Heat Stroke in Dogs

This is a very timely subject in that we lost a patient to heat stroke on Thursday. And the temperatures have gone up since then! Dogs have sweat glands only on their paws, so their only means of effectively cooling themselves off is with evaporative cooling from their lungs as they pant. If the relative humidity is high they lose the evaporation portion and rely only on heat dissipation from their lungs and extremities. On hot, humid days dogs can overheat very quickly. Other risk factors include geriatric or other disease changes that may decrease the efficiency of the lungs and the relatively smaller airways of brachicephalic (smush-nosed) breeds like Boxers or Boston Terriers. Our patient Thursday was an 11-year-old Boston Terrier, and the heat index was 105 degrees.

If your dog is overheating, immediately wet him with cold water. Then get him to the nearest veterinary hospital. Once the body temperature climbs above a certain point it will continue to climb and can quickly result in permanent organ failure or death. Don't take any chances with this emergency situation if you think your dog is overheating. Please! It is much better to prevent heat stroke in the first place. Limit your dog's activity during hot, humid periods. If your dog wants to go out repeatedly on these days be sure she has cooled sufficiently indoors before going out again. Don't ever leave your pet unattended in a car for ANY length of time.

Heat stroke is a terrible but preventable situation. Let's work to prevent more cases.

Ginny's Top 10 Resolutions 2011: #7 & #6

Resolution #7: Spend more quality time with my owner.
Resolution #6: Go on long walks.

OK. So maybe you think Dr. Shrum is combining these two so he can get further down the list. Maybe. These two can actually be very complementary for dogs. One of the best ways to spend more quality time with your dog is going on long walks together. Now first be sure your dog understands how to walk appropriately on a leash so the walk doesn't turn into a battle. Good quality basic training classes will help with that. If he still won't listen to you, see us about fitting him for a Gentle Leader head harness. That's another blog, though. Other ways to spend quality time with your dog are to play ball or frisbee with her or maybe spend a day at the lake together. And there's always the cat's favorite method: curl up on the couch with a good book.

In any case spending quality time with you pet not only strengthens the bond you have together. The time together helps you understand your pet's normal behavior better so you'll recognize abnormal behaviors that may indicate a health problem. And your pet will much happier to boot!

Ginny's Top 10 Resolutions: Number 8

Getting better dental care is Ginny's number eight resolution. Why is this important? Eighty-five percent of all dogs and cats in the US have some level of dental disease making it the number one illness veterinarians see. Most pets will not exhibit any overt signs of pain unless a tooth abcesses or breaks, but periodontal disease can be very painful when your pet is eating. That means that not only does their breath smell pretty bad, but they are hurting to some extent, as well. In dogs there is a strong correlation between eating dry food and improved dental health while this isn't necessarily the case for cats. Dogs usually have plaque and tartar build up on their teeth that is composed of bacteria that then leads to peridontal disease of the gums. Left unaddressed this disease complex will lead to gum recession, bone recession, and tooth loss. In addition to possible tartar build up, cats can have one of two clinical syndromes: periodontal disease of varying degrees or a resorptive lesion disorder where the body actually begins to eat away the enamel of the teeth. These are both very painful. In both species there can be a strong genetic predisposition for poor dental health. What can you do? Start with a good oral exam to determine where your pet's oral health stands. Your veterinary health care team can then help you choose the best method for treating and preventing oral disorders.

Sushi's (now Ginny's) Top 10 New Year's Resolutions

Number 9: Be more affectionate and loving. Now why is this so important for pets? It's pretty obvious for dogs. Dogs are very social creatures and, as pack animals, they thrive on social interaction. Good quality affection and interaction is imperative for good health in dogs. As for cats, they tend to let you know what level of affection they need and want. (What's the old saying? Dogs have masters and cats have servants.) But most cats have specific needs for interaction to maintain good health, as well. Here is another good reason to interact daily with your pets. You'll be much more likely to notice any behavioral changes that may indicate a physical exam by your veterinarian is needed. And what do you get out of it? Well, we've all heard about the medical studies that prove that people in direct contact with pets have lower blood pressure and that loving pets help keep people happy and healthy. But if you're reading this blog you probably already know that!

Sushi's Top 10 Resolutions. #10

Number 10 on Sushi's resolution list is to get more exercise. For Sushi, this shouldn't be too hard. She is a very playful cat and loves to chase toys around on the floor. Is this really important for house cats? Certainly it is! Play time not only helps them use more calories (before they become fat) but allows more interaction with their human family members. Cats play by utilizing their hunting instincts. They are attracted to moving objects and often entertain themselves. Try not to make this play too aggressive and avoid using your hands, especially with young kittens, as this may lead to behavioral problems. As for dogs, walking with you around the neighborhood, hiking in the woods, or a visit to the park are all excellent exercise options for both of you. If your dog likes to fetch that's a great interactive activity for both of you, as well. If your dog hasn't been exercising for a while be sure to start slowly and build up to an appropriate amount. If you have an older dog, try to keep his exercise as consistent as possible. Exercising with your pet has many physical and emotional benefits, so let's get started! Dr. Shrum