The first days of summer have proven one thing. There is a heat wave among us. Triple digit temperatures are burning up the southwest and making its way across the nation. We all know how to cool ourselves down but do you know how to keep your bully cool?
Taking a walk in the early morning is a great way to start your day. The temperature is mild and the birds are chirping. One of the best things about walking your dog is that it tires them out. A tired bully is less likely to misbehave if you work during the day.
A late evening walk is also beneficial because the temperature has dropped. It helps you and your dog to unwind after a long day. It allows you to nurture the bond you have. It also tires you and your dog for a more restful night of sleep.
When temperatures rise in the summer, your dog can really feel the heat. Keeping your dog cool is vital for its well being, as heat stroke in dogs is a life-threatening condition. Warning signs include panting excessively, moving sluggishly, acting woozy, and losing consciousness. If you observe any of these signs, call your veterinarian immediately.
Be aware of conditions that may cause or exacerbate heat stroke
Dogs that are elderly, obese, or have a history of heart disease or seizures are more likely to suffer from heat strokes and may have a lower tolerance for increased heat.
Dogs with shorter snouts, dogs with shorter muzzles like the Bully Breed have a harder time panting out their body heat, so they are at higher risk.
With the heat wave settling in, it’s not just the outdoor temperature that is a concern, on a warm day, inside a parked car can reach 120 degrees within minutes. In an article at the huffingtonpost.com, they presented the AVMA’s scientific proof. In just 10 minutes, the temperature inside a parked car rose 19 degrees. They also stated that cracking the windows does not efficiently decrease the temperature rise.
It is recommended by many veterinarians to keep bully breed dogs indoors when it is 85 degrees or hotter outside. Buliess have a tendency to overheat easily, as do many brachycephalic breeds. They are not efficient panters, and therefore are not able to cool as easily as other breeds.
The Bully Breed does not tolerate heat as well as others. So you should avoid areas that have excessive heat
Signs Your Bully May Be Overheating
- Excessive panting
- Heaving while panting
- Odd sounds coming from the throat
- Very floppy, loose, discolored tongue
- Possible foaming from the mouth
- Exhaustion from the fight for breath
- If you see any of these signs, your Bully is likely to be overheating.
What to do if your Bully is overheating
1. If possible, move the dog indoors to an air-conditioned area. If that is not possible, move him/her to a shaded area outdoors, preferably with decent air flow. You will also need to restrict the dog’s activity at this point; do not allow him to run around until the danger of heat stroke has passed.
2. Allow the dog to drink cool water. Keep the quantity of the water small at first. It is not advisable to give the dog sports drinks. If the dogs seems uninterested in water, cool or room temperature (low-fat, unsalted) beef or chicken broth is an acceptable substitute
3. Cool the dog with water. If possible, wet the dog with a stream of cool water. If the water is coming from a hose, be sure that the pressure is reduced. Do not submerge your dog underwater completely, as it can lose temperature too quickly, which may lead to other complications.
Be sure that the water is not overly cold. Very cold or ice water can actually slow the dog’s cooling processes
4. Place rubbing alcohol on the pads of the dog’s paws. Dogs release heat from the pads of their feet, so putting rubbing alcohol on the pads can help draw some of the heat out. Be sure that the feet are uncovered and exposed to cool air. Do not use too much alcohol, as it can be harmful if ingested.
5. Have some lemon juice handy in case they start choking on their own saliva. Lemon juice will break down the saliva and assist the cooling process.
6. Do not cover or confine the dog. You can wipe the dog down with cool, damp towels, but do not drape the towels over it, as they can trap in the dog’s body heat. Similarly, do not place the dog in a closed crate that will hold the heat from his body in around its body.
7. Know How to Apply Chest Compressions (If dog is unconscious or unresponsive)
Freak events do happen, but if it does, knowing how to apply chest compressions to your Bully could be life saving. Events that would require such a maneuver would be sudden unconsciousness and non-response.
Check out this video where this dog’s life is saved by a dog trainer applying CPR – truly incredible (and terrifying):
Take all the precautions you can to keep your Bully out of danger.
You can avoid the majority of these potentially deadly mistakes by keeping your bully cool and hydrated during the hot summer months. Remember, they depend on you to do whats right.
– Bushman Bullies with BULLY KING Magazine
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