Vet issues 60-day warning for dog owners ahead of Saturday
Saturday, May 11, could be the hottest day of the year so far as temperatures are set to hit 26C, and a vet has issued a warning over the dangers it presents for dogs. Dr Caroline Goulton BVetMed(Hons) at Guide Dogs has shared expert advice on what owners can do this weekend to keep their dog safe and comfortable as temperatures are expected to rise.
Dr Goulton said: "We need to be aware of the effects of heat sooner than you might expect. If the temperature is above 20 degrees centigrade, be aware of the impact the warm weather might have on your dog.
"When the mercury reaches 25 degrees, great care should be taken to prevent dogs from getting too hot and risking heatstroke. It can take up to 60 days for a dog to acclimatise to an environmental weather change.
"This is a crucial point to consider when the days start getting hotter. Your dog won’t be able to adjust as quickly as you (they won’t be able to change their wardrobe!) and cannot control their temperature very well.
"The first sign of this will be panting, which dogs use to cool down because they can’t sweat. Individual dogs will respond differently to the heat because of age, fitness, health and how used they are to the conditions, but all dogs rely on us to protect them from the effects of the sun."
The key signs of heat stroke to look out for include:
Excessive panting
Excessive drinking
Sudden onset of vomiting and diarrhoea
Collapse
High temperature
Convulsions and seizures
Dr Goulton said: "Even if you feel your dog is suffering from heat stroke or is too hot, you should never dunk or immerse them in cold water or hose them off. Cool them by spraying them with room temperature water (showers) or by wetting their coat with damp towels. Don’t leave the towels covering them, though and offer plenty of cool drinking water. "
Take extra care if your dog is:
Older
Has breathing difficulties
Has an underlying health condition
Overweight
There are many things you can do to make sure your dog doesn’t get too hot in warmer weather:
Action | Advice |
Exercising your dog in hot weather: |
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Dogs in cars: |
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Lakes and rivers: |
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Hot pavements and artificial grass: |
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Create a cool area at home: |
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