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Bulldog Lover Calendars and Gifts

January 29, 2011 By 1 Comment

dec pics 080 300x225 Bulldog Lover Calendars and Gifts Bulldogs are also in the top 10 of America’s favorite dog breed according to the American Kennel Club. Despite their gruff appearance, they are really just pussycats.

Originally bred for in the British Isles for “bull baiting”, they were ferocious dogs with an insensitivity to pain. When dog fighting became illegal, breeders selectively chose the gentle disposition and eliminated the ferocious nature. Now bulldogs are wonderful family pets with a gentle dispositions. They do have a few problems due to their genetics and the large head and flat faces. First one, they almost always have to be delivered by c-section and bred with AI (artificial insemination) , which makes them very expensive to buy and breed. Bulldogs are also very prone to overheating and heat stroke and should not be left in the heat. I have also noticed a problem with demodectic mange due to their inbreeding and I have also found some that are deaf.

To learn more about bulldogs, AKC.org is an excellent resource.29790147580206394 Bulldog Lover Calendars and Giftsplay Bulldog Lover Calendars and Gifts

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Cooling Bandanas for Dogs

May 31, 2010 By 1 Comment

With the coming of summer comes the possibility of heat stroke in our dogs. Dog cooling bandanas may help to prevent our dogs from becoming over heated and help them to stay cool in the heat.

coolbandana Cooling Bandanas for Dogs Cooling Bandanas for Dogs
Outward Hound Cool-it Bandana – LARGE Cooling Bandanas for Dogs

Although panting can help dogs stay cool, some dogs don’t want to slow down long enough to cool themselves off. For these dogs there are dog bandanas, a fun way for us to dress up our dogs and help them beat the heat too. Dog cooling bandanas come in different styles and colors. Cool-it Bandanas help cool your pet and are stylish as well! The non-toxic polymer crystals inside the bandanas readily absorb up to 30 times their weight and help keep your dog cool for hours. To use these bandanas, soak them in cold water for several minutes or, to extend the cooling time, simply put them in the refrigerator before using. The crystals inside the bandanas swell when wet and help your dog stay cool for several hours. These cooling dog bandanas are also hand washable. We know ourselves when we feel overheated what a cool bandana placed around our neck does for us. It immediately helps us feel cooler and it will work the same way for our canine friends.

When the temperature soars and dogs cannot find shade or be in a cool environment, help them keep their cool with a stylish fun dog cooling bandana. For this dog cooling bandana and other ideas to help your dog stay cool, visit

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Can You Prevent Dog Heat Stroke?

August 11, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Dog heat stroke can happen very quickly on these hot summer days. With summer upon us, we need to remember that just like us, our dogs can become overheated if out in the sun too long.  This fact was brought to my attention just this morning when our Border Collie Pepper was helping us trail a herd of cattle home. We got a late start, the sun was already getting hot, and we were not yet close to home. The cows were resistant and even with the help of us on our horses, Pepper had her work cut out for her. Pepper was more than glad to have a ride back to the ranch, where she immediately lay down in a tub of cool water.

Dogs sometimes do not know enough to get out of the heat so it is important that we provide them with a shaded place to be when they are left outside. It is also important to keep fresh cool water available for them to drink; leaving a dish of water where the sun can reach it is not a good option. If you need to take your dog with you and it is hot out, be sure to take some extra drinking water along for them.  If your dog, like Pepper, gets too hot, be sure and take them in out of the sun and give them a bath in cool water. If they still seem unfit, take them to see your veterinarian right away. The best cure for dog heat stroke is prevention.

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Keep Your Pet Cool This Summer

May 12, 2009 By 4 Comments

We humans can cool off during the “dog days” of summer with a visit to the swimming pool, the local creek, or a quick dip in the ocean. But our canine companions may not have the same luxury, so how can we help them keep cool?

Every summer, veterinarians, especially in the southern states, see this same scene many times. Snickers, a Cairn Terrier, was playing in the backyard. Now he is listless, panting hard and having a difficult time breathing. Frantically, Snickers’ owner rushed him to the veterinary clinic.

Once there, the veterinary technician took Snickers’ temperature and discovered it to be soaring over 106 degrees! Snickers was suffering from heat stroke. Luckily for Snickers, and with the help of the veterinary team and the actions of a quick acting owner, Snickers recovered fully from his near death experience.

Why did Snickers get so hot so quick? Dogs do not sweat like people do. Their only cooling mechanism is by panting. The moisture from their tongue evaporates and this helps lower their temperature. Anything that disrupts this natural cooling system, such as intense heat, exercise, or squirrel chasing, can lead to very high temperatures and heat stroke. Many dogs are left alone at home during the day, and may find themselves without shade or cool water to drink. Even just a few minutes in a car can find the inside temperature soaring over 120 degrees and can again lead to heat stroke in the dog.

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Normally, a dog’s temperature ranges from 100 to 102.5 degrees. In cases of heat stroke, temperatures over 106 degrees are considered to be an emergency situation – temperatures over 110 degrees can be fatal in a matter of minutes.

This level of hyperthermia (higher than normal body temperature) can affect every major body system, including the kidney and heart, therefore it is imperative you get your pet to a veterinarian as soon as you safely can.

