Protect your dog from deadly heatstroke
Every single year as we enter the summer period in Dubai we, veterinarians, are seeing an increase in the number of heatstroke cases or heat exhaustion in dogs. Heatstroke is a syndrome of cellular damage caused by increased body temperature of usually more than 42 degrees Celsius. Dogs are particularly exposed to heatstroke largely because of their inability to sweat.
Heatstroke happens – and can be fatal – when the heat production overwhelms the ability for the body to cool down its own temperature. The degree of injury on the body depends on two factors: the magnitude of the temperature and the duration of the temperature elevation. All body systems, the kidneys, liver, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, central nervous system and muscles are affected by heatstroke thus explaining the severity and the multitude of symptoms.
Symptoms of heatstroke include increased body temperature, panting, restlessness, vomiting and/or diarrhoea. Shock can develop as heatstroke syndrome progresses with the loss of con-sciousness, seizures and death.
Treatment should be initiated as early as possible with cooling procedures started by the owner. Wetting the patient with cool water. Iced water should be avoided because it leads to skin vaso-constriction and loss of heat dissipation. Often hospitalisation is necessary.
Prevention is key. Restrict exercise typically from June to September in Dubai. Walk your dog early in the morning or late at night. Have access to water and shade at all times. Dogs should be sprinkled with water regularly and should never be left in a car without air conditioning. Particular attention is given to flat nosed breeds such as bulldogs, pugs, shihtzus, pekingese and many others.
From Mr Mehdi Mzabi
Dubai
Reducing pet abandonment
It is good decision that to own a dog, we will need to obtain a licence. Otherwise, a fine will be imposed. There are many abandoned dogs in various parts of the UAE. Hopefully this law can reduce the number of dogs left behind.
From Mr M. A. Mannan
Abu Dhabi
Saving lives with transplants
It’s wonderful to know that the first kidney transplant was done in Dubai and this gave new life to the mother of two whose kidneys were damaged (‘First kidney transplant in Dubai’, Gulf News, June 16). I congratulate the team of doctors and nurses who performed the surgery, and I appreciate the authorities who organised the logistics. Time management is the main factor for these types of organ transplants.
There are a lot of patients who undergo dialysis and transplants, and this news will be a relief for these patients. There are a lot of people willing to donate their organs to save lives. Now that the UAE has made this step, there should be an organisation where people can register. These organisations can work with hospitals and arrange transplants.
With advanced technology, we can transplant most organs, which can help to prolong and save lives. Let this be a start.
From Mr Eappen Elias
Dubai
Horrific crimes
Killing a mother and a child is not even done in the animal kingdom (‘Parents ‘kill pregnant woman for honour’ in Pakistan’, Gulf News, June 18)! At this point the government is as much responsible as these inhumane relatives for not having harder punishments for such horrific crimes.
From Ms Matea Medaric
Dubai
Facebook comment
Why is this honour?
Too bad, this is so evil. Why did they need to take someone’s life because of honour? What a barbaric act!
From Ms Rolleene Del Prado Ruiz
UAE
Facebook comment
Inhumane actions
How cheap people can be. Honour is more important than family? Where is the honour when the murderers are behind bars? Is it the same if a boy of the family goes and marries his choice, marrying for love, or is this inhumane action only taken against girls?
From Ms Umme Ahmad
Abu Dhabi
Facebook comment
This isn’t natural
What culture is it that puts a higher value on, essentially, what others think of them, rather than the well-being of their child? It goes against Nature. Something is wrong with the culture that creates it.
From Mr Ali L. Cuuex
UAE
Facebook comment
Jisha’s murderer found?
After a month and a half of investigations and marathon questioning, the new investigation team headed by Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) B. Sandhya could arrest the alleged murderer of Jisha, who was brutally raped and killed. Hats off to Sandhya and her team for their round the clock investigation.
The forensic reports later confirmed that the blood found on the man was Jisha’s blood. The DNA profile of Ameerul Islam matched with the DNA samples collected from the saliva found on Jisha’s body from bites and the blood stains on the door of her house. It was scientific evidence that played a key role in cracking the murder. Hence, the saliva samples of the accused, which later matched, confirmed Ameerul’s involvement. The motive of the murder was silly. Ameerul nursed a grudge towards Jisha. She mocked him after a woman slapped him with a sandal while he attempted to abuse her a few days before the incident.
From Mr Sunny Joseph
Mala, India
Foolish political decisions
It is unfortunate that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government continues to give enough ammunition for the Opposition parties to attack them. It started with the appointment of Gajendra Chauhan as the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) chief and now cricketer Chetan Chauhan as the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) chief. Another hot topic is the reluctance of Raghuram Rajan to continue as Reserve Bank of India (RBI) governor. I feel it is time that the NDA government puts on their thinking cap and stops their unwarranted actions to strengthen the arms of the Opposition parties.
From Mr N. Mahadevan
Mylapore, India
Progress is impossible without changes
When it comes to the employment opportunities in India, it is very low. The government is caring only for the rich (‘If there is growth, why no jobs for us?’, Gulf News, June 17). Many policy decisions are counterproductive in nature. For instance, in India foreign direct investment (FDI) is possible in many sectors, but it’s not allowed in retail. If FDI is allowed in multi-brand retail outlets, it will create thousands of employment opportunities. The top retailers in the world such as Walmart, Carrefour and Tesco are waiting for the government’s approval in this regard to enter the unexplored Indian retail industry. Their entry in India will ensure a world class supply chain management, procurement, distribution and product standardisation. They can streamline the activities from producers to final consumers in a systematic way. This will make sure a fair price for both the consumers and producers. Now what is happening in India is the exploitation by middle men, leaving both producers and consumers at the receiving end. Metropolitan cities are filled up with slums. India started 3G networks when other countries started enjoying the swiftness of 4G. This disparity should be addressed in a wider sense.
This is happening in a country where launching of satellites is a routine affair. Oil prices fell. Citizens of consumer countries are enjoying the availability of cheap petroleum products and its positive impact in the markets, except those in India only due to wrong taxation and revenue generation.
It is also a shame that India, the fastest growing economy in the world, sends one of the largest numbers of housemaids to foreign countries. Progress is impossible without changes.
From Mr Girish R. Edathitta
Dubai
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