People are trying different ways to keep their pet animals in good humour as dog days have come to stay.
In the land of Ongole breed of cattle, elite sections of farmers even install ceiling fans and air coolers, besides giving them a good shower at periodic intervals each day so that they do not suffer heatstroke with the mercury levels shooting up every other day.
The majestic Ongole bulls are reared by progressive farmers who treat them as their family members.
Summer is the toughest time for these majestic beasts, which thrive on the tracts between Gundalakamma and Musi rivers, thanks to the farmers who rear it with passion with the average farmer going for tractors for farm operations to cut down on costs.
“We spend about ₹1.80 lakh per year in the case of calves and about ₹2.40 lakh on grown up bulls,” explains Mr.Chundi Ranga Rao, who runs a cattle farm in Maddipadu. “The bovine beasts mean more than my children,” he adds talking to The Hindu while feeding them coconut water.
It is not just human beings are at the risk of suffering sunstroke. Sun can be equally harsh on pet animals including canines and felines if adequate precautionary measures are not taken, says Dr. G. S. Haritha, Veterinary Scientist at the Krishi Vignan Kendra at Darsi in Prakasam district.
Symptoms
Pet animals are brought to veterinary hospital many-a-time with symptoms such as excessive panting or difficulty in breathing, drooling, weakness, stupor, seizures and elevated body temperature, which are typical of heatstroke in animals, she explains.
They are prone to succumbing to sunstroke if they are not given plenty of water to avoid dehydration, besides being kept away from the hot sun.
Among dogs, pets with flat faces such as pugs, boxers (they cannot pant effectively) and hairy breeds such as Golden retriever, German shepherd and Spitz are more prone to heatstroke, she says.
Additional care
Additional care should be taken to pet animals which are overweight by putting them in a cool place, she says.
One should never leave their pet dogs unattended in a car as they cannot perspire to adjust to the sudden shooting up of the temperature in a closed car, she adds.
