Healthcare Traveler - July 2008 - (Page 8)

Paws for Thought E N S U R I N G P E T H E A LT H AT H O M E A N D O N T H E R O A D And the heat goes on! The recent heat wave on the East Coast—reminiscent of Las Vegas temps—took a toll on people and pets. Here’s how your best pals can beat the summer heat. Kim Kilmer W hether your pets are dogs, cats, bunnies, or ferrets, it is critical that you understand how these animals react to hot weather so you can take the necessary steps to protect them from heat-related illnesses. Hot dog Dogs cool off by panting. If they overheat, the panting process can’t drop their temperature enough to cool them. Shaving dogs’ coats does not help the cooling process either. Their natural coats can insulate them from the sun. In the wild, they would cease all activity when warm and find a cool spot to lie in until they cool off. You’ve probably seen dogs dig in the ground until they find cool dirt, then promptly plop themselves down—they are cooling off, from the underside up. If dogs are warm and not engaged in an activity, they will seek enough water to cool themselves. However if you are walking, running, or involved in dog sports in a hot environment, they most likely will keep up the activity until you stop and offer water. It’s essential that you monitor their water intake. Dogs will overheat long before people will. To keep your dog cool, offer water every 10 minutes or so when exercising in the heat. Keep outdoor time limited and make cool water accessible at all times in tip-proof vessels. Also, provide several ice molds to lick. Make shade accessible, but remember that moving, cool air is far more important. Keep your dog in air conditioning or put several fans in the area to cool and move the indoor air. Install a mist system in an area that remains shaded all day if your dog stays outside in hot weather. 8 Healthcare Traveler July 2008 In addition, avoid leaving your dog in your car, even with windows down. Purchase dog beds or tummy vests that, when filled with water, get and stay cold. Find cooling products on a variety of websites and in specialty stores. And always seek medical help if your dog is panting excessively and can’t seem to get comfortable—these symptoms could be the first sign of a heat-related illness. Ask Kim I’m a traveling nurse who loves to ride her bike. My travel companion, Buddy (an 80-pound Golden Retriever/Lab), loves to go with me, but one bird flying over head, and I am flying down the road on my face. We have had basic training, and Buddy does well with commands. He stops as soon as I tell him to “leave it,” but I am on the ground by then. I found a “K9 Cruiser” on the Internet that sounds like it would make our biking safer for both of us. What do you think? Any suggestions? – Janet One cool cat While dogs tend to spend more time outside and on trips, cats can show signs of heat-related problems as well. Those of you who travel with cats in your cars or RVs likely see a higher instance of these occurrences than is typical in the general population. The best rule to follow is, if you see your cats pant, cool them down immediately. Since most cats don’t pant unless under duress, panting due to heatrelated problems is certainly easier to notice. Like dogs, cats experiencing these issues have a more rapid heartbeat than normal and their gums may appear a dark pink or red. To cool cats off quickly, immerse their feet in cool water and apply a cool towel to their necks and belly areas. If they will not drink, carefully administer water with a small squirt bottle aimed at their mouths. Make sure your cat stays cool by keeping the animal indoors in air conditioning or maintaining several fans to cool and move the air. Place frozen cool packs or a cool mat under thin, dry bedding where your cat normally lays. Also, line favorite perching areas with fabric that tends to stay cool (and put the fleece-lined beds up for the winter). Always ensure access to plenty of cool, clean water. » I am an avid cyclist and have found that none of the manufactured attachments work unless your dog knows, without fail, what heeling with attention is. That means being able to heel next to the bike without interruption. Find a trainer in your area who teaches positive attention for heeling dogs. That is the only safe way to keep you, your dog, and your bike vertical at all times. » Attention travelers! Do you have a question for Kim? Send it to plederman@advanstar.com and it could appear in the next edition of “Paws for Thought.” www.healthcaretraveler.com http://www.healthcaretraveler.com

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Healthcare Traveler - July 2008 Editor's Desk Contents By the Numbers Paws for Thought In a Flash Field Notes California Love Affair Taking Your Home on the Road Drug Update Clinical Tips Cityscape Advertisers' Index Name It When In... Good for You Big Deals Tax Facts Going the Distance Contest Rules Starter's Kit Allied Corner Classifieds Tales from the Road

Healthcare Traveler - July 2008

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