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Dogs can get sunburned too

Keep your dog indoors during the hottest part of the day. That generally means from 10am to 3pm and applies year-round, regardless of whether it’s summer or winter.

I don't like my pet dog licking me, but I think that creates some distance between us and he doesn't come to me much after I restrict him from licking me. How can I possibly cover that distance between us?

A: That's your dog's way of showing affection, and getting a dog when you don't like licking at all doesn't seem to make sense. However, if it is excessive licking that you have a problem with then when he licks you, simply say "NO!" and walk away from him. Wait a couple of minutes, then go back and pet him. If he tries to lick you again, repeat.
Can dogs get sunburn? What should I do to prevent and treat it?
A: Dogs that are most likely to suffer from sunburn are white dogs, hairless dogs, dogs with thin haired and with light coloured fur. The risk of sunburn and skin cancer in dogs is increased if they are not properly cared for by putting sunscreen on them. Just like us, dogs can get sunburned too, and suffer from pain, peeling and skin cancer. Certain breeds can be particularly susceptible, including Staffordshire Terriers, Boxers, Bull Terriers, German Shorthaired Pointers and Pit Bulls, to name a few.
Put a dog sunscreen on before your dog goes outside — especially if your dog will be spending a lot of time out in the sun. It should be applied on your dog's nose, belly, ears, and groin. Any spot that is normally "pink" on your dog. Avoid using dog sunscreen around the eyes.
Keep your dog indoors during the hottest part of the day. That generally means from 10am to 3pm and applies year-round — because sun exposure is sun exposure, regardless of whether it's summer or winter. If your dog is in the backyard for long periods of time, make sure to provide some shade.
If your dog does happen to become sunburned, 100% pure Aloe Vera gel is the best way to quickly and easily soothe your dog's skin.
In the rainy season my dog loves to play in the rain. He comes back home all wet and muddy. It's not impossible for him to be bathed every day. Could you suggest some alternative?
A: The wet fur and muddy paws in pets can cause a lot of fungal, yeast infections and may result in a lot of discomfort. Sometimes the infections may even cause death, so it is important to keep the fur dry. A hairdryer or a room heater can be used to dry the damp fur. Dry shampoos and paper towels will help in cleaning the pet instead of giving it a bath.
My horse starts shaking his head after exercising for a few minutes. It got better during winters but now it's just as bad as before. What could be the reason?
A: Photic headshaking syndrome produces a very unique behaviour. The horse spontaneously jerks or flips its head without any obvious stimuli. The repetitive action seems involuntary, much like an uncontrollable tic in a human.
Horses thought to suffer from photic headshaking syndrome deserve a complete evaluation from an equine vet to rule out any other causes. But once the diagnosis has been made, it can be a frustrating undertaking to extinguish the behaviour. Because bouts of sneezing can accompany the onset of the behaviour, antihistamines are often tried at first, just in case the horse is suffering from a seasonal allergy.
Anecdotally, some horse owners have found improvement by keeping a fly mask on their horse as a sort of sunscreen. Indeed, there appears to be a relationship between sunlight and the headshaking behaviour, hence the word photic (meaning "light") in the malady's name.
With some lucky horses, the compulsive headshaking spontaneously disappears with a change of seasons. Unfortunately, there are other horses whose headshaking progresses to a year-round obsession. Their headshaking behaviour renders them virtually unrideable.
With a dedicated equine vet and a patient owner, however, most horses diagnosed with photic headshaking syndrome can be made comfortable and remain useful.
(Views expressed and information provided are personal; Send your questions to manekaanimallove@gmail.com)

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