h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Entry: Summer Advice for Domestic Pet Owners - A11304163
Author: Emmily...of all the things I’ve lost, I miss my mind the most - U190758

I was at the boot sale in Kinross, where six dogs died in parked cars.

I'll add more links later.

As ususal all comments and suggestions welcome.

Emmily

White cats love to sunbathe, as their fur just reflects the sun. But they often have very thin fur on their ears, so you should examine their ears carefully in the summer. If there is any traces of sunburn, make sure to put suncream on your cat's ears. Many white cats get skin cancer on their ears and in extreme cases need their ears surgically removed, which is a very sorry sight.

Gnomon, I have mentioned the possible problems with white cats, or cats with white faces, I'll add a bit more. I used to have a white cat, (my dream cat) she died suddenly at just 4 years old. I was lucky, she had no problems with sunburn. I've mentioned sun-block cream from vets, I sort of guessed that and assume human suncream cannot be used on animals, maybe I ought to check that out, and include it.

Emmily

My post was prompted by the fact that my own white cat had to have his ears removed (many years ago), and my brother saw a white earless cat just two days ago.

Oh, then maybe skin cancer on white cats ears is not that rare.

I know someone who runs a cat rescue centre, and has done for years. If she has her stall out on the local market on Saturday I'll ask her.


Emmily

What is an "indoor boot sale"?

Like a normal boot sale, but inside. It was massive, with both trade and private stalls/tables selling stuff in 3 joined halls, maybe it was a warehouse or something similar. It was advertised by the organisers as an indoor boot sale.

I'll link boot sale to A174377 and hope someone updates it in the near furture, it needs it.

Emmily

Nice entry

I was a bit confused by the bit about cats hurting themselves when jumping though - isn't that just general advice? Why is is relevant to summer?

Why 'six dogs, including two Alsatians'? Why name the species of two of the dogs but not all of them? Is there something special about Alsatians?

Kelli & Cyzaki

Open windows are more of a hazard during the summer as people tend to have them open more often, I have added a bit to explain this.

The news article I read in the Sunday Post, over 20 years ago, mentioned all the breeds of the six dogs, but I can only remember two Alsatians. Also some people may think small dogs are fragile and more susceptible this type of thing. I added a bit more to that, hope it reads better now.

(Just remembered, I'm suppose to be seeing if the 'cat lady' has her stall out today. )

Emmily

Really useful entry Emmily!

I think you should mention how dogs cool themselves, which is why it is so important to leave fresh water available - ie that they only have sweat glands in their feet but that this isn't enough, so they need to pant to lower their internal temp, so they have to make sure they've got enough saliva to wet their tongues. I wouldn't assume everyone (even dog owners) know this. They need to constantly 'refresh' their mouths with new water.

"One of the potentially most life-threatening things you can do to your dog on a hot summers day,"

I think that should be changed - even a warm spring day it can be too hot for dogs (or any animals) in cars if it's sunny (and even if it's not sometimes).

It seems odd to single out that one event in the 1980s when dogs are still dying at the current time, is it because so many died in the same place? Singling out an old event might make people think it's not relevant anymore. http://www.local6.com/news/9171963/detail.html Dogs are even dying this month... That wasn't in the UK, but your entry doesn't stipulate you are only talking about the UK. There are also some incidents here, but they don't all involve cars, and this newsletter is three years old. But it shows that dogs still die. http://www.rspca-wsm.co.uk/RSPCA%20Newsletter.htm

The RSPCA disagree that you can leave a dog with the windows open and water in the shade, sorry, so I think that section should be removed. I've found a copy of their press release stating this here - http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/jezturner/dogsincars/features.html

Dogs could be tied up outside the car if it's hot, but then they are at risk of theft (or being run over if it's in a car park). It's better to keep the dog with you, and if it's not possible then the shopping trip etc should be put off until the dog can be got home.

If you do leave the comment about Alsations in, can you change it to 'German Shepherds' as that's the correct breed name.

"Ideally the hutch should be in the shade, if this is not possible the water bottle will need to be shaded to keep the water cool."

Hutches should be shaded, or the rabbit should be removed from the hutch. When I had rabbits I used to move the hutches from the top of the garden to the bottom in the summer months, because even if I shaded them they'd get too hot. So can you suggest that the hutch is moved? I realise we can't 'demand' the hutch is moved, but rather than say 'if it's not possible' can you emphasise trying everything possible to shade it, even giving suggestions? Also you can buy 'thermal' covers for the bottles which keep them cooler. I used to keep a spare bottle indoors, and swap them over, even with the shade thing on.

Another tip is to freeze a bottle of water and lay it in the run during the day. This creates a cool area in the run and the rabbit may well lie against it if they get too hot.

Fabulous entry, really glad to see it in Peer Review!

Sorry, on the link - http://www.rspca-wsm.co.uk/RSPCA%20Newsletter.htm you have to scroll or search for 'Don’t Risk Cooking Your Dog To Death, Warns RSPCA'.

excellent advice

Oh yes, one think I think should be added is to not walk your dogs in the heat of the sun! They should be walked at dawn/dusk (or as close to dawn as you can get!) or not at all. Dogs aren't very good at knowing what's bad for them, as the urge to run and hunt will take over even if we're so stupid as to take them out at midday in a heat wave. Let them lie on their sides enjoying the warmth, and take them out when it's cooler.

Excellent entry! Our 9 month kitten has already tried getting out an open upstairs window. She clearly thinks she has more chance of getting a bird that way than out in the garden.

I think you need to put a link to the edited entry on fleas. A1112211 which, as it says are an all year problem:
"However, be aware that as weather gets warmer, flea activity does naturally increase, and you can never really get rid of every single insect, especially if you have an animal who ventures outdoors."

coelacanth & Mina (hope you don't mind me calling you Mina) some great points to add.

The way I read the RSPCA article, they're saying "Leaving windows open or putting a bowl of water does not help" when the car is unshaded does not help. And mention (same as I have) "Even if you park your car in the shade, the position of the sun will change."

I'll alter that paragraph to make it clearer.

>"It seems odd to single out that one event in the 1980s when dogs are still dying at the current time.

Because this is one I know of, and there were six dogs that died and numerous others were rescued by police breaking into cars. I'll use your link Mina, and maybe see if I can find another one.

Skin cancer in white cats is more common than I had thought, I'll be adding more on that.

Emmily

I've dealt with all your points Mina. I left in the bit about parking car in the shade, but added more to it. I'd rather suggest a minimal risk way, than just say never do it.

I'll add the link to flea entry when I make changes to the cat section.

Emmily

It's looking great. Eden (that biosphere place in Cornwall) provides 'dog parking', which is sort of like a shed without a front so that there is shade for the dogs. If you're on a camping holiday it's not always possible to leave the dogs 'at home' because if you're in a motorhome you're taking it with you. I wouldn't have been able to visit without that, I wish more places did it! They even had a tap and water bowl there.

I'm not sure I'd say put the rabbit's water in the fridge, I think it would be too cold, especially if they were very hot and gulped it. Keep it in a cool place perhaps?

Added more and made some changes.

The bit about the six dogs that died in Kinross, does that read as the car park being indoors? The boot sale was indoors, the car park was not, do I need to make that clear?

Emmily

What about fish? Should you keep goldfish out of the window in summer? Can they overheat?