are a few warning signs for pet owners such as restlessness, agitation, heavy panting or breathing, excessive drooling that may be really thick, bright red gums or tongue, weakness, confusion and sometime vomiting.

Dogs sunburn similar to humans and will peel or blister, Van De Berg said.

If an owner believes their dog is overheated, Van De Berg he floor or in the bottom of a bathtub and allow the dog to rest in it. There should also be a fan running to allow the water to evaporate.

'If they get and stay wet it insulates them,” Van De Berg said.

Many pets should visit the vet yearly, but older pets may have to go every six months.

The summer heat can be dangerous to pets but with the proper precautions pets and their owners can have fun in the sun.