Pet animals at households or pet shops need more care during the summer. The heat intensifies day by day and it will adversely affect the health of animals. Dogs are especially affected by the scorching summer.
The foreign breeds are often unable to bear the intense heat in our place. Since service of veterinary doctors may not be available during the COVID lockdown, the pet owners need to take good care of the dogs to survive the summer.
Some dog breeds are more prone to heat stroke due to their physical features. English Bulldog, French Bulldog, Pug, Pekingese, Boston Terrier, Chihuahua, Boxer, Pit bull and similar breeds are not able to cope with intense heat and scorching sun.
First aid
If any symptoms like fatigue, fast heartbeat, continuous barking, blue colour on tongue or inability to walk are observed, seek medical help immediately.
In case the dog suffers heat stroke, shift it to a cooler place and give it plenty of cold fresh water to drink. Rub its body using wet towel. Giving ice cubes is not good as it reduce temperature quickly.
Precautions
- Conduct medical checkup before the onset of summer.
- Give medicines for internal and external parasites.
- Reduce exercises during summer.
- Give boxes filled with wet sand to sit.
- Build kennels at shady places.
- Ensure availability of drinking water.
- Brush the fur daily and cut too long hair.
- Do not cut fur very short or shave them off completely.
- Apply sun creams without zinc oxide on body parts directly exposed to sunlight.
Feeding
- Avoid feeding at noon during summer and give food in morning and evening only.
- Give less fatty and hydrating foods soon after cooking.
- Include sweet potato in food as it gives beta-carotene.
- Add a pinch of salt in water to avoid nutrient loss.
- Feed puppies with banana, minced and cooked meat, chopped carrot and apple after cooling them.
- Cooked chicken or beef can be given after cooling it in ice cube tray.
- Give ice creams made of yogurts, banana, carrot, apple or other fruits.
- Avoid giving onion, garlic, grapes and cashew nut.
