Summer has arrived. Although everyone enjoys the coolness of air conditioning, as a dog owner, walking your dog daily is essential, and this must be the happiest moment for your little dog. Before going out, it shakes its head, eagerly waits at the door, even softly whines. You have to leave the comfortable room to take it for a walk. Although the route and time are the same as usual, once outside, besides heavy panting, it often wants to lie down on the road before reaching home. This should alert you. Is this just because of the hot weather, or does your beloved dog have an underlying illness? Let’s talk about this issue in detail below.

　　1. Explanation of physiological phenomena

　　First, let’s talk about why your dog will appear at the door waiting for the walk regardless of the weather. Dogs, though not having as developed brains as humans, have biological clocks far more sensitive. That’s why it waits by your bed before you get up, or at the door when you come home. Because if the same event happens repeatedly, the dog’s biological clock firmly remembers it unless a stronger stimulus changes this reflex. So your dog waits punctually at the door every day to be taken out, which helps it relieve physiological needs and reduce stress. If your dog is unwilling to go out, it’s either because it previously had a bad experience outside or it’s physically unwell due to illness.

　　There are two kinds of bad impressions mentioned here. One is fright caused by external factors, such as being bullied or bitten by other dogs; hit by a car; or some dogs fear going out for a bath. They remember your tone and will refuse to go out once they hear that it's bath time. These reasons mainly stem from fear stimuli that outweigh the biological reflex to walk. The other bad impression is the potential disease I want to discuss. If your dog repeatedly returns panting heavily and feeling chest discomfort after walks, this conditioned reflex stimulus will make it unwilling to go out next time.

　　2. How to rule out weather as the reason

　　Having explained why dogs want to go for walks, let's talk about the weather. Although it’s still 6 pm, in summer the sun hasn’t set, and the heat from the ground hasn’t dissipated. So even at 6 pm, the heat is definitely one of the main reasons your dog pants heavily during walks. Dogs have different skin structure from humans; they lack sweat glands and can only evaporate moisture through panting to expel body heat, which is normal. Owners need to try harder to walk dogs before 7:30 am or after 7:30 pm to exclude heat as a cause. If after this, your dog no longer tires mid-way and pants more calmly, you can be assured your dog is not ill but just heat-sensitive. Starting in June, you can regularly shave its fur to remove the "coat". This will make your dog much more comfortable.

　　Haircut makes them happy~ Isn’t your pretty baby particularly proud? Remember, the first time you take your dog to get trimmed, be sure to praise it for being beautiful. Although dogs don’t understand human words, they can feel your encouraging tone, so they won’t fear grooming in the future!

　　3. Signals of “hidden” diseases!!!

　　If your dog still refuses to go out and stops frequently to rest during walks, please read carefully. If your dog is young, it still likes to go out in summer, but will lie down mid-way to rest or pant longer than other dogs, this very likely indicates the first type of underlying disease: tracheal disease! Because breed physical characteristics differ, some breeds have a strong tendency for such diseases. Common breeds include Pekingese, Pomeranian, Chihuahua, Bulldog, especially various miniature breeds that often have congenital tracheal diseases, such as tracheal stenosis and collapse. These dogs usually prefer calmness over activity. Even young, energetic dogs under 3 years don’t like to run. When excited, they show asthma-like symptoms similar to humans but improve after resting. If so, please take your dog to the hospital for an exam. An X-ray can help the doctor find the problem. Although these diseases usually don’t affect daily life much, it’s recommended to reduce walking time in summer to lessen discomfort.

Digital X-rays

　　The two images above are two digital X-rays from our hospital. The first image shows a normal trachea. The second clearly displays narrowing at the pointed location. Because this picture was taken by phone, the original X-ray image shows even more obvious differences. Comparing clearly reveals the problem, so timely veterinary care is crucial.

　　Now, let’s talk about the second kind of underlying disease, heart disease, which is a common and serious cause. In summer, many elderly dogs seen coughing or feeling throat obstruction in hospitals nearly 90% have this condition.

　　Dogs with this disease often show breed tendencies and are mostly elderly, including Pekingese, Pomeranian, and Chihuahua. These dogs mostly develop chronic heart disease without obvious symptoms in youth but gradually become breathless after age 6 or 7. They appear easily excited, often have purplish tongue coating, dislike going out in summer, and prefer cool places at home. Air conditioning is their favorite. In southern cities, these symptoms often appear during the rainy season and ease by autumn. If these symptoms occur, please take your dog to the hospital immediately. Acute heart attacks threaten life! Heart disease is a top killer in elderly dogs mainly because symptoms are easily overlooked. Early detection allows medication to relieve symptoms, prolonging life and improving quality. Late detection usually means acute attacks that are difficult to rescue or control.

X-ray

　　The images above are three X-rays of the two dogs shared earlier, but focus differently. The circled area shows the first dog mainly suffers from tracheal stenosis causing inadequate ventilation and rapid breathing. The second dog’s heart almost occupies half the chest cavity, with an abnormal shape, but the trachea shows no obvious abnormality. After auscultation and analysis of the third X-ray in different positions, this dog is diagnosed with heart disease. X-ray diagnosis is very important for heart disease, as the doctor uses professional measurements and calculations to determine disease type and severity.

　　Therefore, a good owner should detect problems early, give regular health care, and reduce disease chances so your dog lives comfortably. I will gradually organize and share more information about elderly dog heart diseases in future.

Hot summer days require prevention. Wishing you and your beloved dog a pleasant summer!