Tips to Keep Your Short-Nosed Friend Cooler This Summer

We all know that summer can be a dangerous time for dogs. As they are susceptible to heatstress and suffer very easily. There is a breed of dog that is even more at risk than others- the Brachycephalic dog breeds, these breeds need more precautions than normal when it comes to the dangers of heat.

Brachycephalic - "Brachy" means short and "Cephalic" means head, so together Brachycephalic means "short-head". This is the medical term for animals bred to have a short, pushed-in face. Think Pugs, Bulldogs and Persians. Along with their characteristic squishy "cuteness" come some serious breathing difficulties, and complications of extra skin rolls. 

The trouble with a 'pushed in face' is that all the airway and eating apparatus must now fit into a smaller area. This means narrowed nostrils, overcrowded teeth with jaws that don't align, a soft palate that dangles into the windpipe and often a narrowed windpipe also. All of this makes breathing difficult, especially in the warmer months. 

In most cases there are extra rolls of skin over the nose, below the eyes and around the tail which can harbour skin infections and rub against the eyes.

Medical Treatment Options:

• Keep Cool: these pets should be kept cool in hot weather by keeping indoors and/or providing wet towels to lie on and avoiding exercise when it's hot. The extra panting and requirement for oxygen that hot weather brings on can cause these animals to overheat and can often be fatal. The heat will also often worsen skin fold infections. Obesity will only make overheating more likely.

• Keep Plenty of Water on hand – Another way for dogs to cool down is with water. Always have water on hand, even on a walk. Bring a fold up bowl and water bottle if need be. Your dogs need exercise, but they should always be well hydrated when doing so. It would also be great to have a nice pool or bath of water on hand for a quick cool down after exercise.

• Keep Slim: obesity usually goes hand-in-hand with lack of fitness and this means heavier breathing under any circumstances. Obesity can also cause compression of internal structures, further narrowing airways. It will make skin folds deeper and harder to clean. If you are not sure whether your pet is overweight, or what to do about it, please visit the vet.

• Keep clean: skin folds can be kept clean and dry and smell-free with daily medicated wipes - Epi-otic ear and skin cleanser is a good option for wiping these areas.