DOG

TRAVEL WITH THE DOG: THE VETERINARY'S ADVICE

Temperatures rise as well as the urge to Sun need sea, but are we ready to bring our 4-legged friend with us? With some advice and some extra attention, ours holidays to 6 legs will be unforgettable also for our animal friends!

Can I take it anywhere?

Fortunately, there have been many for several years facilities and bathrooms who accept dogs and cats, which can therefore accompany us on our holiday adventures, experiencing pleasure and certainly helping us to have more fun and socialize more easily! Before leaving, however, it is important to contact hotels, restaurants or accommodation facilities, to find out if there is the possibility of bringing an animal with you, so as to avoid nasty surprises. If, on the other hand, we want to move outside of Italy, it will be important to speak to the trusted veterinarian for some more precautions on typical pathologies of those areas and necessary documents...

But can I take it right anywhere?

vacation with the dog

Who more than his best friend human can know which situations are suitable or not for him? Although we would like to always carry it with us, we should decide, for its well-being and serenity, when it is appropriate to take it with us and when to leave it quiet at home or in the hotel. For example, many dogs are afraid of overcrowded areas, others just can't stand the heat, and it is therefore important, before organizing a 6-legged trip, to assess their needs, which are certainly different from ours, and different from an individual to all. Otherwise, it will be useful to assess their weaknesses to avoid putting their happiness, their health or, in some cases, their life at risk.

Is the sun dangerous for animals?

Dogs do not sweat, in fact they do not have sweat glands scattered throughout the body, and therefore they do not have the possibility to reduce their body temperature in this way. The sweat glands are in fact present only on the plantar pads, but they are not sufficient to allow an efficient dispersion of heat.

The thick by the that lose during the spring is the winter coat that gives way to the summer coat, which allows the formation of a separation layer between the outside world and the skin of the animal, avoiding direct exposure of the skin to the sun and then any dermatitis, burns and body overheating.

The main mechanisms that the dog puts in place for contrast the other temperatures, are open mouth breathing, lying down on cool surfaces, positioning oneself in shady and / or ventilated places.

In the hottest hours and on too humid days, it is therefore good practice avoid places exposed to the sun and in any case always give our animal the possibility to position itself in shady and well ventilated places and why not, wet them a little on the head, neck and legs would not hurt at all!

Some advice for the summer!

  • Don't shear animals unless strictly necessary to avoid direct exposure of the skin to sunlight and consequent dermatitis, dryness, redness
  • Always allow the dog to breathe with your mouth open, avoiding where muzzles are possible
  • Never leave animals in the car even if the latter is parked in the shade, since the machine releases the accumulated heat even when it is stopped, and the temperature inside it rises very quickly
  • Don't force dogs to stay in the sun, but always allow them to lie down in the shade and, if this is not present, equip yourself with umbrellas and tents specially dedicated to them
  • Wet the animal often with fresh water
  • Always have on hand drinking water to do it beer as often as possible
  • To avoid di take it for a walk or let play the animals in the hottest hours of the day
  • Rinse always the dog after the eventual swim in the sea to avoid the irritating action of the salt
  • Lend much more caution to puppies, the elderly and brachycephalic breeds (pug, French bulldog, etc.) who are more prone to seasonal illness
  • Seek advice from your own veterinarian in case of travel with heart disease animals or animals belonging to brachycephalic breeds at risk
  • After a day of fun and sun, apply gods natural products containing aloe or other plants with a soothing and moisturizing action on the skin of animals, especially on areas with less hair such as nose and ears
  • If sun exposure is inevitable, don't forget the sunscreen for him too, better if natural!

Dr. Paola Zintu, veterinarian

Photo: Matteo Campani Mayfire1

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