Don't Let Your Pet Become A Hot Dog

Sage Canine Advice, by Sage Riverdog – May 27, 2012

Special care needs to be taken for dogs when the temperatures soar in the summer. Dogs wear their fur coats all year long, although mother nature thins it out some during the summer. Dogs can easily get heat exhaustion or heat stroke if you aren’t careful. Dogs only perspire through their pads of their feet and their noses. 

Never leave a dog in a hot car and always have lots of shade and fresh, cool water handy if dogs are outside during the heat of the day. Exercise early in the morning. When leaving water outside, be sure to clean the bowl regularly. Algae begins to grow in the bowl if it is not cleaned regularly, and that’s not healthy for dogs.

Here are signs that show if your dog is overheating:

• Body temperature above 104.
• Vigorous panting 
• Dark red gums
• Tacky or dry mucus membranes
• Listlessness or unwillingness to get up 
• Collapse or loss of consciousness
• Thick saliva 
• Dizziness or disorientation

Should your dog overheat, get him in the shade immediately, cool him/her off slowly, with cool towels on the feet and head. Don’t use ice or cool a dog off too quickly, because that can cause damage as well. I particularly like cool water running on my legs and feet.   
It’s a good idea to have your vet check out your dog if your dog has experienced any of the above symptoms – organ damage can occur during heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

Of course if you’re a Labrador, like me, the nearest swimming hole is ideal!

Have a safe, enjoyable and cool Memorial Day weekend.

About Sage – Sage is an 8-year-old black Labrador retriever who lives with River District Executive Director Edna Chirico and Edna’s husband, John Huber. Sage earned a Canine Good Citizen award, which allows her to visit nursing homes, hospitals and schools. Sage loves to run, fetch, swim, ride in boats, travel in the car and play with just about anyone, especially children.