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Protect Your Pet From Summer Heat

Taking a break on a hot day

by Rhiannon Bowman, Special to Pet O’ Mine

Pet owners should be ultra-attentive to their pets’ special needs during summer months because heat-related illnesses can be severe and even lead to death.

The Concord Animal Hospital has reported one heat-related death already this summer. A puppy wrapped itself around the tree its owners chained it to and was unable to reach its water bowl, says Stephanie Sells, a veterinary technician at the hospital.

The puppy’s owners brought it into Sells’ office about 12 hours after the puppy died, far too late for the staff or doctors to be able to offer any assistance.

Sells says anytime there is a wide temperature fluctuation – for example, 75 degrees one day and 90 degrees the next—the hospital sees more puppies and elderly dogs with heat-induced symptoms.

“Most dogs can tolerate the heat,” says Dr. John Mazur of the Catawba Animal Clinic in Rock Hill, S.C., “But, people with older dogs need to be more concerned because younger dogs are more able to get up and move to a shady spot than an older, arthritic dog.”

Brachycephalic dogs, such as Pugs, Boxers, Shih Tzu and Shar pei, also have a difficult time.

“Smooshed face dogs can’t get enough air to cool off as fast [as other dogs],” says Sells.

Regardless of the breed, no dog should ever be left in a vehicle—not even in the shade, and not even for a minute, according to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s Animal Care and Control Division.

To avoid overheating, exercise pets during the early morning or late at night to avoid the hottest hours of the day and be sure to provide them with plenty of fresh, cold water and a shelter or shady spot.

Be careful of their paws. Paw pads can burn, so avoid hot asphalt, pavement and sand.

Place a kiddie pool in a shaded area and fill it with fresh water everyday so dogs can cool themselves, suggests the Charlotte animal control.

Some signs the heat has become too much for a pooch are heavy panting, dizziness, a discolored tongue, vomiting, glassy eyes and a rapid pulse.

If a dog is overheated, it is imperative its temperature is lowered as quickly as possible, but beware—dumping water on it, or applying freezing cold ice packs can induce shock.

To lower its temperature, first move the pet into the shade, encourage it to lie down and use chilled towels or compresses to cool its head, neck and chest.

It is okay to allow the dog to drink small amounts of water or to lick ice, but do not permit it to gulp—that could lead to additional vomiting and, thus, dehydration.

Finally, take the dog to a veterinarian’s office for a check-up as soon as possible.

In general, says Dr. Mazur, “If you wouldn’t be out there, your dog shouldn’t be out there either.” Pet o' Mine Magazine