Barometric pressure:
Many of us have now experienced increase in regurgitation when barometric pressure changes. We tracked that as part of our plan for our ME GSD Gretyl as couldn’t figure out why she could go for extended periods of time (sometimes a month) without anything then have it begin again. We added a column to our journal and after 4 months could see when the bigger drops in temperatures which also meant bigger barometric pressure changes, she would start gurgling more than regurg. I started posting to ask others in various parts of the country if they could track or see if that also was happening with their ME dogs and over the past 3 years, many have been able to see similar with their dog. We carefully watch weather maps and track systems and fronts and though there isn’t much that can be done to remove that condition, knowing and being prepared has helped.

One of the best examples I can use was another friend with an ME dog who rarely if ever regurgs. Their area was hit by a hurricane last year and they evacuated inland a few miles. Due to the extreme shifts in barometric pressure, her dog started regurging. We were able to talk so IO could explain what was probably happening and to make sure she watched for her dog trying to eat it back up but also looking for any signs of aspiration pneumonia. Many of us in same natural disaster parts of the US keep Cerenia on hand to be used during an emergency in case we do not have access to our veterinarian. It becomes part of the preparation each season as does keeping what other medical supplies we may need relative to this as possible (i.e., nebulizer, any other meds our veterinarian may prescribe in advance to have on hand, etc).

Heat:
Remember, since our ME dogs cannot drink water as normal, we must be more diligent with watching their hydration level. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are potentials so you may have to give them more while upright and include in-between meals depending on your dogs breed, age, exercise level, etc.

Cold:
As with heat, extreme cold is also a problem for our ME dogs. Since their systems may act differently, make sure they are prepared to withstand whatever temperatures you might get. Also, watch for them eating snow. This one has come up many times in discussion with folks who let their dogs outside without supervision. It may take you much more closely monitoring your dog because snow is frozen water so your dog could aspirate on it too.