Veterinary clinics were busy treating hunting dogs that overheated on the
opening weekend of the state's pheasant season.
Heatstroke was common in the 80-degree weather and some dogs died.
“ You can't tell them to slow down and take it easy. They go full blast all
the time. ”
"You can't tell them to slow down and take it easy. They go full blast all
the time,"
Hunters need to be conscious any time the temperature gets up above 70, or
even if it's sunny and in the 60s,"
Working in deep cover may also increase the risk a dog will overheat.
Advises hunters to wet down the dogs before they start hunting in warm
weather, and give them frequent water breaks.
Symptoms of heatstroke include heavy panting and stumbling. Seizures,
vomiting, diarrhea and bleeding are common severe symptoms.
If the dog has an attack, veterinarians advise soaking its coat in cool
water and getting immediate veterinary attention. But very cold water can be
harmful - one dog died during the weekend after being tossed in a lake,
We all know what guide dogs for the blind do and how hearing dogs help
people who have a hearing impairment, but did you know there’s such a thing
as an assistance dog?
Assistance Dogs Australia is a not for profit organisation that trains
Labrador and Golden Retriever pups to help people with disabilities such as
spinal injuries or cerebral palsy. The dogs learn how to do some very useful
things like press traffic light buttons, retrieve dropped items like phones,
carry wallets and open fridge doors.
Some breeds of dogs, such as Labrador Retrievers, Cairn
Terriers, Cocker Spaniels, Long-haired Dachshunds, Shetland Sheepdogs,
Basset Hounds and Beagles and mixed-breed cats have a greater tendency to
gain weight and become obese.
