Heatstroke is a deadly condition that can kill your beloved canine companion, even with emergency treatment. As with most health issues, prevention is the key to helping your dog through hot summer days.

Heat, humidity and other factors that can kill
Most people know that the interior of a car on a hot summer’s day can be lethal. However, your dog needs you to know more than that to keep him safe in the deadly sun. Even on cooler days, the temperature inside an automobile can rise quickly as a result of direct sunlight.

Days when the temperature rises to 90 degrees or higher, especially with high humidity, are especially hazardous for your pet. Humidity interferes with animals’ ability to rid themselves of excess body heat. When humans overheat, we sweat. The process of the sweat drying carries excess heat with it. However, dogs only perspire around their paws, which is not enough to cool the body on hot days.

Your Dog’s Cooling System
To rid themselves of excess heat, dogs pant. You may notice that a hot, panting dog has an enlarged tongue. This occurs so that the tongue has an increased surface area to dissipate heat.

When panting, air moves through the nasal passages picking up excess heat from the body. As it is exhaled through the mouth the extra heat is carried along with it. Although this is a normally efficient way to control body heat, it can be severely overtaxed during periods of high humidity or when the animal is in close quarters.

The shape of a dog’s nose can affect the ability to regulate heat. Brachiocephalic (pug-nosed) dogs are more susceptible to heatstroke since their nasal passages are smaller. As a result of this smaller surface area, their  panting is less efficient for cooling. Overweight dogs are also more prone to overheating as extra layers of fat act as insulation, which traps heat in their bodies and restricts their breathing capabilities. Age can also be a factor in an animal’s tendency to overheat–very young puppies may not have a fully developed temperature regulating system while older pets’ organ systems may not be functioning at 100 percent, making them prone to heat-related damage.

Cracking the windows is simply not enough!
So where are the danger zones? The most obvious is your car. It can become a death trap even on a mild sunny day when the sun’s rays can raise the car’s temperature to well above 120 degrees. Never, ever leave your pet inside the car. If your dog can’t come with you when you get out of the car, then leave him at home.

Leaving dogs outdoors without shelter from the sun is just as dangerous as leaving them inside a hot car. Be sure they are not left in a cage in the hot sun, on a chain in the yard, or outdoors in a run without sufficient shade or air circulation.

Symptoms of Heatstroke
Symptoms of heatstroke include rapid panting, bright red gums, an elevated heart rate, warm dry skin, vomiting and a vacant or anxious expression.

beagle panting

Act Decisively as Heatstroke can be deadly!
Heatstroke is a true medical emergency – if not properly and quickly treated the condition can quickly result in coma and death. Have someone call a veterinarian immediately. An animal with heat stroke must have its body temperature lowered quickly. Most effective is immediate immersion in cold water. If unavailable, hosing the dog down with a garden hose may be effective. Ice packs should not be used because overcooling may occur.

The skin should be massaged gently, and the legs flexed frequently to encourage blood circulation. While this is being done, it is essential that the pet be transported to a veterinary hospital as quickly as possible. Often the pet will respond after only a few minutes of cooling, only to falter again. Once your pet is in a veterinarian’s care, treatment may include further cooling techniques, intravenous fluid therapy to counter shock, or medication to treat possible brain damage.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure
If your dog lives outdoors, ensure adequate shelter from sun/midday heat. Outdoor kennels should be well-ventilated and in the shade. Provide plenty of fresh water in a bowl that cannot be tipped over and check/refill regularly. Avoid excessive exercise on hot days. If your dog’s coat is long or thick, discuss with your veterinarian if grooming should include a shorter haircut.

1. Preparation: Don’t wait for the last minute! When you put it all together at the last minute that creates more anxiety and tension for your dog as well as you! When you are prepared your dog will have a more normal experience. If you planning to make hotel reservations there many pet-friendly hotels to choose from.

2. Car Safety: Items to consider having depending on your pet’s size and ability to ride in the car staying safe for both them, passengers and you: Pet Carriers, Car Barriers, Car Seats, Car Seat Belts. If you need to order any item on line, make sure you do it in plenty of time. If you are planning on going to a local pet store, again do it in plenty of time…for if they don’t have it and your pressing the clock, the anxiety is already high and you haven’t even left for your trip!

Safe Car Travel for Dogs

3. Take a long walk before driving off! A recently exercised dog will be in a more relaxed state during any long trip.

4. If your pet needs extra calming, instead of drugs from your pet’s vet, you may want to consider Lavender Scent. Any health food store has that and will not make him/her disoriented or feel uncertain during the trip.

