Latest news with #Brachycephalic
Scottish Sun
17-06-2025
- Climate
- Scottish Sun
Dog owners urged to avoid ‘hidden danger' this week as vet reveals breeds most at risk
Scroll down to find out which dog breeds are most susceptible to overheating DOG DAYS Dog owners urged to avoid 'hidden danger' this week as vet reveals breeds most at risk Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) DOG owners are being warned not to take their pets out for walks during key times this week as the UK braces for a summer heatwave. Vets say that while many owners believe a stroll in the fresh air is a good idea, the risks to dogs are much greater than just leaving them in a hot car. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 During heatwaves, the safest place for your pet is indoors in a cool, shaded area with good airflow Credit: Getty Across the UK, with temperatures set to exceed 25°C and possibly reach 30°C in some regions, veterinary experts are urging owners to rethink their walking routines. According to Pet Health Club, which represents over 800 vet practices, the danger isn't just the sun — it's the ground beneath your dog's feet. In places like London, Manchester, Birmingham and parts of the South East, surfaces such as pavements and artificial grass can retain extreme heat long after the sun has started to dip. These hot surfaces can soar to more than 50°C — easily enough to burn sensitive paw pads and trigger overheating in just minutes. Holly McKinley, senior vet at Pet Health Club, explained: 'Many owners assume it's safe to walk their dogs once the sun dips, but pavements often stay dangerously hot well past 5pm, and on some days, the air does too. "That's why we're calling it the hidden 'danger hour'.' While heatstroke in dogs is a well-known risk in parked cars, the latest research suggests that walks during hot spells are an even bigger danger. A staggering 74 per cent of heatstroke cases in dogs are caused by exercise, compared to just 5 per cent from being left in vehicles. 'Dogs don't sweat like we do, and their ability to cool down is limited. So even when it feels bearable to us, it can still be risky for them,' said Holly. How to keep pets safe during a heatwave 'Walking your dog in 25-degree heat is like running a marathon in a fur coat. "It might not seem extreme to humans, but for dogs, especially those with thick coats or flat faces, it can be life-threatening.' She added that breeds with short snouts — known as Brachycephalic breeds, including pugs, bulldogs and boxers — are particularly at risk. Their compromised airways mean they struggle more to breathe and regulate their body temperature during even mild exertion. Dog owners are urged to check pavements before heading out by using the back-of-the-hand test. 'If you can't comfortably hold it there for seven seconds, it's too hot for your dog's paws,' Holly said. 'If in doubt, skip the walk and focus on indoor play or enrichment instead.' Symptoms of heatstroke can come on quickly and include excessive panting, drooling, lethargy, confusion, vomiting and even seizures. If untreated, it can result in collapse or death in a matter of minutes. Dog breeds most susceptible to overheating In general, there are six groups of dogs who struggle most in hot weather... Firstly, those with underlying health problems. Dogs can't sweat like we can, so rely largely on panting to cool down. However, if they have airway or lung impairments, or suffer from fluid balance or hydration issues, then this is more difficult, and their ability to lose heat is reduced, meaning they are at a higher risk of heat-stroke. Overweight animals find it harder to ventilate, and their core temperature rises faster than you'd expect for a lean dog. Very young dogs or very old dogs are also at increased risk of heatstroke, and these owners should be even more cautious in hot weather. Dogs with very thick coats, who are adapted to a colder climate. Dogs such as the Husky or Malamute - and even the Chow Chow - have been bred to keep heat in. However, this comes at the price of being less well able to cope in hot weather. Their thick double coats effectively trap heat, making it the equivalent of us going out in the July heat wearing a fur coat and thermal underwear: they get very hot, very quickly. This problem can be alleviated by clipping (NOT shaving), however, the coat can take a long time to grow back. In a heatwave, though, if you're struggling to keep your dog cool, I'd personally rather have a dog with a thinner coat who's alive than a luxuriously coated dog in the morgue. Short-nosed, or brachycephalic, breeds such as Pugs, Bulldogs, and French Bulldogs. These dogs have been bred to look "cute", with big eyes and flat faces. Unfortunately, the result of this has been a narrowing of the airways and a profusion of soft tissue in the nasal chambers and pharynx - we call this Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome, and it profoundly affects their ability to pant and lose heat. Like a dog with any other respiratory disease, most members of these breeds are highly prone to heatstroke, and as they are often overweight as well, are at very high risk in hot weather Sean McCormack, head vet at said: 'A dog's ability to regulate heat is very different from ours. This makes it essential for pet owners, particularly those new to dog care, to take proactive steps to keep their pets cool, safe, and comfortable.' Even short walks in the midday sun can be dangerous. Vets recommend walking early in the morning — ideally before 8am — or late in the evening, well after sunset, when both the air and surfaces have had time to cool down properly. Eve, a veterinary nurse from the UK, echoed the warning on social media. She said: 'The temperatures are rising and taking your dog on a walk is not worth risking their life. "Do it responsibly – 6am in the morning, 8pm at night when it's nice and cool.' She added: 'This applies to every single dog breed, but especially Brachycephalic breeds. If you can hear your dog breathing heavily on a normal day, that's a sign they're already under respiratory stress. "Add heat to that, and it can become dangerous very quickly.' Eve also warned of symptoms like vomiting and regurgitation, particularly in flat-faced breeds, which can lead to aspiration — where fluid enters the lungs and causes serious complications. During heatwaves, the safest place for your pet is indoors in a cool, shaded area with good airflow. Owners are advised to provide plenty of fresh water, use fans or cooling mats, and avoid overexcitement or vigorous play.
