A MESSAGE FROM THE PUBLISHER
THE DOG DAYS OF SUMMER As summertime temperatures heat up, it’s important to remember that dogs are vulnerable to injuries and illnesses related to hot weather. These include heat stroke, sunburn and foot pad burns. The most dangerous condition is heat stroke which can cause organ failure, seizures, brain damage, hemorrhages, blindness, convulsions and even death. Every single year, thousands of deaths occur due to the heat and it seems that a year does not go by that we don’t hear about a dog death within our community. I am writing about this because there is nothing more important than keeping our best friends healthy and safe. My goal with this short message is to remind you of something you already know with the hope that you will take a moment to post any type of warning on your social media accounts or print flyers to post at your local show. (Even the best among us can be careless at some point.)The information below might be common sense to many of you, but probably not to all. If it was, we wouldn’t have these cases happen over and over again. What can be done to prevent heat stroke? Be smart and proactive! 1. When the temperature is high, don’t let your dog linger on hot surfaces like asphalt and cement. Being so close to the ground can heat their bodies quickly and it’s also an invitation to burns on sensitive paw pads. Keep walks to a minimum. 2. Provide access to fresh water at all times. Make certain that access to shade and plenty of cool water are provided when dogs are outdoors. 3. Restrict exercise when temperatures soar. 4. Of course, never leave your dog in a parked car or trailer, not even if you park in the shade or plan to be gone for only a few minutes. The temperature inside a vehicle can reach oven-like temperatures in just minutes, often in excess of 140 degrees. That quick errand can turn into a disaster and it could be fatal for your dog. What are some symptoms of heat exhaustion? Heat exhaustion symptoms can include diarrhea, nausea and vomit- ing, rapid panting, and a reddening of the skin inside the ears. What do you do if you suspect your dog is suffering from heat stroke? Well, fast action might save its life. Remove the dog from the hot area immediately. Wet it thoroughly with cool-to-room temperature water and increase air movement around him or her with a fan. Do not use ice or very cold water. This can be counterproductive since cooling too quickly can trigger other life-threatening conditions. Allow free access to water, but don’t force your dog to drink since they could inhale it or choke.
Through some research, I was able to find a handy chart created by Tufts Animal Care and Condition (TACC) to help you decide when it is safe for your dogs to spend time outside in the heat or in a car or trailer. It was created as a screening tool for people in the animal health field using different criteria to finitely determine the presence of neglect or abuse. Tufts used weather data to create the warm weather safety chart (right). This chart should guide you safely through the dog days of summer. But please do not use it to determine if it is safe to leave your dog inside a vehicle during warm weather. The temperature inside your car or van will not be the same as the temperature in your backyard. NEVER leave your dog unattended inside a vehicle. Please refer to the chart — along with using some common sense (after all, you know your pet best!) — to avoid heat stroke and make it safely through the summer months. Re- member, a nice 85-degree day doesn’t feel quite as nice when it is accompanied by 90 percent humidity. Make it one safe and enjoyable summer.
HOW HOT IS TOO HOT?
°C °F
15° 60° 1 1 1
No evidence of risk: Have fun outside!
Risk is unlikely: Have fun outside, but be careful!
18° 65° 1 1 2
Unsafe potential, depending on breed. Keep an eye on your pet outdoors.
2 2 3
21° 70°
3 3 3
Dangerous weather developing. Use caution.
23° 75°
Potentially life-threatening heat. Avoid prolonged outdoor activity.
26° 80°
3 3 4
29° 85° 4 4 5
32° 90°
5 5 5
+1 if obese
35° 95°
5 5 5
+1 if brachycephalic breed
37° 100°
5 5 5
+1 if less than 6 months old or elderly
40° 105°
5 5 5
-1 if area is shaded from sun
43° 110°
5 5 5
-1 if water is available
AJ ARAPOVIC CEO I ARAMEDIA GROUP PUBLISHER I SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE
source: adapted from The Tufts Animal Condition and Care (TACC)
8 • S how S ight M agazine , J uly 2018
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