Bartlesville veterinarian urges extra care for pets during extreme heat

We've all heard the idiom "Dog Days of Summer" and here we are ending an Oklahoma August with temperatures in the 100-degree range, with heat indexes topping 110 to 120 degrees.

In addition to managing our own summertime sultry hot and humid lives, we owe comfort to our furry companions who rely on us to keep them safe and healthy.

Believe it or not, heat stroke is an all too common emergency for dogs, according to Dr. Merrijane Becker, associate veterinarian at Bartlesville Animal Hospital. She said she's seen many cases in the last couple of months.

"Signs of heat stroke in a dog can include weakness, confusion, bloody diarrhea and even seeing your dog collapse," said Becker. "You should get your pet in front of an air conditioner or fan immediately and provide clean fresh water."

While it might be tempting to put ice on your dog, don't! According to Becker, this can cause blood vessels to constrict and can lead to heart failure, shock or even death. If you're concerned about your pet's safety, immediately contact your veterinarian.

You see, dogs aren't able to sweat so their body temperatures can rise quickly. The only way dogs can lower their temperature is by panting, but unfortunately, the high humidity interferes with their natural cooling mechanisms.

For elderly dogs and those who mainly live indoors, it's a good idea to limit their time outside during these sultry, high temperatures. During the day, give them a 5-minute bathroom break as needed.  And walking your dog at dawn before the humidity sets in is the best option, or even late at night.

Don't forget that asphalt or cement can be hot to your dog's paws, just as it would be to your bare feet. According to Dr. Becker, even though a dog's paw is thick, the skin between the pads is thin.

"If it is uncomfortable for us to walk on a hot sidewalk, it's also uncomfortable for our pets," said Becker. "Walk your pet in the grass, if possible."

Outside dogs should always have plenty of fresh water, as well as shelter or shade from the sunlight. You might consider putting in a small baby pool with shallow water in a shaded area, and changing the water daily is vital.

And let's not forget those pesky fleas, ticks and mosquitoes that have our best friends scratching all day, keeping both dogs and humans from getting any rest especially if your dog shares your bed. It's important that your dog is protected from these pests that can cause a range of health problems including heartworm and tick diseases, tapeworms and skin diseases, according to Becker.

She suggests that all dogs be vaccinated yearly and treated with probiotic medications suggested by your veterinarian. Over-the-counter medications and flea and tick collars are available, but may not be as effective as veterinarians are seeing some resistance in animals to the products.

And Becker definitely knows how to treat a canine like royalty. She has been a veterinarian for 27 years and her forte is dealing with senior and elderly pets. One of her elderly dogs, "Addie" is a happy 20-year-old Chihuahua with mobility issues.

"I just love keeping them healthy and comfortable in their last years," she said.

For the majority of dogs, mobility isn't an issue and they need daily exercise to keep healthy. But while walking your dog in Bartlesville, remember that a dog can not be off-leash inside the city limits.

Residents could face a fine from $100 to $249 for not having their dogs on a leash when in public, including City-owned parks and Pathfinder Parkway Trails, according to Bartlesville Chief Communications Officer Kelli Williams.

"All dogs should be properly licensed with the City and have proof of vaccinations," said Williams. For more information on licensing your dog, you can visit the City's website www.cityofbartlesville.org.

Williams said if you encounter problems with an off-leash dog, the best thing to do is call the police department, 918-338-4001, right away so an animal control or police officer can identify violators and enforce the city's ordinances. The only exception to an off-leash dog is at Cooper Dog Park, which is located at Lee Lake Complex on Adams Boulevard east of Silverlake Road.

You might consider checking out the dog park, as it is a great place for you and your dogs to socialize with area residents, both of the human and furry kind.

The park is open from dawn until 11 p.m. and is equipped with solar lights. There are two areas for canines, one designated for large breed dogs and other for small breeds. Large dogs must be over 30 lbs. and small breeds must be under 30 lbs. and remain in their designated areas. Bark Park Buddies, comprised of dog-loving residents, maintains the dog park.

"People are bringing their dogs in the early morning or late evening hours, due to the hot weather," said Bark Park Buddies President Bill Buckles. "We have water available and two shade structures with benches to help with comfort." Dogs can be off-leash in the park, but must be on-leash before going into the park. And in consideration of others, there are waste bags provided at the entry gates so there can be no embarrassing missteps.

"Dog owners are required to pick up after their dogs and food or treats are strictly prohibited," said Buckles, who wants the park to remain as safe as possible. "Dogs can become aggressive over food."

Kelly Grayum often brings his soft-coated Wheaten Terrier "Willie Nelson" to the Cooper Dog Park."Because of the hot weather, I've been bringing Willie to the park near dark," said Grayum as "Willie Nelson" inspected this reporter, finding her to be to his liking.

The Cooper Dog Park was built in 2012 on a three-and-one-half-acre site near Lee Lake. Because of economic shortfalls at the time the city was unable to construct the park, but the Bark Park Buddies group came to the rescue. Volunteers built the park and still maintain the grounds to this day.

The park regularly holds fundraisers, including one coming up in October. You can get more information from their website at www.barkparkbuddies.com.

So, as the "Dog Days of Summer" continues well into September please keep in mind that if you are uncomfortable in the heat, then so is your dog.

By the way, the idiom isn't actually about our furry friends but is scientifically defined as the hottest days of the year or the last months of summer here in the Northern Hemisphere.

But as the Bark Park Buddies say, "It's all for the dogs".

This article originally appeared on Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise: Veterinarian: Protect dogs, cats from extreme heat