Bar C Kennels, Goldendoodles, Hot Weather tips for Dogs

It's summer time! A great time to be outdoors - enjoying the sunshine and warmth, but it's also the time that our pets
are most at risk of overheating and heat stroke.

Heat stroke causes incredibly severe damage. Affected animals first appear excited, but then appear to lose their
balance. Seizures occur and the body slips into a coma. Multi organ failure will then follow. 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, try to cool
your pet by placing it in a room temperature (not iced) water bath or by hosing it. Place your wet animal in front of
the fan and apply ice packs to its head.

Your veterinarian will need to give medication to control seizures and to prevent further damage to your pet's
organs. He or she may give it a water enema to reduce the body temperature. It is likely that your pet will be placed
on an intravenous drip. Your vet may also anesthetize your pet to prevent seizures.

Helping your pet to keep its cool this summer is vital and there are some tips to help you to do just that.

1.        Having your pet clipped is a good idea. Daily grooming to remove unwanted hair will make your
pet more comfortable and will help it to shed excess heat. Grooming aids such as Slicker brushes
and Zoom Grooms are designed to strip loose hair from your pet's coat and are very useful.

2.        Make sure your pets have adequate shade to rest in at this time of year. Have plenty of fresh
water in the shade so that it remains cool. Dogs can only sweat through the pads of their feet
and by panting. Evaporation from the wet surfaces of their mouth and nose helps lower body
temperature.

3.        Freeze a cup or two of water and place them in your pet's water bowl in the morning to keep
the water cool.

4.        Walk your dog in the cooler times of day, either early morning or late evening. Stop regularly
to give your dog a rest and a drink, or even better a cooling swim.

5.        Asphalt gets very hot and can burn your pet's paws. Avoid walking on hot roads and sidewalks.

6.        Never leave your pet unattended in a hot car. Many say "I'm only going into the shop for a pint
of milk - I'll be just a minute". The 'just a minute' extends very quickly if the shop is busy or if you
happen to meet a talkative friend. On a 70F day, the car temperature can rise above 130F in only
minutes. The highest temperatures are reached in dark colored cars with large glass areas.

7.        Pets can get sunburned too! Your pet may require sunscreen on his or her nose and ear tips.
Pets with light-colored noses or light-colored fur on their ears are particularly vulnerable to
sunburn and skin cancer.

8.       Take care taking your dog to the beach. Ensure that your pet can find shade or bring a beach
umbrella or shade structure. Always remember to take fresh water along as drinking salt water
can dehydrate your dog.

9.      Short nosed breeds of dogs, such as Bull Dogs, Pugs and the Pekingese, are very susceptible
to heat stress. Overweight dogs and cats are at higher risk as are pet's with thick coats. Dogs or cats
with poor circulation, very old animals and dogs with any respiratory disease are also susceptible.

Heat stress is a major concern over summer but a little common sense is all that is required to help your pets keep
their cool and stay healthy!