Dogs who develop heat stroke may show the following symptoms:
• Vigorous or excessive panting
• Inability to stand, or weakness while standing
• Thick, ropey saliva, copiously frothing from the mouth
• Bright red mucous membranes (gums), although some dogs may show pale or even muddy gums.

Heat stroke can affect any dog, but the brachy-cephalic dogs with short faces, such as Boston, Pugs, and Bulldogs may be at higher risk due their inability to effectively pant and cool themselves. Older dogs sometimes have more trouble with temperature regulation as well as young puppies.

Many people believe that their pet will be fine outdoors. However, inadequate shade and/or water can affect even the most seasoned outdoor dog. Water left outside in the sun can heat up to hot for them to drink. Outdoor water fountains for dogs can help provide fresh cool water and dog houses can help with the shade.
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If you like to take your dog for a walk, but the concrete is too hot, or he is a small dog and walks just plain tire him out, you may try one of the dog strollers.

Surprisingly, heat stroke in cats is very rare.   Most animal experts believe that cats are extremely good at finding the coolest spots to lay and also avoid the excessive, exertions that many dogs seem to thrive on.

If you find your dog panting excessively on a warm summer day, immediately move your dog into a cooler place. Getting the pet into a shady area with a fan running on him or just bring him indoors. Rinse your dog with cool, not cold, tap water over his legs and body to help effectively lower the body temperature. Rubbing alcohol placed on the skin of the stomach, will help cool him also. Do not use ice or extremely cold water.  Although it seems logical, extreme cold will cause surface blood vessels to contract, forming an insulating area that traps heat in the body, delaying the cooling of the vital organs. At the veterinary hospital, fluids are administered intravenously to help cool the core temperature and keep the kidneys from shutting down.
coolbandana Keep Your Pet Cool This Summer Keep Your Pet Cool This Summer
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Attempting to force your pet to drink is also not recommended. If you suspect your dog is suffering from heat stroke, immediately load your pet carefully into a car and go to the veterinarian. Under no circumstances should you leave your pet alone in the vehicle.

Without these life saving steps, many dogs might lose their lives to the “dog-days” of summer. But, as Snickers will testify, quick thinking owners and veterinary professionals can help get them back on their feet in no time.

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Heat Stroke – Don’t Leave your Dog in your Car!

July 5, 2008 By 2 Comments

Summer is upon us and I have already had my first case of heat stroke. Rusty was left in his owner’s car by accident this morning. Dogs cannot sweat like people do. They can only regulate their body heat by panting. The temperature of a car can quickly reach 10 to 20 degrees hotter than the outside air temperature. This results in hyperthermia or heat stroke. Rusty was rushed to the clinic and his internal temperature was 107 degrees. Death and internal organ failure is imminent when the internal temperature reaches 109 degrees. We acted quickly with cool water baths and ice packs. An intravenous catheter was started to flush more fluids into Rusty. Rusty is feeling much better right now, but we will not know for a while if he has any permanent damage to his kidneys, or other organs.
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Here are some other warm weather tips you must follow to get your dog through summer safely:

  • Have adequate shade-dogs in direct sunlight can also get sunburned or develop hyperthermia leading to heat stroke.
  • Have adequate cool water available for your dog outside. Water directly in the sun can also heat up to hot for your dog to drink.
  • Do not leave your dog in the car, even if the windows are cracked.
  • Be careful when walking your dog on hot asphalt or concrete. Your dog can burn the bottom of his feet.Sometimes, even the seats of the car or a bed of a truck can get hot enough to burn the pads of your dog’s foot.
  • Limit walking your dog in the heat. Remember, they cannot sweat and even a little exertion can increase their body temperature to a dangerous level.
  • Do not apply insect repellent or sunscreen to your pet that is not labeled for use in animals. Pets may lick the products that can cause drooling, diarrhea or other toxic or neurological problems.
  • Give your dog heartworm preventative and de-worm regularly for internal parasites. Mosquitoes carry the heartworms and dogs can pick up hookworms through the pads of their feet.
  • Use flea control on a regular basis. The house is a perfect laboratory for incubating fleas in the summer. One flea can turn into thousands quickly and they can lay dormant in your carpet for years waiting for the perfect opportunity to hatch out and feed on the first warm-blooded creature that comes in their path. Lucky for us humans, they prefer the warmer body temperature of our pets than us.
  • In areas that have problems with all the above parasites, I recommend using the Advantage-Multi or Revolution on a monthly basis to control the parasites.

Stay alert for signs of overheating in pets, which include excessive panting, drooling, weakness, staggering or even seizures. The can even feel hot to the touch. The brachycephalic breeds (flat noses like Shi Tzus, Lhasa Apso, Pugs, Boxers, Boston Terriers and Bulldogs) are at a much greater risk for heat stroke. Also overweight dogs, or a dog with a thick or matted coat or more prone to developing hyperthermia.

If you suspect your dog has hyperthermia or heat stroke, contact your veterinarian immediately. Safe reduction of your pet’s temperature with cool water and ice packs will help to reduce his temperature. IV fluids are given to help with kidney function and to help with cooling of internal organs. Damage to the heart, kidney and other organs may not show up for weeks. Keep your pet safe this summer.

Debra Garrison, DVM

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