Somewhat Stupid Question

Messykat · 04-01-2008, 05:40 PM

Howdy! Riley is a 9 month old maltese puppy I've had for 2 months. I'm a first time dog owner.

He's healthy and has been to the vet twice since I got him (and also about 15 phone calls to vet...lol).

We are embarking on our first TX summer. I noticed when it was really hot the other day Riley got winded on his walk and started panting. The next few days were really hot and I let my condo get very warm. He panted a lot during this time, drank a ton of water, peed a whole bunch and of course the water loosened his bowels.

I almost got worried about this until I realized today is much cooler and all of the above have disappeared completely. So it's clearly heat related. And obviously it's going to get a lot worse over the next few months.

My question is: Is there anything i can do to minimize problems without keeping my AC on all summer? I really do not want him drinking that much water, but of course if he's panting I have to let him have it. But then I get the looser stool and tons more pee.

I just thought I'd check to see if someone has experience with this. Thanks!

jesirose · 04-01-2008, 06:31 PM

I dunno about keeping him cool but I was told pumpkin from a can helps with loose poops. I've been trying it with Sadie, 1 tablespoon each meal, and I can't tell if it's working yet or not. :/ Worth a try though right.

I'm a first-time dog owner too and I know how you feel! We live in Texas too and some days when we go outside poor Sadie just looks so hot even in the shade. But I don't know how you could live in Texas in the summer and not use the AC. It's just too hot and uncomfortable for humans let alone doggies.
(PS: We just got a new trane ac system and our bill went from $500 to $100. It was definately worth upgrading in the long run. Adds a ton of value to the house and you can run the AC without worrying. We got the best possible one and it pays for itself in under 3 years in our house.)

TeddieXRuxpin · 04-01-2008, 06:53 PM

I've lived in Texas my whole life and have to agree about the AC use.

If you can't keep the AC running then I'd have a portable fan (not just a ceiling fan) set up so he can lay infront or around moving air. When it gets really hot you can't have it both ways..Either more water (more pee) or AC. I don't really see a way around that one.

For such a little dog they can get over heated pretty fast.

BTW welcome to DF.

poodleholic · 04-02-2008, 02:52 AM

Can't imagine living without the AC! I live in FL, and during summer months, my dogs don't even like going outside! They do their business and are back in and lounging on the sofa in the bat of an eye! LOL

loratliff · 04-02-2008, 09:46 AM

You have no choice but to run the A/C during the summer if your dog is sensitive to it. I live in Texas too and my condo has a whole wall of windows that faces the west - you can imagine what that bill is like!

As for the dogs, I limit outside time in the summer (not like they really want to spend a ton of time out there anyway!) and try and get him to the groomer a lot more often. I don't know if Maltese are considered brachiocephalic dogs, but that's another big factor pertaining to a dog's heat tolerance.

Chicster · 04-02-2008, 10:17 AM

I would suggest giving him some sort of cooling pad to lay on during the summer instead of a doggie bed. You can buy a stone tile at the home store and keep it in your freezer, then put a towel over it and give it to him to lay on. They do this with chinchillas... but I imagine it would work well for a dog too!

jesirose · 04-02-2008, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chicster

I would suggest giving him some sort of cooling pad to lay on during the summer instead of a doggie bed. You can buy a stone tile at the home store and keep it in your freezer, then put a towel over it and give it to him to lay on. They do this with chinchillas... but I imagine it would work well for a dog too!

That is a great idea, Sadie loves to lay on our tile floors after a walk so I bet this would be a big hit! Maybe a few of them would make a nice resting area

Poly · 04-02-2008, 11:16 AM

This is general advice pertaining to hot weather, since I don't have any firsthand experience with this breed.

You should never withhold water at all from your dog - especially in hot weather - except in one circumstance. She should have free access to clean water at all times unless she is being housetrained. Only if you are still housetraining her, you can remove her water dish for a few hours before bedtime - not at any other times.

Yes you do have to be careful not to let her become overheated on her walk. Walk her in the cool part of the day - preferably early morning.

In fact, in very hot weather, consider not taking her for an exercise walk at all. I don't think this breed requires a lot of exercise in any case - so if you have a fenced in yard, just let her play there at her own pace for a while. Even then, be very watchful and don't push her. It's your responsibility - not hers - to stop the activity if she seems to be uncomfortable,

Dogs may push themselves too hard in hot weather. Dogs do not sweat and they don't have the different stages of reaction to heat like humans do - hyperthermia comes on relatively quickly.

Chicster · 04-03-2008, 12:23 PM

I just found this online too... somewhat similar to my tile idea. A little more expensive but it says it retains the cold temp for days at a time, where the tile I think you'd have to re-chill quite often.

http://www.sassypup.net/Hawaiian-Sun...e-p-16444.html

JackiesZoo · 04-03-2008, 01:47 PM

This is COOL chicster! Nice find!