Mê Thú Cưng - Pet Magazine for Vietnam Native Dogs in Vietnam Issue | Page 25

Advice from a Veterinarian Coping with the heat! How to help your pet when dealing with the constant heat and humidity of Vietnam. A lot of pet owners in Vietnam often ask this question – especially those who have brought their pets from colder overseas climates. Fortunately there are several simple things you can do to make your pet much more comfortable in Vietnam’s climate. Water Always provide fresh water to your pet. In lower temperatures animals quite often drink less but in higher temperatures they have to drink much more to keep themselves well-hydrated and avoid dehydration – which can have severe consequence! The first signs of dehydration are dry gums, sunken eyes and poor skin elasticity – if you notice any of these signs you should never ignore them and seek veterinary advice immediately. Remember that when you go for a walk with your dog you should ALWAYS bring with you water and a bowl and make sure to offer it regularly - the same when you are travelling by a car. If you stop to have a break, remember to give some water to your animal. You can also use the water to wet your pets coat and feet if they start to get too hot. Shade NEVER leave your pet outside without easy access to a well-shaded area with a plentiful supply of water an ideally in an area where there is some air movement. Leaving your dog alone on the balcony or roof is never good idea - it doesn’t take long to get overheated and start to experience heatstroke. This is especially important if you leave your animal in your car – with the magnifying effect of the glass windows even only a few minutes can lead to heat stroke. It’s not only the temperature that rises rapidly in the car but the ambient humidity too which means that the harder your pet pants to reduce their temperature the less effective it becomes – sometimes minutes can mean the difference between life and death. If your pet is panting, drooling or breathing very fast after it was left in the car or in any other hot place take them to your vet immediately. Sweat The only way that your dog can loose heat is through their paws and panting. This is really important to remember especially when you’re out and about in cities as the temperature of the ground (especially concrete and tarmac) can prevent any heat loss from their paws. The most effective way for your dog to cool down is through panting so if you need to muzzle your dog (to prevent them eating or for safety) it’s very important that you choose a style that allows them to open their mouth adequately. • Excellent Medical Care / Chăm sóc y tế chất lượng cao • State of the Art Technology / Góc nghệ thuật Hair It seems logical that clipping your pets hair short is a good way to let them keep cooler. Actually, this is not the case – as the long hair is very protective against the sun’s rays and prevents heatstroke as well as being an integral part of how your dogs physiology works to regulate heat. If you have a very active long- haired dog and are outside in the heat the best option is to trim only the hair underneath the abdomen where there is no direct sunlight. Clothing While your pooch may look cute in their new clothes remember that they can’t tell you how they feel – and wearing clothes can make them very hot! This is especially true with ‘waterproof’ clothing as it traps the heat inside and can quickly cause temperatures to rise. What to Do? If you notice any of the signs of heat stroke following these steps: »soak » your pet with room-temperature water (never use iced water as this PREVENTS heat loss). »wrap » your pet in cool wet towels. »wet » your pets paws with medical alcohol to encourage heat loss. »call » your veterinarian and let them know you are on your way so they can prepare . »go » to your vet immediately. • Highly Skilled Veterinarians / Bác sĩ thú y tay nghề cao • Purpose Design Premises / Mục đích thiết kế cơ bản Địa chỉ: 1 Trần Ngọc Diện, Thảo Điền, Quận 2, TP. Hồ Chí Minh TEL [phone] Email: [email protected] Web: http://www.animaldoctors.vn Giờ mở cửa / Opening Hours: 9 AM - 8 PM (7 ngày/tuần) 24/7 cấp cứu và chăm sóc tích cực / 24 hour emergency service Now Open! Free Comprehensive Examination For First-Time Clients Hiện đang mở cửa! Miễn phí kiểm tra toàn diện dành cho những khách hàng đầu tiên Come and visit us! Hãy ghé thăm chúng tôi! Mê Thú Cưng | Volume 01 2017 | methucung.vn 25