PET TALK WITH
CORINIUM VETS
Caring for Your Dog in Hot
Weather
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| Quinn, Monty and Brock love the sun, but when they're outside! |
The RSPCA runs a yearly campaign to highlight the risks of leaving dogs
closed in cars during the warmer months of the year. Last year, they received 8779 calls reporting
incidents of dogs suffering from heat exposure.
This was fewer than in 2014, when over 10,000 incidents were reported,
however, a significant number of dogs still actually die from heatstroke or
other complications as a direct result of being locked in a vehicle that
rapidly overheats.
The best idea is to leave your dog at home where you know they are safe.
Dogs that are kept in a hot car will start with Heatstroke. Even when the outside temp is just 20
degrees, the temperature inside of a closed car can rise to 45 degree celsius
or even hotter in a matter of minutes.
Heatstroke can be fatal. Do everything you can to prevent it. If dogs
are unable to reduce their body temperature, they will develop heatstroke. The
signs to be aware of are: heavy panting, profuse salivation, a rapid pulse,
very red gums/tongue, lethargy, lack of coordination, reluctance or inability
to rise after collapsing, vomiting, diarrhea
and loss of consciousness in extreme circumstances.
If your dog shows any of these signs, move him/her to a shaded, cool area
and contact the Corinium Practice immediately.
Heatstroke can be fatal and should always be treated as an emergency.
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Shower your dog with cool (not cold) water, to avoid shock
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Let your dog drink small amounts of cool water.
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Continue to soak your dog with cool water until his/her breathing starts
to settle – never cool your dog so much that he/she begins to shiver.
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Once you have cooled your dog down you should bring him/her straight
down to us.
Top Tips for Warm Weather;
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-Your dog should always be able to move into a cooler, ventilated
environment if he/she is feeling hot.
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-Never leave your dog alone in a car. If you want to take your dog with
you on a car journey, make sure that your destination is dog-friendly – you
won’t be able to leave your dog in the car and you don’t want your day out to
be ruined!
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-If you have to leave your dog outside, you must provide a cool shady
spot where he/she can escape from the sun at all times of the day.
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-Make sure your dog always has a good supply of drinking water, in a
weighted bowl that can’t be knocked over. Carry water with you on hot days and
give your dog frequent small amounts.
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-Never leave your dog in a glass conservatory or a caravan. Even if it is
cloudy when you leave, the sun may come out later in the day and make it
unbearably hot.
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-Groom your dog regularly to get rid of excess hair.
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-Dogs need exercise – even when it is hot. Walk your dog early in the
morning or later in the evening. Never allow your dog to exercise excessively
in hot weather. The ground can also get
very hot and can burn their sensitive paw pads.
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-Dogs can get sunburnt too – particularly those with pink noses or
light-coloured fur on their ears.
For more information, contact
the team here at
Or visit Corinium Vets,
Whitworth Road, Cirencester, GL7 1RT