The Irish Sun
17-06-2025
- Climate
- The Irish Sun
Dog owners urged to avoid ‘hidden danger' this week as vet reveals breeds most at risk
DOG owners are being warned not to take their pets out for walks during key times this week as the UK braces for a summer heatwave. Vets say that while many owners believe a stroll in the fresh air is a good idea, the risks to dogs are much greater than just leaving them in a hot car. 2 During heatwaves, the safest place for your pet is indoors in a cool, shaded area with good airflow Credit: Getty Across the UK, with temperatures set to exceed 25°C and possibly reach 30°C in some regions, veterinary experts are urging owners to rethink their walking routines. According to Pet Health Club, which represents over 800 vet practices, the danger isn't just the sun — it's the ground beneath your dog's feet. In places like London, Manchester, Birmingham and parts of the South East, surfaces such as pavements and artificial grass can retain extreme heat long after the sun has started to dip. These hot surfaces can soar to more than 50°C — easily enough to burn sensitive paw pads and trigger overheating in just minutes. Read more on News Holly McKinley, senior vet at Pet Health Club, explained: 'Many owners assume it's safe to walk their dogs once the sun dips, but pavements often stay dangerously hot well past 5pm, and on some days, the air does too. "That's why we're calling it the hidden 'danger hour'.' While heatstroke in dogs is a well-known risk in parked cars, the latest research suggests that walks during hot spells are an even bigger danger. A staggering 74 per cent of heatstroke cases in dogs are caused by exercise, compared to just 5 per cent from being left in vehicles. Most read in The Sun 'Dogs don't sweat like we do, and their ability to cool down is limited. So even when it feels bearable to us, it can still be risky for them,' said Holly. How to keep pets safe during a heatwave 'Walking your dog in 25-degree heat is like running a marathon in a fur coat. "It might not seem extreme to humans, but for dogs, especially those with thick coats or flat faces, it can be life-threatening.' She added that breeds with short snouts — known as Brachycephalic breeds, including pugs, bulldogs and boxers — are particularly at risk. Their compromised airways mean they struggle more to breathe and regulate their body temperature during even mild exertion. 'If you can't comfortably hold it there for seven seconds, it's too hot for your dog's paws,' Holly said. 'If in doubt, skip the walk and focus on indoor play or enrichment instead.' Symptoms of heatstroke can come on quickly and include excessive panting, drooling, lethargy, confusion, vomiting and even seizures. If untreated, it can result in collapse or death in a matter of minutes. Dog breeds most susceptible to overheating In general, there are six groups of dogs who struggle most in hot weather... Firstly, those with underlying health problems. Dogs can't sweat like we can, so rely largely on panting to cool down. However, if they have airway or lung impairments, or suffer from fluid balance or hydration issues, then this is more difficult, and their ability to lose heat is reduced, meaning they are at a higher risk of heat-stroke. Overweight animals find it harder to ventilate, and their core temperature rises faster than you'd expect for a lean dog. Very young dogs or very old dogs are also at increased risk of heatstroke, and these owners should be even more cautious in hot weather. Dogs with very thick coats, who are adapted to a colder climate . Dogs such as the Husky or Malamute - and even the Chow Chow - have been bred to keep heat in. However, this comes at the price of being less well able to cope in hot weather. Their thick double coats effectively trap heat, making it the equivalent of us going out in the July heat wearing a fur coat and thermal underwear: they get very hot, very quickly. This problem can be alleviated by clipping (NOT shaving), however, the coat can take a long time to grow back. In a heatwave, though, if you're struggling to keep your dog cool, I'd personally rather have a dog with a thinner coat who's alive than a luxuriously coated dog in the morgue. Short-nosed, or brachycephalic, breeds such as Pugs, Bulldogs, and French Bulldogs . These dogs have been bred to look "cute", with big eyes and flat faces. Unfortunately, the result of this has been a narrowing of the airways and a profusion of soft tissue in the nasal chambers and pharynx - we call this Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome, and it profoundly affects their ability to pant and lose heat. Like a dog with any other respiratory disease, most members of these breeds are highly prone to heatstroke, and as they are often overweight as well, are at very high risk in hot weather Sean McCormack, head vet at said: 'A dog's ability to regulate heat is very different from ours. This makes it essential for pet owners, particularly those new to dog care, to take proactive steps to keep their pets cool, safe, and comfortable.' Even short walks in the midday sun can be dangerous. Vets recommend