Dog Health and Safety - Summer

Summer is a great time to be outdoors with your dog! Below are some tips for keeping outings safe and fun.

• Heat in the summer is an obvious concern for dogs. Dog's don't cool as efficiently as humans, so be sure to keep your dogs cool and hydrated. If they are active outdoors, take frequent breaks and offer water. Dogs with shorter snouts or longer coats can be more prone to heat injuries in our current weather. Much of a dog's natural cooling is done through their mouths with panting. It's important to not only monitor your dog closely, but to be familiar with their normal appearance - particularly their eyes, attention or focus, and the size and wetness of their tongue. A dog that is getting overly warm will start to lose focus, and its tongue will lose moisture, reducing the dog's a ability to cool itself. Prevention is worth it's weight in gold!
  
  
• Water, shade and air conditioning are good ways to get your pet cooled down if you notice problems early on. Do not over-do it on water. Water weighs 8.3 lbs. per gallon, and a large volume of water in a dog's stomach can lead to gastric torsion (bloat). Oral electrolyte solutions in such cases are either not necessary (slight overheating) or not effective (severe overheating).
  
  
• If simple methods to keep your dog cool are not effective, you can pour water over your dog (not too cold), which will cool him/her as it evaporates. It's important to keep the dog in an area with moving air currents after wetting it down so that this cooling takes place. Crating the dog after wetting it will not allow sufficient cooling. Once your dog is improving you can dry it off and let it cool more passively. If you continue wetting your dog to encourage further evaporative cooling, you can cause its temperature to drop too low which causes further problems. Tips for cooling a dog in distress can be found here. If at any time your dog's condition worsens or does not quickly improve, seek Veterinary assistance immediately. Thermal injuries (heat stroke) are life threatening and need immediate intervention with IV fluids and closely monitored cooling.
  
  
• If you're walking your dog on paved surfaces, make sure you consider that asphalt can become too hot for paws and pads this time of year. Feeling the temperature with the back of your hand is a good way to tell - if it's too hot to keep the back of your hand on the asphalt comfortably, then it's too hot for your pet. Remember that temps near the ground can be significantly warmer than those near your head and torso. Think about the heat near your legs, not on your face, when outdoors with your pet.
  
  
• If there are unusual amounts of rain, high water levels in creeks and rivers can see dogs swept up in high waters, and also in drainage systems during short term flooding. High water and fast moving water is very dangerous - respect it and keep your pet out.
  
  
• Most dogs can swim, but not all can. Don't assume your dog is a natural and/or good swimmer. Some dog's don't enjoy water - don't force them to go swimming.
  
  
• Algae blooms can occur at any time, but most often occur in late summer or early fall. They can occur in marine, estuarine, and fresh waters, but the blooms of greatest concern are the ones that occur in fresh water, such as drinking water reservoirs or recreational waters. Swallowing water with the toxins from this algae can result in gastroenteritis, liver toxicity, kidney toxicity, and neuro toxicity. There are no known treatments for exposures beyond supportive therapy. Some cyanobacterial blooms can look like foam, scum, or mats on the surface of fresh water lakes and ponds. The blooms can be blue, bright green, brown, or red - and may look like paint floating on the water. Some blooms may not affect the appearance of the water. As algae in a cyanobacterial bloom die, the water may smell bad.
  
  
• Moist ground and warm weather are ideal conditions for fleas, ticks and mosquitos. Make sure your dog is protected using products recommended by your veterinarian.
  
  
• Plants thrive during summer weather. Mushrooms, poisonous plants, and general heavy growth can cause hazards where they may not be found during other seasons - don't be complacent. Check out areas visited by your dogs, and supervise them closely to make certain they aren't getting into anything toxic or dangerous.
  
  
• Dogs with short coats can be susceptible to sunburn and skin damage. Minimize harmful exposure by limiting midday sun exposure (10am - 2 pm in particular), applying sunscreen to exposed areas (avoid zinc containing products), and/or covering your pet with light clothing/covers.
  
  
• Cars heat up quickly when parked in summer sun. NO AMOUNT OF TIME is safe for a dog in a parked car, even with windows open. Temps in the mid 60's (with mid-day sun) can pose a life-threatening danger to dogs.
  
  
• If dogs are left outdoors, make sure they have fresh/cool water, and weather/sun protection.
  
  

Summer is the perfect time to enjoy the great outdoors with your pet. Being thoughtful (and watchful) can maximize fun while reducing risks. Have a great Summer, and keep your dog safe during training, travels, and recreation!