Tag: brachycephalic syndrome

Tips to Protect Your Dog on Hot Days

We've had a few hot days and seen lots of people taking great care of their dogs. As we chat with friends, all of us share tips on how we're rearranging our routines to make things safer for our canine companions. Here are a few of those ideas.

Arrange your walk schedule so that longer treks are in the cooler parts of the day. Slow down and let your dog take more breaks and maybe even a short snooze, if that's what works for him or her. Offer drinks of water often.

If you use dog walkers, ask them to adjust how long your dog is out in the heat.

This is especially important if your dog is in fragile health, elderly, or one of the flat-faced breeds that are susceptible to brachycephalic syndrome, a condition that makes breathing more difficult.

Carry water for your dog. Most pet supply shops sell water bottles with attached caps or covers that serve as a dog cup. There are collapsible water dishes that you can fill from a water fountain or your own bottle of water.

Check the Heat of the Pavement

Press your hand on the blacktop for 10 seconds as a way to determine if it will be uncomfortable or dangerous for your dog.

On hot days, let your dog walk on grass or dirt as much as possible to give those paws a break.

If you are visiting an even hotter climate than ours this summer, consider putting boots on your dog, if that’s the only way to protect bare paws from the hot pavement.

We've also discovered that the white lines painted as crosswalks are much cooler than the blacktop, so we direct Poppy's paws along that path as we cross streets.

At the beach, sand can be as hot as pavement, check it with your own bare feet. Walking along the wave line or in shallow water can give your dog a break from the hot sand.

It should go without saying that you should never leave your dog in a car in hot weather. The American Veterinary Medical Association warns, “The temperature inside your vehicle can rise almost 20º F in just 10 minutes.” They also say, “We've heard the excuses: ‘Oh, it will just be a few minutes while I go into the store,’ or ‘But I cracked the windows …’ These excuses don't amount to much if your pet becomes seriously ill or dies from being left in a vehicle.”

Here's a post we did on that topic complete with a video by a veterinarian who stayed in a hot car to show what happens.

Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino (edited for BostonZest from one of our City Paw newspaper columns)
Photos: ©2014-2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino

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Dog Breed Health Issues with a Link to a Comprehensive List by Breed

Just as human genetics put us at higher risk for various health issues, the health challenges that you might face with different breeds of dogs can be somewhat predicted, monitored, and perhaps avoided.

Healthiest Breeds

If you wanted to choose a dog based on the probability of good health, you might be best to adopt a mixed breed or a working dog that is still used for its original purpose like a Foxhound or Australian Cattle Dog.

In a post on the 10 Healthiest Dog Breeds, Jennifer Coates, DVM veterinary advisor to petMD.com had an explanation for those choices. “A recent study showed that mix breed dogs were significantly less likely to develop ten genetically based diseases, including some types of heart disease, musculoskeletal problems, allergic skin disease, and hyperthyroidism.”

As for those working dogs she said, “When breeders focus on function instead of just good looks, they naturally weed out the dogs that develop debilitating illnesses or injuries.”

Examples of Health Issues by Breed

Bulldogs, Shih Tzus, and other breeds with what appear to be pushed in faces can have brachycephalic syndrome that can lead to severe respiratory distress.

Breeds with bulging eyes, like Pugs and Boston Terriers, are at risk for eye problems. Have your vet brief you on what to do if an accident causes your dog’s eye to dislocate from the socket.

Large breeds, such as German Shepherds and Labs, can have hip dysplasia. This can also happen in Golden Retrievers who may also suffer from allergy, eye, and heart problems.

Giant Breeds, like the Great Dane, do have shorter life spans and must be fed carefully to prevent bloat and rapid puppy growth that can cause Wobbler Syndrome (a neurologic disease). Bloat is also a problem with German Shorthaired Pointers.

Dachshunds can have back problems. Mitral valve disease is common in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. Greyhounds suffer from malignant bone cancer more than any other breed. Epilepsy can occur in Poodles along with hypothyroidism, Addison’s disease, and Cushing’s syndrome.

Here's That Link to More Information for Your Dog

The Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association has published an extensive, cross-referenced “Guide to Congenital and Heritable Disorders in Dogs." Once you know about the conditions that might occur in your dog, you can work with your veterinary team to keep a watch and take preventative steps.

Should you have your heart set on a particular breed, (like the adorable King Charles puppy above) despite what you learn about health issues, work with a responsible breeder who will be open about how their breeding program has addressed these issues. Ask for multiple references to people with dogs from their line who are free of the conditions.

Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino (adapted from a previously published City Paws Newspaper column)
Photos: ©2011-2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino

February 7, 2016