SPLASH - Paws Aboard Newsletter - June 2005 - News for Active Boaters and Their Pets

Heatstroke can affect both you and your pets, so be careful when playing or exercising this summer. Humans perspire as a way of cooling the body, but dogs and cats don't have sweat glands, so your pets must pant as a way of keeping cool and preventing overheating.

Panting causes water evaporation, which expels heat from the animal's body, but panting is only a short-term mechanism and its effectiveness is decreased as the humidity of the ambient air increase.

A pet that cannot sustain panting long enough to dissipate internal heat will begin to overheat. A rise in a dog's or cat's body temperature of even just two or three or degrees above normal (between 100 and 102 degrees Fahrenheit) can force its organs to work overtime, which will cause even more overheating instead of the desired cooling effect.

1. Remember that locked cars quickly turn into an oven when the air conditioner is off and the windows are closed. Never leave your dog (or children) in a locked car, even for just a minute a two, as the temperature in a sealed car can rise 30 degrees in a minute.
2. Limit your pet's direct exposure to the sun regardless of the color of its coat. Dark-haired dogs retain heat and light-haired dogs are susceptible to sunburn, just like fair-skinned people.
3. When you and your pet are in the sun, apply sunscreen on your pet just as you would on a child. be sure to cover all of your pet's exposed areas, such as the ears, nose and belly.
4. Familiarize yourself with the subtle symptoms of heatstroke in your dog or cat so you don't ignore them if they occur: excessive panting, cherry-red gums or tongue, drooling, and skin or nose rashes.

If you believe your pet is experiencing heatstroke:

1. Contact your veterinarian immediately.
2. Use a hose or shower to slowly cool down the animal. Use cool water, not cold water.
3. Provide just a little water for your pet to wet its mouth. Gulping water is not good.
4. Transport your pet - uncovered – to an emergency animal clinic on the car seat, not in a crate. Quickly make the car as cold as possible.

Always be careful to avoid overexposure to the sun during summertime outdoor activity, and remember to pay close attention to the subtle signs of pet heatstroke.

We are now featuring four special bandanas that will help your dog celebrate Old Glory and the 4th of July Independence Day holiday in patriotic style.

Click to view our special patriotic and stylish July 4th holiday dog bandanas.

Your pet deserves to be a star just as much as anyone, so we have created a new Pet portrait Gallery on our web site.

Now your dog or cat (or horse or guinea pig or whatever) can take his or her rightful place on the World Wide Web by submitting your best pet portraits to us.

The new Paws Aboard Pet Portrait Gallery is an equal opportunity gallery, so we don't discriminate against pets regardless of breed or color.

Click to visit the new Paws Aboard Pet Portrait Gallery.

The new Paws Aboard Dog Life Jacket has all of the safety and comfort features found in the best products currently available, but we also add Safety Reflective Strips for increased visibility in low-light situations, and our Mesh Underbelly allows for quick draining and drying, which provides a healthier and more comfortable fit for your pet while onboard your boat.

Click for more info about the Paws Aboard Dog Life Jacket.