Summer Hazards in Dogs

As the cool weather slowly fades and the mercury rises, families begin preparing for another summer filled with outdoor fun. Children and adults will spend more time outside playing with their pets. Summer holidays are perfect for barbeques, picnics and pool parties. To make the summer more enjoyable, be aware of various summertime hazards that can result in injury or illness to your pet. Preventing these hazards can help maintain the carefree days of summer.

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Be a Cool Owner: Don’t Let Your Dog Overheat

Working up a good sweat in the hot summer months may be good for you, but it can lead to heat stroke in your dog and kill him in a matter of minutes. Heat stroke is a dangerous condition that takes the lives of many animals every year. Your dog's normal body temperature is 100.5 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. If it rises to 105 or 106 degrees, the dog is at risk for developing heat exhaustion. If the body temperature rises to 107 degrees, your dog has entered the dangerous zone of heat stroke. With heat stroke, irreversible damage and death can occur.

Here are some cold summer facts: The temperature in a parked car can reach 160 degrees in a matter of minutes, even with partially opened windows. And any dog exercising on a hot, humid day, even with plenty of water, can become overheated. Overheating often leads to heat stroke. As a pet owner, you should know the dangers of overheating and what to do to prevent it. You should also know the signs of heat stroke and what to do if your dog exhibits those signs.

When humans overheat we are able to sweat in order to cool down. However, your dog cannot sweat as easily; he must rely on panting to cool down. Dogs breathe in through the nose and out through the mouth, directing the air over the mucous membranes of the tongue, throat and trachea to facilitate cooling by evaporation of fluid. Your dog also dissipates heat by dilation of the blood vessels in the surface of the skin in the face, ears and feet. When these mechanisms are overwhelmed, hyperthermia and heat stroke usually develop.

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Why Do Dogs Have Cold, Wet Noses?

 

According to legend, God bestowed cold, wet noses on dogs for saving Noah's Ark from sinking. As the story goes, a dog was on patrol when he discovered water pouring through a hole in the hull. The quick-witted dog stuck his nose in the small hole to keep water from flooding in.

The second dog ran off to alert Noah, who quickly repaired the hole. The dogs saved the day. For their actions, God made a cold, wet nose the symbol of good health for a dog.

However, while this is often true, it's not the best barometer for health and should not be relied on. Although most people say a healthy nose should be "cold and wet," it is actually more appropriate to describe it as moist. A wet, runny nose is a sign of trouble and should be checked out by a veterinarian. By the way, a normal moist nose doesn't always mean a dog is healthy; if your dog has a moist nose but seems lethargic, or in discomfort or pain, consult your vet.

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