What could be wrong with him?

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Ranyhyn

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When walking my two last week, Roly seemed to flag really badly half way through. To the point where he could walk no more. He was panting very heavilly. I picked him up and carried him (thank God he's a jack x) until we found some water, where he drunk loads and then recovered pretty quickly.

I am thinking he's over heating possibly? He is no less or more fit than the bitch, the same age and we all walked the same distance (not far at all) the only difference in the two is, he's black and broken coated and he gets stupidly OTT about the ball I throw for them occassionally.

He's done it once before - same situation but then he actually collapsed. I carried him home, put him in the bath with cold water over his neck to cool him and within 5 mins he was ok. So chalked that up to heatstroke (but again it was 11am and we hadn't gone far)

He's fine on a normal walk - for an infinite amount of time, but it seems if i take a ball OR if its going to be a hot day - he suffers.

So I am thinking, get him clipped? He hasn't got a massively long coat, but being black - he'll suffer the sun first.

Here's a pic for those of you who don't know what the Real-Pig looks like

DSCF2308.jpg

Roly11.jpg
 
My young BC sometimes has what can only be described as a 'hypo'. He is totally obsessive, and will run and run and run after toys, until he gets wobbly legs.

Each time this has happen it coinsides with me (being a bad mummy) running out of food, and him only getting a small breakfast instead of the full amount - its like he uses all his energy up and gets a sugar low.

My dog is very light and a but underweight for his size (gets fed for a 25kg dog and he only weighs 17kg), and thats why when he over does it, he gets wobbly.

Could that be your dogs problem?
 
It has been deceptively hot here the past week even early on, and with him being a dark hairy chap he prob does feel it more.

I tend to keep to wooded walks near water if I can and not encourage them to hoon about so much if it's hotter (not saying you do) just incase they overdo it.

You could clip him if you think it will make a difference :)
 
I take one of those bottles with a tray incorporated. If you freeze it the night before, remembering not to completely fill it because the ice expands, it stays cold until you need it, you could take 2 or a bigger bottle of just water to top up when its melting. If you took a bag or rucksack, at aleast you've got it if you can't find a stream

Just found this on tinternet

http://www.gshepherd.com/heat_stroke.htm
 
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His colour means that he absorbs the heat a lot quicker than others and so consequently is suffering. Try, as suggested, to keep to woodland walks, walk early in the day/late at night, carry water or walk in areas where the dog can access water from a river or such like.

Please do NOT clip him as his coat will be providing an element of insulation against the heat.

I had a solid black pointer years ago that was an absolutely cracking dog but totally useless in August for working as couldn't stand the heat on the open moors. Pointers have NO coat at all and he really suffered.....hence, please do not clip! :)
 
Just got back from a walk now with them, he did flag quicker than the bitch again - but this time no ball and we had a rest half way.

I can change routine through summer so we walk late, that's no issue at all :) and we do have some nice woodland which we haven't been to in a while, so we can use that instead. :)

Shall not clip :) maybe I can get him a sun reflective coat for days when we have to go out during the sunny afternoon...like...http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/HEAT-REFLECTI...UK_Pet_Supplies_Dogs&var=&hash=item6b1b1abf53
 
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