Naturally Healthy Dogs
Cool Your Dog Down by Acupressure

August, 2011

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Natural Dog Health Remedies

In this issue:

• Beware of Heat Stroke
• Cooling Your Dog using Acupressure
• Dog Treat Recipe - Spinach Cheesy Squares
• Aromatherapy Recipe - Fatigue Oil Blend

The dog days of summer are here! Every day the temperature is over 35 degrees C (95F) in our city. We have to walk our dog Hana early in the morning and after dark to avoid heat stroke.

If you also live in a hot place, be extremely careful not to get your dog overheated. As you know, dogs have very limited ways of ridding themselves of body heat. They only have some small sweat glands in their foot pads and on their noses. They expel heat mostly through panting.

Heat stroke can happen very quickly - and it can happen to any dog - although overweight dogs, those with heavy thick coats, puppies, older dogs, and dogs with short, flat noses (brachycephalic) such as boxers and pugs are more susceptible.

Visit our page on Dog Heat Stroke to learn more about its warning signs.

Severe heat stroke can cause permanent organ and even brain damage to the dog. It is therefore extremely important to prevent heat exhaustion by avoiding exertion on hot days.

What To Do If Heat Stroke Happens:

If your dog starts showing signs of heat stroke and his body temperature is close to 103F, immediately stop all activities and give your dog fresh water to drink. Wet your dog down with cool water and move him to a cool, shady area (if you are outside). Use a fan or air-conditioner to cool the air if you are inside.

Once you have started the cool-down process, you can use simple acupressure (see next section) to enhance the dog's ability to expel body heat. You should then take your dog to the vet as soon as possible to make sure he doesn't suffer any internal damage.

If your dog's temperature goes over 105F, immediate veterinary care is essential. Quickly wet the dog completely and spray cool water on his neck and groin, and take him to the emergency veterinary clinic. While en route to the clinic, use acupressure to help your dog's body release heat.

Acupressure is a quick way to help your dog release internal body heat. I learned about this from a veterinarian who also practices acupuncture. By chance, I also read about using acupressure to help dogs with heat stroke in a magazine!

The acupressure points (acupoints) to be stimulated in order to help release body temperature in a dog are as follows:

Picture Source: Animal Wellness Magazine

GV 14 - This acupoint is located on the midline of the dog at the base of the neck just in front of the scapula (shoulder blades). This acupoint is used to clear heat from the whole body.

GV 20 - This acupoint is located at the top of the dog's head, on the midline between the ears. It clears heat as well as calms the mind.

Liv 2 - This acupoint is located on the hind paws on top of the webbing between the first and second digits. It cools blood heat and calms the heart.

Lu 9 - This point is located on the forelimbs, above the wrist on the inside toward the front of the leg. It supports lung function, clears heat, and promotes the vital energy of the arteries.

The most effective way to cool down the dog and help him breathe is to lightly scratch each of the above acupoints with your index and middle fingers.

My dog loves these healthy squares with spinach which is loaded with nutrients and iron.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1 cup skim milk
• 1 cup grated low-fat cheddar cheese
• One 10-oz package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350F.
• Grease an 8x8-inch square pan with nonstick vegetable spray.
• Stir together flour and baking powder in a large bowl and set aside.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, olive oil and milk.
• Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and mix until smooth.
• Stir in cheese and spinach.
• Spread the batter evenly into the pan.
• Bake for 35 minutes, or until light golden.
• Cut into squares. Cool completely before serving.

This essential oil blend is effective in revitalizing dogs who are suffering from fatigue, lethargy, and malaise due to hot weather, overactivity, chronic illness, or just old age! (Adapted from "Holistic Aromatherapy for Animals" by Kristen Leigh Bell):

• 1/2 oz (15 ml) base oil such as sweet almond oil
• 7 drops Rosemary essential oil
• 5 drops Tangerine essential oil
• 3 drops Ylang Ylang essential oil

Mix well and store in a dark glass bottle. Apply 2-4 drops of the blend to the neck and chest of the dog via gentle massage.

NOTE: Use rosemary oil with caution if your dog is prone to seizures.