Keeping Your Boxer Safe in Hot Weather
We were sent the following veterinary guidance and felt it was too valuable not to pass along to our visitors. Heat can pose a serious risk to pets, particularly dogs that live outdoors, so a veterinarian explains how to keep a dog cool and steer clear of heat stress and heat stroke during the summer months.
Summer is tough on dogs that stay outside all day, yet even a house dog can see its body temperature climb after only a few minutes outdoors. Dr. Bryan Welty, a veterinarian at Capitol Animal Clinic in Lincoln, Nebraska, offers practical tips for keeping a dog cool when temperatures rise.
Recognising and Responding to Heat Stress or Heat Stroke
Dogs that spend long hours outdoors are the most vulnerable to heat illness, but indoor dogs can suffer heat stroke too, Dr. Welty notes. Dogs do not sweat; their only means of releasing heat is through their paw pads and their tongue, which is a remarkably inefficient system. A dog that runs around the yard for even a short time can sharply raise its body temperature.
Watch for signs of heat stress such as disorientation, heavy panting, and a refusal to eat or drink. Even though the dog needs water, it may turn away from it. If you suspect heat stress, step in and help the dog cool down.
- Move the dog near a fan or into air conditioning.
- Place the dog in a bathtub with lukewarm water, then gradually add cooler water.
- Keep only a few inches of water in the tub, since heat escapes through the foot pads.
- Never dump cold water on the dog — start lukewarm and cool the water slowly.
Dr. Welty explains that as a pet's body temperature rises, blood flow throughout the body increases. Pouring cold water onto the body causes the capillaries to constrict instantly, which can lead to a potentially life-threatening blood clot. In his words, it is imperative that you do not dump cool water on your pet.
Important Note
The material on this website is offered for educational purposes only. Weepin Oaks Boxers does not provide veterinary services or guidance. Please consult your veterinarian about the care of your animals.
About Weepin Oaks Boxers
Weepin Oaks Boxers is based at Weepin Oaks Farm, established in 2005, in Jack, Alabama. Owner: Margie McMillan. Phone: C-334-282-2113 — if there is no answer, please leave a message if you are interested in a boxer pup or adult. Email: [email protected].
We raise AKC Boxers in fawns, brindles, reverse brindles, mahogany fawns, mahogany brindles and mahogany reverse brindles. Our sealed brindle is retired. We are AKC inspected and approved. We are closed on Sundays, Easter, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. We also raise AQHA & FQHR Quarter Horses.
Weepin Oaks Boxers always reserves first choice puppy after the litter is born for our breeding program. After that, puppy buyers may choose first reserved, second reserved and so forth. All of our Boxers are AKC purebred Boxers.