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CONTACT Nancy Hook 10829 Old Raleigh Wilson Rd. Middlesex, NC 27557 252-235-2545 
E-mail
Copyright 2002-2024 Hook's K9 Training Nancy R. Hook All Rights Reserved |
| Summer Care |
The Camp Hook pools are open--
let the games begin!
This is North Carolina--we jump from winter right into summer!
The pool is more than a diversion--in hot weather it is a necessity. Dogs don't sweat like we do, so they can more easily overheat.
Above all, make sure your dog stays hydrated! He should have access to fresh water at all times.
As CamelBak
exhorts:
"Hydrate or Die!"
Watch your dog for signs of heat stroke:
- Rapid, heavy panting
- Excessive drooling
- Vomiting
- Impaired coordination
- Confused or panicked look
- Loss of consciousness
Heatstroke can cause brain damage and death.
Crucial to your dog's summer survival:
- Water: Must be changed frequently to stay clean and cool. I snap my buckets to the fence to prevent turnovers.
- Shade: Trees, shadecloth, raised roof. No tarps draped over kennels--they trap heat, hold hot pools of water, and will roast your dog!
- Ventilation: Lack of ventilation causes the temperature to rise to dangerous and deadly levels--another reason to avoid tarps!
- Vehicles: The safest thing you can do is leave your dog at home. Leaving your dog in a vehicle in the summer is the same as leaving him in the oven. Just not a great idea.
Life is good at Camp Hook!
Insect stings and bites are common hazards of warm weather.
Spiders, ants, ticks, mosquitoes, fleas...good grief, your dog is a bug buffet!
There are so many effective flea and tick deterrants out there there is no reason for your dog to suffer.
Dogs love to investigate the tantalizing buzz of bees and yellowjackets!
If the bite or sting is causing swelling and pain, apply ice to relieve the discomfort. Give your dog a single antihistimine like Benedryl to relieve the allergic reaction, and call your vet.
The most serious response to any insect bite is difficulty breathing, caused by the allergic reaction and swelling of the site--especially if the dog was bitten in the mouth or on the face.
Get your dog to the vet!
Attention:
It looks like fleas have become resistant to Frontline! My vets no longer sell it. They said Advantix is starting to receive complaints as well. They recommend Vector 3D, Trifexis, or Comfortis, which are expensive, but effective. Seems the bugs always develop resistance over time to anything we come up with to kill them. Can't blame the little buggers, but we need to adapt as well.
Another cause of discomfort and injury that's frequently overlooked are the surfaces we ask our dog to walk on. We have shoes on, our dog doesn't. Hot asphalt, sand and other hot surfaces can burn his pads. Check with your hand to see how much heat has been retained by the surface before you ask him to walk or stand on it. Some dogs are so stoic they won't react until they are really injured.
In very hot weather, restrict dogs' activity during the main heat of the day. When they are playing, make sure there is plenty of shade, and, of course, fresh water available. Some dogs have more energy than common sense. Limit their activity for them if they don't!
Pool tug!