walking early in the morning — ideally before 8am — or late in the evening, well after sunset, when both the air and surfaces have had time to cool down properly. Eve, a She said: 'The temperatures are rising and taking your dog on a walk is not worth risking their life. "Do it responsibly – 6am in the morning, 8pm at night when it's nice and cool.' She added: 'This applies to every single dog breed, but especially Brachycephalic breeds. If you can hear your dog breathing heavily on a normal day, that's a sign they're already under respiratory stress. "Add heat to that, and it can become dangerous very quickly.' Eve also warned of symptoms like vomiting and regurgitation, particularly in flat-faced breeds, which can lead to aspiration — where fluid enters the lungs and causes serious complications. During heatwaves, the safest place for your pet is indoors in a cool, shaded area with good airflow. Owners are advised to provide plenty of fresh water, use fans or cooling mats, and avoid overexcitement or vigorous play. 2 Symptoms of heatstroke can come on quickly and include excessive panting, drooling, lethargy, confusion, vomiting and even seizures Credit: GETTY
The Irish Sun
13-05-2025
- Health
- The Irish Sun
‘Heat stroke can be life threatening' – Vets give top tips to keep your pet cool this summer
IRISH vets have issued an urgent warning to pet owners ahead of rising temperatures on the way. Dog owners can look out for key signs to identify if your pet is overheating. 4 Keep your pets safe with these top tips Credit: 4 Brachycephalic breeds are more susceptible to the heat Credit: The Head of Veterinary Services, Dr Sophie Olah, explained: 'Thankfully most people are aware that pets should never be left in cars in hot weather. "Unless it's cool enough to take them out early in the morning, please avoid exercising dogs on hot days. "Instead, keep them indoors, in the shade with access to plenty of cool water. READ MORE ON PETS "If your pet is older, overweight, or flat-faced, take extra care, as it may still be too warm early morning or late evening to take them out without risking heat stroke. "In fact, it doesn't need to be that hot for flat-faced pets to get heat stroke, so keep an extra special eye on them.' For the safest walking experience for your dog, the best times to bring your four-legged pal out are 6am in the morning and 8pm at night when it's a bit cooler. Veterinary Surgeon at The Irish Blue Cross, Dr Ciara Sweeney, warned: 'Heat stroke is extremely dangerous and can be life threatening. Most read in Fabulous "Signs of heat stroke include, restlessness, excessive panting, heavy breathing or difficulty breathing, drooling, change in gum colour from pink to dark red, pale, purple or blue. "Pets may also be drowsy or uncoordinated and may collapse or vomit in severe cases. When Is It Too Hot to Walk Your Dog? Vet's Essential Advice "If you suspect your dog is suffering from heatstroke, move them to a cool place, preferably with a draught and keep them still and calm. "Wet their chest and stomach areas, where they have less hair, with cool water and contact your vet immediately." In a video on TikTok, veterinary nurse Eve told her viewers that even though the sun is shining, taking your dog on a walk isn't worth risking their life. She mentioned that these tips apply to all dog breeds but some can be more susceptible to the Eve said: 'Your Brachycephalic breeds, so your French bulldogs, any kind of bulldog, your pugs, any dog with a short snout - if you can hear your dog breathing on a day to day basis and you think that's just normal - your dog struggles to breathe." A key sign that your pet is suffering from heat stroke is if they are regurgitating their food. E ve continued: 'Also a - so you've got a dog that's unable to calm their panting down and then you add in vomit or regurge into it, so they inhale it, which ends up with fluid on the lungs.' But this heat wave isn't just affecting dogs - other pets are at risk for overheating too. Air flow is deemed the most important thing in keeping cats, dogs and all feline friends safe this summer. Be mindful to give your pets shade without covering their direct air flow. Ceramic bowls are recommended for these warmer weeks for storing your pets' water as they are best for keeping the water cooler for longer. Other trained professionals are taking to their platforms to give their purr-fect tips on One vet Up to around 23 degrees it is ok to lightly exercise your dog but any strenuous exercise could put them at risk of heat stroke. She advised that most breeds are okay in temps up to 19 degrees but you should be keeping a watchful eye on your pet for any signs of overheating. A dog's age, breed and overall health are factors that determine how much your pet is at risk for heat stroke. Kathleen explained that any temperature above 32 degrees is extremely dangerous for dogs Vet Pohl has stated that this type of heat can cause dogs to die of multiple things some as serious as organ failure. 4 Vets issued urgent advice to keep your pets cool this summer Credit: 4 Flat nose dogs are most at risk for heat stroke Credit:
