How do I cope with a hot dog?

MANY DOGS SUFFER WHEN IT’S HOT, BUT A FEW SIMPLE STEPS WILL KEEP THEM SAFE

Q

I am looking for general advice on how to keep my dog safe in very hot weather. I have a four-year-old male Pekingese.

A

It’s good to be thinking about this, as any problem to do with hot weather is entirely preventable with forethought and common sense.

Your dog is flat nosed (brachycephalic) and therefore at greater risk of heatstroke. So too is any thick-coated dog. Most owners know about the extreme danger of leaving dogs in cars in hot weather, and hopefully as the message continues to get through these tragedies will be less common.

Brachycephalic dogs are not efficient at reducing heat by panting and can succumb to heatstroke just by being walked in the heat of the day.

So it would be best to exercise him very early in the morning and later in the evening. Find a shady spot in the house with a fan during the day, with an abundant supply of cool water.

I have seen heatstroke in dogs tied up outside supermarkets, even for just a short time. It comes on incredibly quickly with panting, severe respiratory distress, a bluish tongue and collapse.

Bathing in cool water will help to reduce the temperature but organ failure can occur and an affected dog needs to see a vet urgently.

Another problem is very sore foot pads caused by coming into contact with hot pavements.

This is easily avoided by only walking the dog at the times I have suggested. If the pavement is too hot for the back of your hand after seven seconds, that’s a sign you shouldn’t be walking your dog.

Q I have two litter-mate rabbits that are now seven years old. They seem fine, but are a bit slower than before. Do rabbits get arthritis like us as they get older? If so, what should I look out for and is treatment possible?

A Rabbits certainly get arthritis as they age but signs can be subtle for two reasons. First, as a prey species they are conditioned to display few signs of illness, as in the wild this would make them vulnerable. Secondly rabbits rarely cry out in pain, but suffer in silence.

There are some general signs of arthritic pain to look out for. You may notice reduced activity, difficulty in moving about which may lead to sores on the lower surface of the feet, reduced appetite or weight loss. They may also become aggressive when picked up.

Other signs depend on which joints are arthritic.

Spinal problems may lead to a dirty bottom as it becomes difficult to turn round and eat their caecotrophs. These are the product of the first passage of food through the intestines.

They are rich in vitamins and other nutrients, and a failure to eat them will lead to nutritional problems.

If limb joints are affected the rabbit may limp or stop hopping altogether.

Gut stasis can occur, so always make sure that pellets are being produced.

Treatment, prescribed by your vet after radiographs have confirmed the diagnosis, may help for some time but a permanent cure is not possible.