5. Make sure your dog has access to water – enough to keep hydrated but not full. Bottled water is perfect. If you need feeders there are many to choose from that are effective and very low cost.

6. Don’t forget to bring your dog’s food, favorite toy and blanket to keep them happy and balanced.

7. Make sure your dog has clear and effective identification. Be sure that the identification has your contact information while you are still away from home.

8. Put together a doggy first aid kit for the trip. If you are not sure what that may include it’s best to call your vet for he or she knows your dog!

9. Always use a leash and stay with your pet at all times. Dogs are very curious and in new places may try to run off and explore. If you have trouble walking your dog any time you may want to consider mastering how to control your dog. 10. Never ever leave your dog or any other pet or child in a hot car even if you roll the windows down. A car in the sun can reach temperatures of near 200 degrees causing heat stroke and even death to pets & humans left in them.

11. Never leave your dog alone and unattended in his or her carrier. Unfortunately kidnapping of your dog is a very real possibility. You may want to consider a GPS system to ensure your pet’s safety.

12. Ensure your dog has the chance to potty every few hours. We have noticed when the owner is calm and relaxed throughout the trip (and that includes the preparation!) the dog will also maintain a calmness. It is common in unfamiliar places like this your dog’s regular potty schedule will be interrupted and you don’t want any embarrassing issues. If traveling to a theme park check with employees about places setup for your dog to potty in. Most will have areas around the park for you to use.

13. Take a break every hour. This will allow them to not only relieve themselves but keep the circulation on all vital organs. Plus, they will learn by smell that they are going to a different environment. It is important for a dog to experience the different temperatures, smells, and feelings that come with a new environment. This will help make them feel that they are part of the process of moving to a new area. Once the sun goes down, you can go eight hours non-stop!

14. Once you arrive at your hotel, or family/friends home, take your dog for a walk! If you are not sure where to go, ask the pet friendly hotel.

1. Know the local laws. Not all beaches allow dogs! If they do, make sure you know if you have to keep them on a leash at all times or not.

2. Sunscreen: it’s not just for people. Pups need protection too! Talk with your veterinarian about protective goggles and canine sunblock.

3. Protect your dog from fleas. Sand fleas are abundant!

4. Get a Condition Check on the weather and ocean tides, undercurrents and Sea lice, jellyfish. All of these factors can pose just as much of a threat to dogs as they do to humans. Before you let your dog roam, verify with a lifeguard that the environment is safe.

5. Never let your dog drink the ocean Salt /bay / or lake water! Keep your dog hydrated with fresh water. Salt water can make them sick. Please watch for signs of dehydration. You may be use to being out in the sun and water, but your dog may not. Watch for signs. Sand and heat can make a normal exercise routine more strenuous. Trust your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right, call your dog back to rest in a shady spot.

6. Watch them at all times, for you don’t want them to eat things that wash ashore, like dead fish, fishing lines, plant life.

7. Be prepard to pick up after your dog! Keep the water and beach area clean for others. Respect goes both ways and it is noticed.

8. When you and your dog are done for the day give him/her a bath with fresh water. Find out if the beach has an area to do exactly that before going back to the car or hotel. If not, find out from the hotel where the best place is. The chemicals and sea water can be harmful to your dogs coat and general well being.

These pet safety tips will help you and your best friend in having a safer, happy and balanced trip. Just remember to stay calm and positive with your dog and everyone will benefit. Stay safe and have an awesome trip!

Pet Article courtesy of http://pet-articles.blogspot.com.

Several of the plants commonly purchased as decorations during the Christmas season are poisonous to pets and children, for example poinsettias and mistletoe. Choose a non-poisonous plant instead. The ASPCA has a listing of poisonous plants and non-poisonous alternatives.

Be wary of tinsel, lights, bulbs, and many other decorations on Christmas trees. These decorations are pretty and festive, but can be dangerous to your pet. Keep ornaments out of your dog’s reach. What looks like a fun toy may be disastrous if swallowed or chewed and result in serious damage to your pet’s digestive systems.

Christmas is the time of year when we have our family and friends over for holiday festivities. Lots of people, strange smells, and loud noises can spook even the calmest of dogs. It may be a good idea to keep your dog away from the party-goers and occupied with a long lasting chew or toy.

While you may enjoy the holiday candies, treats and drinks be sure to keep them away from your pets. Do not reward your dog’s cuteness by giving him/her a tummy ache. Many holiday treats involve chocolate and while chocolate is wonderful, it also contains an ingredient called theobromine. Theobromine is lethal to dogs, and the darker the chocolate, the more theobromine it contains. Also keep an eye on those candy wrappers. They smell like the treat they once contained and can be harmful if swallowed. Be strong, if you want to give your pet a sweet treat, offer your pet one of his/her favorite dog treats.

