PAWS TO PONDER

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by Suzyn Barron, President of Warwick Valley Humane Society, Inc. 

Did you know we are all experiencing the “Dog Days of Summer”?  Meaning these hot, humid days lately.  Not days that dogs typically enjoy either, but days that animal caregivers have to use more caution to prevent injury and heatstroke to our pets.  The term “Dog Days of Summer” originated during the Roman Empire and refers to Sirius, known as the “Dog Star,”.  It is the brightest star in the constellation Canis Major (Large Dog) and falls in conjunction with the sun on July 23, 20 days after July 3 and 20 days before August 11 which are 40 of the warmest days during the summer months.  Sirius comes from an ancient Greek word for “scorching” or “glowing.”  Ancient Romans noticed the reappearance of Sirius in the morning sky which rose each day before sunrise, so they blamed it for the heat in July and August.   Sirius is the brightest star visible from Earth in the evening sky during the winter and appears in the east before sunrise in late summer. Which has nothing to do with actual dogs.  But cool to know.

 During these Dog Days of Summer, it is important to recognize the dangers these high, humid temperatures pose to our pets.  Air conditioning helps our pets handle the humidity like it does for people.  Animals do not sweat like humans.  Panting is their way of removing excess moisture from their lungs to cool down and help regulate their body temperature since dogs and cats mostly sweat through their paws.   It should go without saying:

~ NEVER leave your pet in a parked car, not even for a minute! Not even with the car running and air conditioner on. On a warm day, temperatures inside a vehicle can rise rapidly to dangerous levels and your pet may suffer irreversible organ damage or die.

~ Limit exercise to early morning or evening hours or skip it. Always carry water with you to keep your dog from dehydrating.   Short nosed dogs already have difficulty breathing.

~ Check the pavement with the back of your hand. If it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for your dog and can burn the paws. Watch out for sunburn on light and white colored dogs and their ears.

~ When outside, be sure to provide shade under trees or use tarps (not a hot doghouse) and have fresh, ice-cold water available. 

Cats can become dehydrated quickly during summer. Give them ice cubes to play with for enrichment and to cool off their pads and keep them indoors. Use a cool wet towel to wipe them down.  Hyperthermia in rabbits can be fatal because they cannot sweat or pant. Keep the temperature between 55 and 70 if possible, use a fan and offer shade, a frozen water bottle to cool their space, unlimited cool water and a cooling pad. 

If any animal is panting excessively, they are already overheated and need immediate veterinary attention.  Practicing basic summer safety is vital to your pet’s health.  Stay cool! 

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