houndzrus Posted May 31, 2009 Report Share Posted May 31, 2009 My 3 are exhausted from the heat today. Dave took them out last night, but they haven't been walked yet today. They have been outside, but only for a few minutes for wee breaks. Shall wait till about 8 to take them walkies. It's difficult isn't it? Spike only got to the end of our road last night, and Keith thought he would have to carry him back. He 's spent most of today indoors, so he has learnt not to come out in the sun. (Spike that is, not Keith) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redditchlady Posted May 31, 2009 Report Share Posted May 31, 2009 Bless him I think I've caught it too. I've gone cold now, put after sun on and have drank 4 pints of water already. Folks be careful out there, there was a bit of a breeze sat waiting for RAC Friday night and also at the rally, but I'm red raw and I don't burn as a general rule. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackmagic Posted May 31, 2009 Report Share Posted May 31, 2009 Can I just give a warning about dogs travelling in cars during hot weather. A few years ago a vet told me of a sad case that she had had. A couple were touring the north of Scotland with their bull terrier. The dog was in the back of the car and they thought he was enjoying snoozing in the sun. They didn't realise he had overheated, caused by the sun shining on him through the glass. When they stopped they found he was unconscious and rushed him to the local vet surgery. Despite the vet's best efforts, with cooling enemas etc. the dog died. The vet said that she really felt sorry for the couple as they had not really done anything wrong. They had been in the car with the dog but just didn't realise the effect of the sun shining through the glass onto the dog. I now always have sunblinds on the rear windows or get tinted glass ( or both) and check that the sun is not shining directly on to the dogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K9Fran Posted May 31, 2009 Report Share Posted May 31, 2009 Saw three dogs being walked today, at lunchtime (13.00 hrs) one on a lead, walking on hot tarmac (have you ever walked on hot tarmac in your bare feet?) and two others, once a staffie type, the other a collie RUNNING to keep up with their owners on bikes!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranirottie Posted May 31, 2009 Report Share Posted May 31, 2009 I walked the four girls a little earlier through the woods where it is cool and shady and it was still too hot. Ebbi loves to sunbathe but she finds walking difficult in the heat. Needless to say we didn't go far. x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EAD Posted May 31, 2009 Report Share Posted May 31, 2009 In this weather I walk these lot in the morning between 6am and 7am, during the day they are brought in from the garden if they get too hot, then in the evening they sometimes get out for another walk. I am a bit paranoid about them overheating. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happylittlegreensquirrel Posted May 31, 2009 Report Share Posted May 31, 2009 yep send it anywhere you like if it makes people think, stops a bite incident, or saves a life im happy Fantastic thank you I would also like to use it do you have a link to where it is on your site so I can add a link Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brenda Posted May 31, 2009 Report Share Posted May 31, 2009 Our dogs travel in the boot area of our Picasso and I worry about them getting hot through the glass. Does anyone know the best place to buy a sunshield for the rear window please? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rumpole Posted May 31, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 31, 2009 linky http://www.bullbreedadvisoryservice.com/hotweathertips.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranirottie Posted May 31, 2009 Report Share Posted May 31, 2009 (edited) luckily our back windows are tinted quite darkly and we always have the rear windows wound right down when we are in the car. The dogs can't get over the back seats because we raise the three headrests right up, mind you they have never attempted it but there is always a first time. x Edited May 31, 2009 by ranirottie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyMalc Posted June 1, 2009 Report Share Posted June 1, 2009 We went for a long walk first thing yesterday morning, and the other walks were on lead round the estate, looking for the shaded areas. A friend of mine advised me - when I got the van - to use radiator foil on the inside to keep it cooler and that seems to help. The van looks like a gigantic cool bag on the inside Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wendbert Posted June 1, 2009 Report Share Posted June 1, 2009 I've got a sunshield on the back window of my car which covers pretty much all of the glass. It was just an ordinary one from Halfords but when I got it, they had different sizes. Also, the boys have a cage fan attached to the dog guard so it blows air in their direction. It's like this: I've used cable ties to attach it to the guard and stop it falling off Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rumpole Posted June 1, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 1, 2009 the one on the site has been updated from the one posted here so ill re post below ‘Mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun’ Hot weather coupled with dogs and children spending long periods outdoors, can lead to bite incidents taking place. Dogs can suffer heat exhaustion a symptom of which is irritability, that along with the long school holidays meaning the presence of children racing around or squealing in a paddling pool can result in a bite incident, as can family barbeques where food and is present, perhaps music is blaring, and the dogs owners are otherwise engaged. A larger number of people than usual are present and enter and leave the premises at will, a door left open can lead to the dog