Sweets are not the only thing to avoid feeding your dog. Steer clear of giving your pet table scraps too. Dogs only require so much food each day and human food is not designed for your dog. Just like with sweets your food can cause problems to their digestive tract. You will especially want to avoid giving your dog bones from the table; they can break into sharp splinters and cause serious health problems, and sometimes death.

If you intend on traveling this holiday season and plan on bringing your dog, make sure your friends or family do not

mind. Some people are frightened of dogs, and it may be best to leave your dog with a friend. If you cannot find a friend to watch your dog you could board your dog or hire a pet sitter.
If you burn candles during the holidays remember that they can pose a fire-risk, especially if they get knocked over by a curious cat or a wagging tail.

If you are thinking about getting a pet for Christmas, I suggest adopting one from your local animal shelter. There are many wonderful dogs and cats waiting to find their forever home. Both of mine, Rusty and Sadie came from our local shelter.

Time To Play

Framed Art Print

Gibson, Judy

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Dear DogBurg Community,

I just received the following message from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) and would like to get this the widest publicity possible. I’ll be “tweeting” on Twitter about this and ask that you do what you can to get the word out.

LUCKY

This hit home for me about six weeks ago when our beloved pooch, Lucky, disappeared. Lucky would never wander away on her own. I’ve been praying that she was not snatched by one of these “bunchers” – the lowest of the low – but have my suspicions…

Thanks,
Jim
DogBurg.com

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Dear Animal Advocates,

The federal Pet Safety and Protection Act would prohibit Class B Dealers and unlicensed individuals from selling dogs and cats to research laboratories.

Class B Dealers are people who collect dogs and cats to sell to the research industry. They sometimes obtain their animals through illegal or unethical means, such as by responding to “free to good home” ads in newspapers, falsifying records to keep the true origins of the animals unknown and stealing pets kept outside in yards. They also buy animals in bulk from “bunchers,” whose methods are even more questionable.

Eliminating Class B Dealers will also take away the profit motive of bunchers, providing a much-needed safety net to ensure beloved pets are not stolen or acquired under false pretenses and sold to facilities that test on animals.

What You Can Do
Visit the ASPCA Advocacy Center Online to email your U.S. senators and representative urging them to support and cosponsor the Pet Safety and Protection Act. You may use the same link to read about this legislation in greater depth.

Thank you for supporting the ASPCA and America’s animals.

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DogBurg’s Daily Art Spot

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Rawhide Treats

Rawhide dog treats are purchased in large numbers by well-meaning dog owners hoping to give their pets something special. These chew toys are favorites for many dogs and are popular with owners because they keep their pets occupied instead of chewing on inappropriate household items. However, there are definite risks associated with these treats.

These treats are supposedly made of digestible animal products. However, they are digested quite slowly and, if consumed rapidly, can cause either vomiting or diarrhea from the many pieces still sitting undigested in the GI tract. If the treats are swallowed whole or in large chunks, there are additional dangers. Rawhide chews can lodge in the throat and cause choking. A large piece may be swallowed, scraping and irritating the throat and esophagus on the way down. Once in the stomach or intestinal tract, a large piece of rawhide can also create a physical obstruction.

An additional danger that is less widely known is the practice, in some countries, of using an arsenic-based preservative in the processing of rawhide toys. We recommend that, if you do purchase these products, stick to brands processed in the U.S. There has also been a recent FDA alert about the risk of Salmonella associated with dog chew products made from pork or beef-derived material. For more information, refer to the FDA advisory or call 1-888-INFO-FDA. See below (discussion on pigs’ ears) for more details.

Cow Hooves

Cow hooves are even more dangerous than rawhides. They are hard enough that a dog can actually break a tooth when chewing them. They can also be shattered into sharp fragments which may cause an intestinal tear or obstruction. Partial obstructions are often difficult to diagnose until the point at which the fragment is ready to perforate the wall of the bowel from pressure against the sharp edges. If perforation has occurred, the infection that ensues from leakage of intestinal contents can be fatal.

