As we have commented on more than one occasion, dogs suffer from the summer heat much more than we do. If your furry also has a flattened snout, the heat becomes much more worrisome and you should take double precautions. Be careful with the high temperatures! Especially if your pet is a bulldog, boxer, or pug.
To begin with, it is essential that you know how to recognize brachycephalic dogs . These dogs have a flattened snout and very particular folds on the face. They also have shorter than normal faces and bones, so their anatomy is completely altered.
In addition, these dogs have a flattened face, so much so that their nostrils are smaller than normal. Although these furry ones have a very funny appearance, their flattened snout makes them more exposed to high temperatures and respiratory problems. You must be very careful with heat stroke!
Brachycephalic dog breeds
There are many breeds of brachycephalic dogs, although among the most common are the pug, boxer, French bulldog, English bulldog, Pekingese, Boston terrier, Shar Pei and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Again, we insist that you ask a specialist for advice if your furry is one of these breeds.
Risks for the furry
Short-nosed or brachycephalic dogs tend to suffer from respiratory problems and, as we said at the beginning, they are more sensitive to heat than other dogs. So much so that there is the so-called brachycephalic dog syndrome , in which the following respiratory abnormalities are collected:
- Narrower nostrils.
- Soft palate too broad. This could cause your pet to partially block his airway.
- Laryngeal collapse It is one of the most serious complications, since the airways are completely obstructed.
- Reduced diameter of the trachea.
As a result of these problems, dogs have difficulty breathing and swallowing, cannot exercise normally, and snore. Likewise, it should be noted that dogs do not sweat to regulate body temperature as we do. Its main way of cooling itself is by panting. In the case of brachycephalic dogs, their anatomy makes them cool less efficiently than other dogs.
How to cool brachycephalic dogs
Although we have to protect all the furry ones from the sun in summer, special care must be taken with these dogs. Remember that prevention is better than cure! Therefore, you should take into account the following recommendations:
- Moderate the daily exercise of the furry. In addition, walks and outdoor activities will have to be done in times of less heat, first thing in the morning or late in the afternoon.
- Give him fresh, clean water. You will need to change the water quite often to keep it fresh. Nobody likes to drink hot water in summer!
- Refresh your rest area. And find him a cool area where he can sleep and be calm. In the market there is a wide variety of products to refresh your pet, such as summer baskets or cooling blankets.
- Use a harness instead of a collar. The harness is much safer, since it does not put pressure on the neck or the airways of the furry dog.
- Give him his food in the coolest hours. In addition, you can also ration their food to facilitate digestion.
- Use refreshing snacks. Although you should not change the diet of the furry, you can give fruits and vegetables in a moderate way.
Heat stroke
When it is too hot, panting may be insufficient for the furry to regulate temperature. It is imperative that you recognize the symptoms of heat stroke and apply first aid. Your dog’s life could depend on it!
If your dog is panting very hard, having difficulty breathing, increasing his heart rate, or having seizures, he could be suffering from heat stroke. The most important thing is that you refresh the furry immediately , immersing him in a bathtub with water or taking him to a cooler place.
Try to get him to drink water , never cold but fresh, and you should do it a little bit, never in much quantity or it could be counterproductive. If he can’t move, give it to him with a syringe or in your hands.
Whether the dog manages to improve or not, you will have to take him to the vet to check that he has no faults in the body. Summer is a great time to enjoy with our pets, but always taking precautions and watching over their health.