escaping, being stolen or being involved in an incident or accident for which the owner will be legally responsible for. Visitors may also not be comfortable with or know how to act around dogs. It is the owners responsibility both legally and morally to ensure that their dog is not put in the position where an incident could take place, and thought should be given to putting the dog into a quiet room during parties or gatherings. Health risks As soon as the weather becomes warmer it seems as if the dog population has risen, dogs who have been walked around the block during the winter months are taken to the beach, local beauty spots or the countryside, but its important to remember that hot weather affects dogs in many ways. It can cause irritability leading to bite incidents and even death for your pet. Even a short walk during the hottest part of the day can cause heat stroke which causes the dogs core temperature to rise rapidly, unfortunately if this happens on a walk it is often fatal before a dog can be taken to a vet. All breeds of dogs can suffer in the heat, white dogs or dogs with white ears or faces can suffer horrific sunburn, Black absorbs heat so black dogs can succumb to heat stroke far quicker than a different coloured dog in the same situation as can long coated breeds, and dogs with very short muzzles such as bulldogs or pugs can struggle to breathe as the mucus membranes in the tongue , mouth and throat swell in order to attempt to cool them, and foot pads can also be damaged due to being walked on extremely hot floor surfaces and tarmac. Yet still we see the seasonal droves of people heading out at midday for a stroll with a heavily panting dog trailing at the end of a lead. Please please please take dogs out only in the early morning or late evening, your dogs life is a very high price to pay for the sake of a midday stroll Heat exhaustion is often caused by over-exercising or running with a dog during hot weather it can occur even in the early evening so care should be taken with the nature of the exercise given during the summer months. Both heatstroke and heat exhaustion can result in brain damage, heart failure or even death in a short period of time. Again short muzzled or thick-coated breeds and mixes are particularly vulnerable, although any breed may be at risk, particularly black dogs. Always bring cool water along when walking with your dog during hot weather. To cool off an overheated dog, offer him plenty of water, then wet the dog's body and paws with cool water, then fan. A dog's normal internal body temperature is between 100.5 degrees F and 02 degrees F. Signs to watch for are: heavy, loud breathing, staggering gait, bright red gum tissue and tongue. If heatstroke is suspected, try to cool your dog down as quickly as possible with cool but not cold water, so as not to shock the dogs system and seek veterinary care quickly as this is a serious medical emergency. Outdoors If your pet spends any length of time outdoors during summer, make sure he has a shaded place and plenty of fresh water to drink. Your pet will need much more water in the summer to replenish what he loses by panting. Many dogs also enjoy swimming for exercise and to cool down, though care should be taken if they are allowed to swim in canals or slow moving water as there is an increased risk of leptospirosis and although dogs are vaccinated against this as part of their vaccination course they are only vacced against the more common strains and there is doubt that the vaccination lasts more than six months, this is a terrible illness that is transferable to humans and often results in death for the dog. Please do not allow your dogs off lead near a canal as the high sides prevent your dog being able to climb out if he should fall in. Dogs die in hot cars Leaving your dog in a parked car in the summer (even with the window left a few inches open), can cause heatstroke within minutes. Note: Leaving your dog in a car parked in the shade does not assure that your dog will not become seriously overheated. Shaded cars may still get very hot due to the the greenhouse effect, and the sun may also move enough to change shaded areas into sunny ones. Dogs left in parked cars also risk being stolen. Prevent your dog from hanging his head out of a moving car window when taking him for a ride. Bugs, small pebbles and other debris can injure his eyes, and he is at risk of jumping out of the vehicle. Open Windows, Fire Escapes and Rooftops During hot weather, many people leave a few windows open in their home to help create a nice cool cross-breeze. If you have a dog or cat at home, be certain to install secure window screens (or safety bars) in any of the windows which will be left open, or close all windows before leaving the house, if your dog sees or hears something exciting outside he may use an open window as an escape route even if he has never done so previously, also many companion animals fall out of windows, and fire-escapes every year and are often seriously injured or killed. Protect Your Dog From Being Stolen Companion animal theft is unfortunately a serious problem in this country. The number of companion animals that are stolen from backyards and from outside stores and supermarkets increases dramatically throughout Spring, Summer and Fall. Even the "safest" neighbourhoods are not immune to this growing problem. The bottom line is: never leave your dog unsupervised Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wendbert Posted June 1, 2009 Report Share Posted June 1, 2009 Melf, would you mind if I link to your site with that article from Wiggle's blog? He gets 300-400 views a week so would be good to get the info far and wide Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rumpole Posted June 1, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 1, 2009 link to anywhere you like as you say its important to get the message across Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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