Health

Dog surgery is a stressful time for the entire family. It’s not just worrying about the operation itself, it’s also what happens once your dog has undergone the procedure. Trying to make them as comfortable as possible as they’re recovering can be a bit daunting. From the anaesthetic effects to keeping your dog’s bandages dry and in place, here is what you can do to help your dog through a speedy recovery. Most common dog surgeries Before learning how to ensure your pet is comfortable post-surgery, it’s important to know about the most common dog operations. Surgeries generally fall into two categories, elective (non-urgent operations) and urgent. Common elective dog surgeries: • Spay/neuter. • Dental extractions. • Benign growth removal. Common urgent dog surgeries:

Dog exercises help your dog control their weight and reach their ideal body condition, build energy, and maintain a strong cardiovascular and immune system. And if you join in, you’ll get all those health benefits too! Although for many of us “exercise” and “fun” don’t always go together in the same sentence, for our dog friends, a workout always brings out their happy tail-wagging side. But dog exercise isn’t just for staving off your pet’s boredom. Walking your dog daily is also key to keeping them in shape and healthy, both physically and mentally. Luckily there are lots of fun and easy ways to get the “dog workout” task ticked off every day, but before we get to these top dog exercise ideas, here is what makes an active dog, a happy dog. The benefits of dog exercise Keeping your dog active and well-exercised does more than keeping your pet in shape. Dog exercise has many benefits: • Staves off obesity by burning out excess calories. • Keeps them well behaved as they don’t have to look out for creative ways to keep themselves entertained such as chewing furniture or barking up a storm.

Your dog loves spending the summer with you – there’s so much opportunity to go outside, explore and play. However, should the weather be particularly warm, it’s sensible to consider heat stroke in dogs and the effect the sun might have on your friend. Heat stroke in dogs can occur if they are without shade, ventilation or water, and as with humans, it can be dangerous for their health. It can also occur when they’re out and about with you, for example after vigorous exercise in warm weather, or following stress or overexcitement. What is heat stroke in dogs? Heat stroke or heat exhaustion in dogs refers to a high body temperature that is not caused by underlying illnesses but rather by excessive exposure to environmental factors, mainly hot temperatures. Heat stroke occurs because the dog’s body is unable to bring the temperature down to normal levels through panting alone. Factors that increase heat stroke in dogs Of course you want to avoid any risk of heat stroke, but what should you look out for to keep your dog healthy and happy during the summer months? Factors that can increase the risk of developing heat stroke in dogs include: • Lack of water. • Enclosed space. • Excessive humidity. • Obesity. • Intense exercise. • Old age. • Cardiovascular disease or respiratory disease. • Lack of acclimatisation. What dog breeds have a higher risk of developing heat stroke? Short-faced dog breeds, such as Boxers, Bulldogs, Pugs and Pekingese, and dogs with heavy coats (such as Huskies or Newfoundlands), are at particular risk of heat stroke. But all types of dogs can suffer from heat exhaustion if the conditions are right. Signs of heat stroke in dogs No matter how carefully you care for your dog, it’s always possible that something unexpected can happen. Here are some signs of heat stroke in dogs to look out for just in case: • Severe panting. • Difficulty breathing (particularly if your dog already has any respiratory problems). • Severe salivating. • Vomiting. • Diarrhoea. • Raised temperature (40.5° C or above). • Blood in his urine. • Nose bleeds (and other bleeding problems). • Ultimately, collapse and coma.