Nikki (top), Zoey and Buddy (above) are all taking a cooling,
wet break in Texas where a pool is greatly appreciated. Pictures submitted by Roger Hupfauer.

Diana's "Ridley", pictured at three months here, "Hangs Sixteen (Or Twenty?)".   Mesa, AZ - USA

Barron's owner writes:  "Its a hot day in Ohio.   Barron loves his pool.   He will play and just go in to chill.  It is the best thing that my wife has ever bought him. I thought it was a joke!"

Joanna Muelle's "Dylan" enjoying the lovely beach in Michigan, USA.

"Angel In The Garden" has been shared with us by Laila from "Heartnsoul Bulldogs" in Denmark.
To see more wonderful "bully" pictures please visit her site.

Hot Summer Temperatures and High Humidity
Can Overheat Dogs

MANHATTAN -- High humidity and soaring temperatures make for hot dogs.

The old saying that it's not the heat but the humidity that makes summer
days so miserable is particularly apt when it comes to dogs and their
well-being.

According to Dr. William Fortney, assistant professor of clinical sciences
in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University, dogs
become less efficient at cooling themselves as the humidity rises.

"Just like people, dogs are cooled by evaporation. The problem with high
humidity is that it decreases evaporation and slows down the cooling
process," Fortney said. "This time of year we hear a lot about the heat
index, which is a measurement of both the temperature and the humidity
level, and that is what an owner needs to pay close attention to."

There are other factors that hinder canines' ability to cool themselves.
They only have sweat glands on the pads of their feet and on their nose,
which are inadequate for cooling during hot and humid days, Fortney said.

"Panting helps dogs cool themselves but they still aren't as efficient at
cooling themselves as people are," Fortney added. "A dog's heavy coat also
works against the cooling process which makes them that much more prone to
heat exhaustion."

Fortney said there are several stages a dog suffering from heat exhaustion
goes through. Heavy panting is the first. That soon gives way to huffing
and puffing and the dog will lie down or collapse. If left untreated it
will slip into unconsciousness and die.

The first step pet owners should take if their dog is suffering from heat
exhaustion is to cease all activity, get the animal out of the sun and
give it water, Fortney said.

"The owner can then put the dog in the bath tub or let the garden hose run
for a few seconds and then spray the dog down. Then it can be placed in
front of a fan which will aid in evaporation," Fortney said. "Ice bags can
also be placed around the dog's head and neck."

Fortney also said it is important to start the cooling process as soon as
possible.

"A person's first reaction might be to jump in the car and get the dog to
a veterinarian, but in a case of heat exhaustion this is the wrong thing
to do," Fortney said. "When a dog's temperature has reached 108 or 110
degrees it can only take a couple of minutes before brain damage can
occur. The car ride could take five to 10 minutes, so the owner needs to
cool the dog down before taking it to a veterinarian."

There are several activities that can cause heat exhaustion in dogs, such
as running, being outside for an extended period of time or just sitting
in the sun for too long. However, Fortney said that the main cause for
over-heated dogs is an avoidable situation that is all too common.

"A lot of the heat exhaustion cases we see are a result of dogs being left
in a car," Fortney said. "A person can't crack the windows enough to cool
down the dog without letting it out of the car. This is the worst case
scenario and it only takes a few minutes before it becomes a matter of
life and death."

****

Because of the way dogs cool themselves, they are more susceptible to heat
exhaustion than humans. Below are some steps for the identification and
treatment of heat exhaustion.

Symptoms of heat exhaustion:

* Heavy panting
* Dog begins huffing and puffing or gasping for air
* Dog begins to weave when it walks because of dizziness
* Dog lays down or collapses and can't get up
* Dog becomes unconscious

Depending on the seriousness of the situation, these are the steps an
owner should take if your dog is suffering from heat exhaustion:

1. Move the dog out of the sun and into the shade or into an
air-conditioned building.
2. Give the dog water to drink.
3. Rinse the dog off either in the bath tub or with a garden hose.
4. Place the dog in front of a fan while it is still damp.
5. Place ice bags around the dog's head and neck.
6. Take the dog to the veterinarian only after the dog has been cooled
down.

Prepared by Jason Nicol. For more information contact Dr. William Fortney
at 785-532-4135.

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