Rescue Operations
Austin Dog Alliance's mission is to enrich people's lives by making dogs an integral part of our community. This includes making sure that our dogs are cared for in all situations.
One such situation is the summer heat and heat-related issues such as heat stroke for our four-legged, furry community members. Thanks to Susan Hopper, DVM of Griffith Animal Hospitals for contributing this article.
Another summer concern for those of us with pets is how to best care for our pets when the family travels. Often, taking the dog with us is not an option. Jessica Harrison of Romp N' Run Ranch wrote some pointers that we can use in selecting the best home-away-from-home for our pets.
Heat Stroke
Hyperthermia, or excessive body temperature, more commonly called heat stroke, is a severe illness that can affect pets in the heat of summer. The most common cause is being locked in a parked car, where the temperature around the pet is so hot that the normal system of panting to cool off simply cannot work. No pet should ever be left unattended in a parked car in hot weather.
On extremely hot or humid days, even outside of a car pets can get into trouble. Those at the greatest risk are elderly patients who have any heart or lung problems, and brachycephalic breeds. Brachycephalic breeds are the ones with "pushed in faces" like English Bull Dogs, Boston Terriers, and Pugs. Persian and Himalayan cats are brachycephalic.
All pets should have constant access to water during hot weather. During heat emergencies, dogs should not be taken for long walks or runs.
Keeping air circulating with a fan or air conditioning is important.
Signs of overheating, progressing from least to most serious are: extreme panting, excessive salivation, rapid heart rate, bloody vomiting, and seizures. If it gets to the point where there is vomiting or seizures permanent damage to internal organs, or even death may occur.
Heat stroke is readily avoided but difficult to treat, so plan ahead on hot days. If you feel your pet has overheated, prompt veterinary care is crucial for a good recovery.
Susan Hopper, DVM
Griffith Animal Hospital Cypress Creek
512-331-8555
www.griffithanimalhospitals.com
How to Choose the Best Boarding Facility for Your Dog
You do not want to spend your vacation worried about your dog, so what should you look for when choosing a place to leave them? The following are some good ideas for finding the best fit for you and your canine.
To find the perfect place to board your dog, start your search well in advance of your trip. Holiday reservations should be made months in advance, as the best facilities will book up quickly and you may be put on a waiting list.
When looking at boarding facilities, remember that the best fit for your dog is not always the closest. It is worth your time and money to find a facility that you trust and your dog enjoys, even if it is 20 or 30 minutes from home. Consider dropping your dog off a day early rather than on your way out of town. Your dog will appreciate missing the stressful events of packing and getting everyone ready on time, and you will have one less thing to take care of on the day of travel.
Check out each facility by calling ahead and scheduling a tour. Many kennels have scheduled tour times based on when it will be easiest to spend time answering your questions. It would be ideal to be able to stop by at any time, but be mindful of the current guests who may be eating or napping at certain times of the day. Keep in mind that tours are disruptive to the daily boarding routine, so expect some barking, but the noise level should not overwhelm you.
During your tour you should expect to see clean kennels and happy dogs. You should expect each dog to have access to fresh water both inside and out. A dog kennel may smell like dogs, but it should not smell of urine or feces. Be sure there is plenty of shade provided in outside areas. Indoor areas should be climate controlled. If it is not a comfortable temperature for you, it is not going to be comfortable for your dog.
Ask if you are allowed to bring items from home, and if you can choose to keep your dog on their regular diet. If your dog is on medication, be sure it can be administered correctly and that there is no additional charge for doing so. Ask what vaccinations and treatments are required of each guest to insure your dog does not come home with fleas or other illnesses. Also ask what protocols are in place should your dog get sick or injured while in their care. Be sure you are comfortable with the schedule of walks/play times and feeding times each day.
You should expect to drive away from a tour with the peace of mind that your dog will be happy and in good hands. If you do not, keep looking.
What should you do to help prepare your dog? Remember that pets, like people, usually appreciate a vacation in new surroundings with new friends. Dogs, once they become familiar with their new surroundings, have a marvelous, exciting time — almost like kids at summer camp. If your dog has never been boarded before, you might consider a few daycare sessions at the facility prior to an extended boarding stay to help him or her get used to boarding. Every time you return, your dog is less likely to be affected by separation anxiety and can enjoy the experience more.
It is a good idea to pack a blanket or towel from home. It will smell like your house and give your dog extra comfort. Toys and chews are helpful to prevent boredom if your dog will be spending more time than normal in a confined space. Check with the facility to make sure there are no restrictions on types of personal items.
If you are sending your dogs own food, ask the kennel how they prefer to have it prepared and portioned. And don’t overfeed your pet the night before going to the boarding facility. The extra food is not really necessary and the result might be an upset stomach.
Finally, because dogs sense and reflect our emotions, DO NOT allow any member of the family to stage an emotional “farewell” scene. Your dog can be made to feel unnecessarily anxious about the facility visit if they are subjected to this kind of dramatic display.
Now all you have to do is relax and enjoy your trip! Remember that you are leaving your dog in the hands of capable professionals who enjoy spending time with your dog. Your dog will let you know when you pick them up if they have had a good experience. They should be tired but happy, and eager to return to their friends at the boarding facility during your next trip.
Jessica Harrison
Romp N' Run Ranch
512-733-7667
www.rompnrunranch.com
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