Here comes the sun

From the Desk of: Frank McAleer DVM, Medical Driector VCA East Hartford

It’s that time of year again. The days are getting longer and warmer, and people and their dogs are going outside in the sun. In the veterinary world, that means that we are going to start seeing heat-related injuries appear in our hospitals. These cases can be very serious indeed. We have treated many heat stroke cases successfully, but unfortunately, not all heat injury cases have a good conclusion. It is much better to avoid them in the first place.

Why does it keep happening? Well, a heat stroke can be sneaky. Surprisingly, I don’t see many dogs with heat stroke on very hot days— I see more on relatively normal days. I think that is because people are aware of the heat when it is over 90 degrees and are careful with their pets. But people tend to let down their guard and assume all will be well when it is cooler than that. Every client says the same thing: “But it’s not that hot out!” Of course, all dogs need access to water, shade and rest in the summer. But here are some common situations I see that result in heat injuries.

Older dogs with laryngeal issues are the most common to have heat injuries. You may have noticed that older large-breed dogs can sound hoarse when they pant. These dogs do not pant as efficiently as they used to and they have trouble shedding heat. Some of these dogs had no trouble with heat last summer, but might have serious trouble this year. Do not exercise older dogs in the heat. Stick to morning and evening walks. If they start to pant a bit hard, get them into a cool environment quickly. If they seem weak or the sound of their panting starts to sound different or stressed, it may be time for a visit to the ER. The harder they work to pant, the more swelling can develop on their larynx, and the cycle gets worse and worse as the body temperature increases. Do not delay seeing a veterinarian.

Another group at high risk in the heat are the short-faced dogs like bulldogs, pugs and Frenchies. These dogs have trouble moving air efficiently in any circumstance, but in hot, humid weather that deficiency can become dangerous. Again, short-faced dogs must not be pushed to exercise when it’s hot or very humid. Even if they are asking to go, use caution. You may have to be the voice of reason for them.

And do I even need to mention dogs in parked cars in the summer? Cars can be like ovens. Cracked windows are not enough. Parking under a tree is not enough. Never leave dogs unattended in cars.

Lastly, remember that the pavement, and especially metal plates and manhole covers, can get very hot in the sun and can severely burn a dog’s foot pads. Walk a dog’s in the morning or evening. If you can’t walk barefoot on the pavement, don’t let your dog walks on it.

As for cats, I have never seen a cat with a heat injury. They seem to have some better sense about heat than dogs and humans!

Dr. McAleer, better known as Dr. Mac, is Medical Director at VCA East Hartford Animal Hospital. He served in the army as a veterinarian in North Carolina and the Middle East for 3 years prior to joining VCA in 2001.

Summer 2023

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Maple is a stunning and energetic 2.5-year-old cattle dog mix, full grown at nearly 60 lbs. She is crate-trained, house trained, and never met a ball she wouldn’t fetch. Miss Maple is clever, affectionate and bossy, and she requires an adult home where she is the only pet. She has been professionally trained, is well-behaved in the house and loves to hike and be outside – a fenced yard is her dream. Maple’s herding instincts are too strong to safely live with small animals or children, so we think her ideal home could be with active empty nesters or childfree folks who want a walking or hiking companion and understand that Maple is not the type of dog you can bring to breweries or dog parks. Maple is spayed, up to date on vaccines, and microchipped. She has been with our rescue for half her life – over a year – and we are determined to find Maple the right forever home! Her adoption fee is waived for the right adopter(s). To meet Maple, please read our adoption info and apply here: www.woofgangrescue. org/adoption-application/

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