Hot, Hot Dog! Summer Heat and Your Pup

As temperatures rise and extreme heat becomes the standard weather forecast, both man and man’s best friend will need to take special precautions to keep cool and safe. Unlike humans, dogs have very few sweat glands and must rely on releasing heat through panting; invoking an evaporative cooling process whereby cooler air is sucked into the lungs and hot, moist air is released through the mouth.  When temperatures are especially hot and humid this evaporative process is compromised, making overheating and heatstroke an all too real possibility for our canine friends.

Signs of Canine Heat Distress:

1.  Excessive Panting and labored breathing:  Panting is your dog’s cooling mechanism, but excessive panting could be a sign your pup is in distress.
2. Excessive Drooling: Thicker and sticker drool that is excessive is a sign of canine heat stroke.
3. Dehydration: Dry nose, fatigue, sunken eyes, lack of urine, and bright red, purple or grayish gums are all signs that your pup is dangerously dehydrated.
4. Fever: Your pup’s nose should be wet and cool, if it’s hot and dry, he could have a fever.
5. Muscle Tremors:  If your dog is shaking or shivering it could be a sign of heat exhaustion.
6. Dizziness:  Difficulty standing and walking or bumping into the furniture is another sign of distress.
7. Vomiting and Diarrhea: Vomiting a thick drool or bloody stools are clear signs of heat stroke.

Treatment:

1. Take dog indoors to a cooler area immediately.
2. Wet the dog with cooler water for a larger dog and lukewarm water for smaller dogs to try and gradually bring his body temperature down (don’t use cold or freezing water).
3. Put him in front of a fan until their temperature drops to 39.5 C (use a pet thermometer).
4. Give him small sips of cool or lukewarm water (again no cold water or ice).
5. Even if his symptoms improve, get your pup to a vet immediately to make sure there is no organ distress from the heat stroke.

Prevention:

1. Make sure your home is cooled on hot, humid days, and be careful that your dog’s crate is not in a hot, stagnate area of your home.
2. If you leave your dog alone and cannot control the internal temperature of your home, consider day care while you are at work and boarding while you are on vacation. Make sure the kennel you choose has fans and air-conditioned accommodations.
3. Don’t exercise your dog outdoors on days with extreme temperatures. Even dogs with access to sprinklers and ponds can overheat if the temperatures are high and the pup is overactive.
4. Don’t leave a dog in a car ever! Even with the windows cracked, and even if outside temperatures are not hot, cars can heat to over 50 C within minutes no matter what the season.
5. Take special care of flat nosed dogs, ill dogs, and elderly dogs as they are especially vulnerable to heat stroke.
6. Give your pup plenty of water during the summer season.
7. Avoid walking your dog in the middle of the day and stick to a morning and evening schedule.
8. If you have any special concerns about your dog’s specific vulnerability to heat distress, contact your vet for more detailed preventative measures.