Summer is here! Once again we have long languid days and lots of time to get outside and have fun with our dogs. However, during these hot summer months our pets are susceptible to overheating. The best times to get out with your dog are morning and evening when it is cooler. Avoid the heat of midday. Leaving your dog in a car even with the windows down can lead to heat stroke. Remember most dogs have a significant coat that traps heat and they don’t sweat to shed heat. They are therefore much more susceptible than humans to overheating. Heat stroke can occur in as little as 10 minutes. Older dogs, long-haired dogs, brachycephalic breeds (those with short muzzles), and dogs with respiratory and cardiac issues are especially susceptible. If your dog is outside during these hot days, it is essential that adequate shade be provided along with a generous supply of water. Don’t leave your dog unattended in a car for even a few minutes. The windshield will magnify the heat of the sun. Even if you park in the shade, remember the sun moves. I know of a few instances where the person thought the car was shaded but it wasn’t for long.
Signs of overheating include panting, drooling, red gums, rapid heart rate, mental dullness, diarrhea, vomiting, seizures, coma, and death. If you think your furry friend is overheating, taking immediate action is the key to saving his or her life. The very first thing you should do is cool them down. Use cool air fans, or immerse in cold water (this is best). Do not use ice as it is not as effective. Check their body temperature and when it gets down to 103 degrees F, stop the cooling and get them immediately to a veterinarian. If they are shivering you’ve cooled too much. Even if they survive the initial episode, kidney failure, liver failure, total organ system failure, and brain damage are common sequelae. Most patients need to be hospitalized in the I.C.U. for days to prevent these subsequent effects. Even then many patients do not survive. Time is of the essence here.
The costs for such intensive care can be significant. . An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! Hopefully you’ve purchased pet insurance to cover such a catastrophe. Keep your pet cool and safe.
