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Summer dog health in Colorado
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Enjoy summer with your best friends!
The summer months that are approaching quickly will bring much warmer weather to the Colorado area. Would you like some tips to keep your family friends healthy? Well, here are a few pieces of advice that experts have given for the many dog owners out there:
1) Never leave your dog alone in a parked vehicle. Even with the windows open, the temperature inside the vehicle can raise drastically. This quick temperature change can potentially lead to heatstroke or even death. Be especially careful with dogs that have dark fur or flat faces such as pugs, they tend to overheat at a more accelerated pace.
- Note: If your dog is left in intense heat for a long period of time, here are the signs to look for indicating heatstroke:
• Rapid breathing and increased heart rate
• Discolored gums – usually dull gray or a very light pink color
• Disorientation – not aware of its surroundings
• Wild or panicked expression
* If you believe your dog is suffering heatstroke, contact medical attention immediately. To help lower your dog’s body temperature while waiting for help, place the dog in a shady area with plenty of room to breathe. Then pour cool water on the belly where there is little hair and on the pads of all four feet.
2) Avoid running or other strenuous activities with your pets during the day. Try to stick to exercising with them during the early morning hours or later evening. No matter if your dog is exercising or not, always keep him or her very hydrated. However, if you are letting your dog cool off in a pool remember never to leave the dog alone if the pool does not have a way for the dog to easily step out on its own.
3) Avoid taking your dog near areas you suspect may have been sprayed with pesticide or fertilizer. Consuming, sometimes simply inhaling, these chemicals can be fatal to dogs of all breeds.
4) Be sure to keep your dog on a leash for the most part because more dogs are hit by cars and involved in fights during the summer than any other time of the year.
5) Keeping your dog groomed more regularly and having its vaccinations up to date will help protect your pet through the heat. An undercoat that is left unattended is a good breeding ground for bacteria that can cause your dog to become very sick.
6) Last, but certainly not least, make sure that your dog has access to the coolest parts of the house including the basement or other rooms with well-circulated air conditioning.
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