Pup to Dog Training A good start for your family dog.

Today fellow IACP (International Association of Canine Professionals) member, Tammie Hisatake-Bumgardner, DVM of Buck Creek Animal Clinic will be our guest blogger. It is a little long but the info coming straight from a vet who also does search and rescue in extreme heat is the best advice for keeping our dogs safe in the heat.  Dr. Tammie has graciously given permission to cross post from the IACP message board. If you wish to use Dr. Tammie's material you must contact her for permission.  Below is her post. 
 

I am back from vacation. Washington DC was lovely and the weather was comfortable.  The weather on my return to Texas is beyond HOT. I want to remind everyone to keep your dogs in during the afternoons. Some days I will not put dogs out to play till 6:30 or 7:00 PM. I keep them in doors at about 98 degrees. If you own a dog that has a short nose (English Bulldog, Pugs). I would be even more careful. 
 A fellow trainer called and told me of a spaniel that walked 45 minutes per day just collapsed and died walking in the heat last week.  This was a young healthy dog. Please watch for excessive panting, high tempurature (the dog's) vomiting and diarrhea.  Remember dogs do not sweat like we do. They need plenty of fresh water.  Exercise or train only in the early or late part of the day when it is cooler.

Exercise Induced Collapse is a medical syndrome that is being studied in Labs. Apparently the Lab is not the only breed that can have it-is also occurs in other active dogs like the Malinois. Here is the link to read more about it. It is genetic and can be fatal.  To read more go to the following link  
http://www.cvm.umn.edu/vdl/ourservices/canineneuromuscular/taylor2008/home.html

Spring time usually means we begin a cycle of lawn care. I am reading "Organic Lawn Care Manual".  I don't know if the lawn care suggestions are good (give me time to try them) but I want to remind pet owners that pets are more susceptible to the effects of chemicals in the lawn.  In the April 2004 Journal of Vetrinary Medicine Association a study showed a 5 to 7 times increase in bladder cancer for dogs exposed to chemically treated lawns.   Read and follow the directions carefully on both organic and nonorganic lawn care products. Carefully consider the impact of lawn chemicals on your pets before you use them.

Hurricane Ike reminded me that all pet owners should have an emergency evacuation list and perhaps even a bag packed. Emergency preparation can save your pets in case of a number of different scenarios. Training is crucial to a smooth evacuation. Don't wait till you need to crate your dog in an emergency to see if they will stay quietly in a kennel. It is a good idea to practice with older trained dogs just to be sure your pet will stay calm. Things you need:

• Vaccination records
• Vet contact info
• Leash and collar
• Food for several days
• Kennel or crate
• Water
• Toys
• Appropriate chews
• Bowls
• Medicine(s)