| Summers always brings to mind things like | | | | A dog who is stabilizing could be put back into |
| vacations, picnics, boating on lakes and rivers, and | | | | distress when loaded into a hot vehicle. Make sure |
| children playing in the sun and swimming in the | | | | that someone rides with him who can apply the |
| pool or at beaches. Many times the family dog is | | | | ice pack to his belly in route to the hospital. This |
| right there with them totally engaged in the | | | | may not be necessary unless you cannot manage |
| activities. There is fun to be had for sure but | | | | to bring his temperature down by the |
| there is also a lurking danger. Heat exhaustion! | | | | aforementioned methods. You don't want to |
| Dogs love to get caught up with us in our | | | | further shock the dogs system by throwing him |
| summer fun. They live for these social activities | | | | into a cold pool or lake. You can walk him in to |
| and your companionship. Many times though they | | | | where his belly is cooled but do not throw him in |
| get so caught up that they surpass their own | | | | as this could create shock that could cause a |
| bodies ability to cool off and go into distress from | | | | heart attack or further stress. |
| heat exhaustion. At this time their bodies | | | | Whether or not your dog is prone to heat |
| overheat past their capacity to cool themselves | | | | exhaustion has everything to do with his individual |
| by panting. If this is let go unattended they can | | | | body makeup. Some dogs like people are better |
| go from heat exhaustion to heat stroke which | | | | at cooling themselves than others. This could be |
| could be deadly. Recognizing the signs of heat | | | | due to body type, coat color, coat type, or being |
| exhaustion in your dog is critical to his well-being. | | | | overweight, or due to physical malady. Paying |
| When a dog is suffering heat exhaustion the first | | | | attention to your dogs' individual makeup is very |
| thing that you will notice is his tongue hanging out | | | | important. |
| of his mouth to an unusual degree. His need to | | | | Ideas for keeping your dog cool and safe in the |
| try to gasp for air and cool himself will cause his | | | | summer are many: |
| lips to pull back and expose his back molars. He | | | | 1. Provide adequate availability of cool fresh water |
| will start to exhibit signs of stress which may | | | | that is kept in shaded areas. |
| show itself in pacing, circling, laying down and then | | | | 2. Provide plenty of shade. Shade can be provided |
| getting right back up again, or a glazed over look | | | | by overhead covers, trees, pop ups, solid fencing |
| in his eyes that denotes panic. He is panicking | | | | etc. |
| because his body is telling him that his | | | | 3. Provide a child's pool with water in a shaded |
| temperature is rapidly rising to a point that he | | | | area for him to lay in. |
| cannot cool himself. | | | | 4. Never leave him in a hot car or contained area |
| You should always have a thermometer on hand | | | | where he cannot get to shade. Do not expect a |
| when you own a dog so that you can tell if your | | | | crate or a dog house to provide shade. These |
| dog has an ailment that you should be concerned | | | | enclosures can actually hold heat if left in the sun5. |
| with and needs immediate action and attention. | | | | 5. If the dog must work in the heat there are |
| Body temperature is the best indicator of | | | | cooling pads, vests, and collars available on the |
| wellness or distress in your dog. Normal | | | | market. |
| temperature for a dog depending on age and | | | | 6. Always keep a thermometer on hand to take |
| outside temperature can range from 101 to 103 | | | | the dogs temperature if necessary. |
| with the extreme ends being a bit high or a bit | | | | 7. Make sure you have ice packs in the freezer in |
| low depending on outside temperature and the | | | | case of emergency. |
| stress that the dog is under at the time. A dog | | | | 8. If the area the dog is in is too hot for you it is |
| who's temperature rises above these levels | | | | too hot for your dog! |
| should be considered to be in danger and | | | | 9. If your dog is not allowed in the house at least |
| immediate action and veterinary care are called | | | | crate train him so that you can bring him into an |
| for. | | | | air conditioned laundry room or other room of the |
| In the case of heat exhaustion the dogs | | | | house out of the heat. |
| temperature could go up quickly to over 104 to | | | | 10. There are a number of items available to help |
| 105. This signals the danger of heat stroke which | | | | cool yourself and your dog on the market. These |
| could be fatal. Before loading the dog into a | | | | include fans and mister systems that are easily |
| potentially hot car and speeding off to the | | | | installed and maintained. |
| veterinarian immediate action should be taken. | | | | 11. Consider reversing your dog's schedule in the |
| This involves getting the dog cooled down quickly | | | | summer. If he is crated at night during the winter, |
| while at the same time not shocking the dogs | | | | consider crating him during the day in the air |
| system. This is best done by putting cool water | | | | conditioning in the summer and leaving him out at |
| on his belly (not his back) which is where his vital | | | | night. |
| organs are located. Get an ice pack or a zip lock | | | | 12. Most important to the safety of the dog be |
| bag with ice in it and apply it to his belly. Get him | | | | AWARE of his condition and activity in the |
| into the coolest spot you can find (air-conditioned | | | | summer months. |
| room or if outside under a shade tree) and begin | | | | Some of the recommendations above will seem |
| to work on getting his temperature down. You will | | | | like common sense to some people. It is |
| know this is happening when his tongue begins to | | | | important to note that although this SHOULD be |
| slide back into his mouth a little as he breathes. | | | | true, it is often not the case. We have had clients |
| When a dog has heat exhaustion he often will | | | | pull up in the summer and leave dogs in a hot car. |
| throw up his food. This is the bodies attempt to | | | | When called on it they will often say "he's a dog, |
| rid him of any extra baggage that will limit the | | | | he can handle it." Just to have us come down on |
| body from cooling. Do not give him water right | | | | them to their amazement. They are amazed that |
| away as he will probably throw this up also. | | | | we are bold enough to tell them to get the dog |
| Wait until he starts to stabilize and then offer him | | | | out of the hot car and we are amazed that they |
| a short cool drink. | | | | don't know better. I'm not just talking about any |
| If you need to rush him to the veterinarian make | | | | old client, I'm talking about professional people |
| sure that the car is cooled down prior to putting | | | | who should know better. |
| him inside. | | | | |