Dogged by summer's sizzle
January 30th 2009 05:23
It's hot. Outside right now it is 43 degrees (that's 109 for all you Fahrenheit speakers), and this is the third straight day of extreme heat. Two days ago it was 44.2. Where my mother lives, it was 45.7.
The dogs aren't happy. The living room, with their sofas, has floor to ceiling windows and, although the blinds have been down since early morning, it is too hot out there. They sleep in the hallway for a while, but the thin rug over polished floorboards is not ideal for a greyhound. Hip and shoulder bones too close to the surface for comfort.
So they wake and plod into the study, all drooping shoulders and lolling tongues and long faces. They look at me and say, "It's hot," and then wander off again to see if they can find a cool corner in a heavily carpeted bedroom.
A bit later they are back, this time only pausing at the study door long enough to whisper, "It's still hot," before trying the passage again.
There is a common belief that dogs can't sweat. In fact they can - they have sweat glands on the pads of their feet. But their most efficient way of cooling themselves is panting, which kicks in when the sweat glands can't handle the load.
The tongue provides a lot of surface area to cool through evaporation. Panting cools the tongue and mouth, and sends cool air to the major blood vessels of the head. That in turn keeps the brain from overheating, and cools the blood as it sets off on its journey around the body.
Normal body temperature for dogs is 38 to 39 degrees (101-102F). As soon as the temperature gets above that, dogs are at risk of heat stroke. Just one or two degrees above body temperature, and dog owners should be monitoring their animals carefully. At 42 degrees, dogs can suffer from major organ damage and death if not taken immediately to a vet.
Indications of heatstroke are accelerated or abnormal breathing and heart rate, a dry mouth and nose, drooling, seizures and pale or extremely dark gums.
Okay, I'm off to check the dogs' water. Then I'm taking a cold bath.
www.wisegeek.com
| 47 |
| Vote |
Add To: 
subscribe to this blog
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Comment by Chris Champion
LettersToNorm
Vyoos
Zoomies
Bloggercises
The Blog of Lists
Something funny has happened. When I started writing the post, it was 42 degrees (in the shade) on my back porch. I was slightly miffed because this was a little below the temperatures of the previous two days, so half-way through writing the post I checked again, and it had risen to 43. That's better!
Immediately after posting the piece, I really did go outside to check the dogs' water - and the temperature was 33 degrees.
A dramatic cool change has swept in. It's now only 33: blissfully, ecstatically, coolishly warm
The dogs are happy again.
Comment by Queenie
Quirky Folk
Quirky Queenie
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Gosh, that was a massive temp drop. Must've been quite a relief.
I'll try and get a pic of my little chap in the shower
Tracy
Comment by Chris Champion
LettersToNorm
Vyoos
Zoomies
Bloggercises
The Blog of Lists
Comment by bronwyna
my mum, who lives in northern SA and has 2 greys suggests keeping some towels slightly damp for them to lie on when it gets really hot. Also chuck some iceblocks in their water.
Comment by Chris Champion
LettersToNorm
Vyoos
Zoomies
Bloggercises
The Blog of Lists
They are great suggestions. I will definitely try them next time. Many thanks!