Tips offered to help pets beat the heat

By LINDSAY LORENZ, Register Staff Writer Gainesville Daily Register

Cooke County — As summer swells and daily highs continue to rise, local veterinarians remind pet owners that the only hot dogs they have this season should come off the grill.

With temperatures slated for the mid to upper 90s all week, people aren’t the only ones trying to keep cool and vets say dogs and cats can be just as susceptible to dehydration and heat stroke as their owners, especially in extreme heat.

“You really have to be careful with leaving them outside,” said Shelly Gomulak, veterinarian and owner of Independence Equine and Small Animal Clinic.

Gomulak said within the last couple of months, her practice has seen about six or seven cases of overheated pets. Usually that’s the number she’d see during the course of the summer, but with temperatures above average, the risk has increased.

So, to ensure pets can beat the heat, vets agree that fresh water and access to shade is essential. If possible, Gomulak said, those who leave their dogs outdoors while at work should try and stop home during lunch breaks to replace warmed water, maybe even add some ice. She added that it can be dangerous to chain animals on hot days, as a tangled leash may prevent them from being able to reach the water bowl.

“Just use caution and consideration that it’s really hot and our pets need fresh water, and they can usually hold their own pretty well,” said veterinarian Justin Hartman of Refinery Road Veterinary Clinic.

However, Hartman noted that just like with people, animals who are older or overweight, usually have a harder time coping with the heat. Gomulak agreed and said that some pets just can’t be left outside all day, particularly those with short noses.

Breeds such as pit bulls and pugs have a harder time cooling off because of shortened air passages and tracheas, she said.

“You really can’t leave them out in the heat,” Gomulak added. “They tend to overheat a lot faster than other dogs.”

Veterinarian Dale Gleason of Lone Oak Veterinary Clinic said larger dogs are more at risk for overheating, too, due to a decreased ability to get heat out of their systems.

But when it comes to keeping cool, Gomulak said that just taking good care of pets can help protect them from high temperatures.

Keeping pets up to date on flea and parasite treatment, as well as vaccinations, can prevent pets from wasting energy or losing water by scratching. Because of recent rainfall, Hartman said unprotected pets are probably more susceptible to bug bites this season.

“The rain will probably make the fleas worse this summer than other summers,” he said.

Hartman noted an increased mosquito population is likely as well, and that it’s possible bites can spread heart worm disease.

As for grooming, regular baths can help pets weather the weather, too.

Gomulak said it’s controversial if a haircut actually helps the dog keep cool, but said good grooming can make a difference.

She said a dog’s fluffy fur can keep it insulated, unless the fur is matted.

“If they’re matted, it’s a nightmare,” she said, in which case shaving might be an option.

Hartman said although he’s not sure how effective shaving a dog can be either, he said it might not be a bad idea.

“A lot of people think they’ll be more comfortable with a haircut, and I kind of think so, too,” Hartman said.

Hartman said this especially applies to long haired dogs like great Pyrenees or Pomeranians.

When it comes to exercising, dogs often make good jogging buddies. However, high temperatures can make a lengthy run dangerous for both man and his best friend.

Hartman said the key is to keep it within reason, and exercise when weather is cooler in the mornings or evenings.

Gomulak said paying attention to the temperature is important, too. Even though it’s 6 p.m., temperatures could still be in the 90s.

For dogs who have been lounging in the air conditioning for most of the season, Gleason warned that heading into the heat for strenuous activity requires pet owners to acclimate their animals to the heat first, especially if a pet isn’t in good cardiovascular shape. He said this applies to dogs used for work or hunting.

“Exercise them in the cooler parts of the day so they’re in shape,” he suggested, then, gradually introduce them to hotter temperatures.

Both Gomulak and Hartman stressed that one of the biggest dangers to pets can be leaving them unattended in the car, regardless if the windows are open. Dogs and cats are at risk of heat stroke and dehydration even when it doesn’t seem that hot outside.

“It’s nothing on an 80-degree day for the temperature to reach 120 inside the car,” Hartman said.

For pet owners who suspect their pet may be dehydrated or suffering from heat stroke, vets recommend doing a skin snap check.

Gomulak explained that if you pick up the skin between an animal’s shoulder blades, how elastic it is can be a key indicator. Less elastic skin means the pet is dehydrated.

“If you pick it up like a tent,” Hartman said referring to the skin, “It stays there.”

Another sign is dry mouth. Hartman said a pet’s gums will be dry if they’ve been beat by the heat.

Other symptoms of heat stroke include heavy panting, or possibly no panting, in addition to vomiting, diarrhea, seizures and a raised body temperature. Gomulak noted that the normal temperature for dogs is about 102.5 degrees.

However, when it comes to cooling down a dehydrated pet, Gomulak and Hartman both noted the importance of giving pets small amounts of cool, not cold, water. A pet that quickly laps up freezing water is susceptible to nausea and possibly bloody diarrhea, the vets said, possibly because it’s a shock to their systems.

Often times, vets said, a dog who has been overheated might seem normal again after a few hours, but that doesn’t always mean they’ve recovered.

“It’s not until later you’ll notice,” Gomulak said.

 Although the symptoms of heat stroke might be gone, there’s a good chance the dog might still be dehydrated.

“All of its organs are suffering,” she said.

Both vets said it’s important to bring pets in if they’ve suffered heat stroke, even if they seem fine. Gomulak said she treats overheated pets with cool IV fluids and gastrointestinal medicine to prevent diarrhea.

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