Pig’s Ears

Similar to rawhide, pigs’ ears can cause GI upset if overeaten although obstructions are less common because the ears are not usually shaped into solid chunks. There is, however, a less widely known danger associated with pig ears.  An FDA advisory published by the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human services stated that there is “a nationwide public health warning” alerting consumers about a number of cases in Canada of human illnesses apparently related to contact with dog chew products made from pork or beef-derived materials (e.g., pigs ears, beef jerky treats, smoked hooves, pigs skins, etc.) The FDA has urged pet owners to handle these items carefully. Anyone who comes in contact with these treats should wash their hands with hot water and soap. Initial reports of illnesses came from Canada and involved Canadian products, but subsequent examination of similar products produced in the U.S. indicate that all pet chew products of this type may pose a risk.

Dog and Cat Skin Used in Some Rawhide Chews

More than 2 million dogs and cats are killed for their fur each year. The Humane Society of the United States recently finished an 18-month investigation of the fur trade. Investigators went to China, Thailand, and the Philippines. They found dogs and cats being treated inhumanely and then killed for their fur and skin. More than 2 million cats and dogs are killed for their fur each year. Some of this fur and skin is imported to the United States.

It is not against the law to wear, sell, and import cat and dog fur in the United States. It is, however, illegal to kill cats and dogs for their fur. This is different in China and many other places. In these countries, cats and dogs are raised and killed for their fur and skin. Some of these animals come from breeding farms, but others are strays and stolen pets.

The Humane Society found animals kept in crowded and dirty conditions. They are transported in bags. They are not fed regularly. Dogs are often cut in the hind leg or groin and then bleed to death. The dogs are sometimes skinned while they are still alive. Cats are often strangled to death. These methods leave the animals’ fur in good condition for use as coats and trim, but are incredibly cruel.

Cat and dog skin is difficult to recognize. It looks the same as other leather. It often comes from Thailand and the Philippines. Items which often use cat and dog skin include rawhide chew toys, musical instruments, clothing, purses, car upholstery, gloves, sports equipment, and medicine.

Skamper Industries LLC manufactures and distributes the animal rescue device known as Skamper-Ramp® - in two sizes: regular and Big Dog. This patented device (US Patent # 664389, Trademark registration #2867405) is attractive, affordable and most important, it works! Skamper-Ramp safeguards against finding any dead animals in your pool and, in particular, the tragedy of finding your own beloved dog drowned. It also works successfully with docks and boats.

FACT: Over 51% of all pet owners have a pool and/or spa…and that doesn’t include those with docks, boats or live on/near a canal.

FACT: Most people don’t realize that while the majority of animals can swim, they can’t necessarily get out by themselves. How many non-pet owners do you know who enjoy coming outside in the morning and finding dead frogs or other “critters” floating in the water? In fact, frogs are often found in the skimmer basket because they think it is a cave leading out of the water!

FACT: Pools are perilous to pets! Many pet owners try to protect their pet by training it to swim to the pool steps to get out of the water. This works fine in a daylight, non-threatening environment, but at night or if panicked, a dog will panic and forget it’s “landmark”… Animals can not see the steps for the very simple reason that they are under the water! That’s why when a pet or animal drowns it is a preventable accident! No one wants a drowned pet, that is considered a family member in most households, on their conscience….

PROBLEM: Water safety, particularly pool safety is important for pets just like children. Would you leave a child unattended by the pool? Of course not! Children are given swimming lessons at a very young age. Some even as infants.

Certain pets need to be trained how to get out of the water! Even if a dog is a good swimmer it can be spooked and get panicked. Some solutions, like fencing in the pool, using a water alarm (such as Safety Turtle), or having a flotation vest on hand all are wonderful layers of protection. But accidents happen – fences/gates get left open, you may not be around to hear the alarm and you don’t leave a life vest on 24/7.

Dog in Pool

 SOLUTION:  Skamper-Ramp is white and it angles down into the water, enabling your pet–and other critters to see it leading out, day or night, 24/7. Skamper-Ramp provides peace-of-mind because your pet (or the critter you didn’t want to see there in the first place!)can ‘scamper’ out of the water–pool or walled pond, even back on a dock or boat all by itself.

 Dogs are the only animals that have to be trained to use the Skamper-Ramp. Cats, ferrets, rabbits, possums, frogs, snakes, even spiders all go to it instinctively.

 Skamper-Ramp comes in two sizes, both capable of holding 200 lbs: regular Skamper-Ramp , for smaller, short-stride animals frequent and/or emergency use, and the Super Skamper-Ramp, for larger pets with longer stride length and/or for any size pet if used with a dock or boat.

Click here to review/purchase the regular Skamper-Ramp

Click here to review/purchase the Super Skamper-Ramp

This is an informative video made by a veterinarian advising how to help your dog if he is choking.