How to take care of your pets this scorching summer

India is experiencing a heatwave spell that has everyone grappling for a cool breeze. Research and analysis by climate scientists have directly connected the soaring temperatures with climate change. High temperatures can make one more susceptible to heat exhaustion, especially in the case of certain dog breeds such as the shihtzu, pug, bulldog, husky, and boxer who are prone to heat strokes. If you are a pet parent who has been melting in the summer heat, you might find yourself worrying about your four-legged babies.

"Hyperthermia can range from mild heat exhaustion that can be cured at home to severe heatstroke conditions where the pet can lose consciousness, experience high fever, and in worst cases even encounter organ failure. The severity of the condition is why pet parents need to be aware of the symptoms in order to detect, prevent and treat heat exhaustion in their pets," says Dr Shantanu Kalambi, chief veterinarian at Supertails - a digital platform for pets. "What happens is your pets' temperature goes beyond the normal range and they are unable to regulate their body heat," explains the specialist who has years of experience treating a diverse array of species from dogs to sea turtles.

Below, Kalambi outlines some common signs of heat exhaustion in pets, followed by preventive measures and treatments.

Heavy panting or breathing difficulty

Given that dogs pant instead of sweating, they are much more sensitive to heat as compared to humans. In case the dog is panting continuously or faster than normal, it could be because of overheating. Dogs with snub-nose or flat faces like pugs and bulldogs are more susceptible to heat exhaustion in comparison to others because of their smaller airways which makes it difficult for them to release heat through panting. Likewise, old and overweight dogs or the ones with pre-existing heart and breathing problems are more likely to get a heatstroke.

Look for signs of dehydration and fever

Generally, dogs have a wet and cool nose, so in case their nose is dry and hot, it is a sign of them having a fever. A body temperature of more than 103° F is considered to be a fever. Taking note of their peeing habit can also help indicate dehydration. If your dog is facing difficulty in producing urine, it is a sure indicator of dehydration. Apart from this, look for any visible tiredness, or sunken eyes in your pets to detect any sort of dehydration.

Profuse drooling

If your dog is drooling a lot, then examine whether the drool is thicker or stickier than usual.

Rapid heartbeat

Check your dog's pulse by placing your hand on the chest near the front elbow joint. An elevated pulse can be a sign of overheating.

Muscle tremors

Heat exhaustion can cause shivering and shaking in your pets irrespective of the temperature outside.

Weakness or dizziness

Dogs can become lethargic due to overheating where they take more naps than usual and in certain cases can even have trouble standing up or walking. Instances where they are unable to walk in a straight line or keep bumping into furniture are a sign that they are lightheaded because of dehydration or heat exhaustion.

Also Watch: How to protect yourself from heatstroke?

Vomiting or diarrhea

The biggest sign of heat exhaustion amongst pets is abnormal soft stool or stool with blood.

Abnormal gum color

Look out for any bright red, grey, purple, or bluish gums in your pets that could be indicative of dehydration in them.

The symptoms in cats may vary a little. While panting in dogs is very normal, in cats, it is an emergency situation. Amongst cats, panting, mental dullness, bruising, and seizures are signs of heatstroke. Having taken a look at the symptoms, pet parents must be acquainted with the preventive measures and treatment to avoid any serious condition.

Avoid taking your pet out during the peak temperatures of the day

Do not take them out for walks during the hottest times of the day. Choose early mornings or late evenings when it's cooler to prevent heatstroke and overheating. One should take extra care with dog breeds such as shihtzu, pug, husky, bulldog, boxer, and young or senior pets, since they are prone to heat strokes. Carry an ample amount of water during walks. Pay attention to the humidity level and restrict your pet's exercise when the air is full of moisture. Increased physical activity can raise their body temperature and lead to heatstroke given that they are unable to pant and cool themselves in humid conditions.

Keep paws cool to treat heat exhaustion

Walking on concrete slabs such as pavements that are directly exposed to sunlight can burn your pet's paws. This can also increase their body temperature which is directly responsible for overheating. Take your dog to a cooler place immediately and it is advisable to make them walk on the grass. Keep them away from asphalt or hot roads as well. In such cases, booties come handy in preventing their paws from getting burnt. Try to keep their paws as clean and dry as possible.

Bring down the body temperature

In case the pet is down with fever, take measures to cool down their body. Lower the pet's temperature with the help of cool water. Apply more cool water around their paws and ears to reduce the fever more effectively. Here, one should not make the mistake of using cold water. It will drastically cool down the body which is equally dangerous as heat exhaustion.

Closely monitor their diet

During summer it is extremely important to feed hydrated food to pets. Include as much liquid as possible and make sure to give food with gravy-like consistency. Food and veggies high in water content can curtail the chances of dehydration and at the same time also provide pets with proper nourishment. Incorporate rice and curd, buttermilk, and peanut butter mixed with curds in their diet to fulfil their water requirement. Pet parents can also increase their water intake by giving them veg or chicken soups. Serving them watermelons, bananas and cucumbers can be a great treat for the pets. In any case, do not give them hot food during summer. Also, make sure to not serve them ice cream or chocolates as they are not fit to be consumed by dogs.

Groom your pet

Groom them regularly by washing and brushing their fur regularly. For long-haired breeds, go for a shorter summer haircut. Do not completely shave them or close trim as it could cause skin issues or lead to infections. Their coat is capable of cooling down their body during summers and provides warmth during winters. Shaving the fur can interfere with their built-in temperature regulation. They require a coat for thermoregulation. Instead of shaving, you can trim the coat.

Check for ticks and fleas whenever you take your pet outdoors and ensure that appropriate preventatives are used regularly. Go for products with healing ingredients like shampoos with aloe vera and tea tree oil that have anti-tick properties to avoid any parasite growth on your pet's body.

Even after taking all the preventive measures, in case the pet loses consciousness or is showing severe signs of illness like vomiting, seizing, etc. it is recommended to immediately take your pet to the veterinarian for treatment.

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