Recognizing, Treating, and Preventing Heat-Related Illness in Pets

When it comes to the heat of summer, most of us know the danger it poses to humans. What many of us do not consider is the danger that the heat of summer may pose to our pets. Just as humans can become dehydrated, sun-burned, and experience other heat-related conditions, so can our pets.

A good rule to follow when safeguarding our pets from the heat is; if it is too hot outside for us, it is too hot for our pets. Just as we suffer from prolonged time in the heat, our pets do too. If we cannot handle being out for more than a few minutes, chances are that our pets cannot handle the heat either.

If we do have our pets outdoors in the heat, they need to have ample shade and plenty of water to help keep them protected. Just as we can experience dehydration and heat exhaustion; even heat stroke, our pets are susceptible as well. Being sure that there is plenty of shade and plenty of water nearby and well within reach, can do a lot to help protect our pets. If our pet does begin to show signs of heat exhaustion, we must take care to cool him off before the condition worsens. Here are some things to look for and do to help care for our pets.

If our pet is over-heated, chances are that it will be acting abnormally. Knowing how our pet normally acts and paying attention to changes in behavior can help us to detect a problem before it gets worse. Just as in humans, the faster we detect a problem and take necessary steps to help fix the problem, the better the chances for survival.

If our pet is lying around, not moving a lot, and panting, chances are that our pet is over-heated and needs to be cooled of as quickly as possible. A dog only sweats around its paws, this is not adequate enough to cool off a pet that is over-heated, and panting is how a dog will attempt to get rid of extra body heat; thus, a sign that the pet is over-heated. The scary truth is, a dog that is over-heated can suffer from brain and organ damage in a mere

15 minutes. This is not a lot of time to avoid permanent damage.

Just as humans can suffer from heat stroke, so can dogs. Knowing the signs and symptoms of heat stroke in a dog can go a long way to ensuring survival. The following are signs and symptoms of possible heat stroke in a dog, and require immediate care.

A body temperature of 104 to 110 degrees (Fahrenheit)

Heavy panting

Rapid heartbeat

Glazed or glassy appearance in the eyes

Dark or bright red tongue and/or gums

Excessive thirst

Salivating profusely

Lethargic behavior

Fever

Apparent dizziness or lack of coordination

Staggering when attempting to walk

Appearing to be in a stupor

Seizure

Diarrhea with blood

Vomiting

Unconsciousness or unresponsiveness

If you pet dog, or any dog is displaying any sign or symptom of possible heat stroke, immediate care is needed. Care involves the following:

Move the dog to a shady or air-conditioned area. Take care when moving the animal. Chances are he is frightened and as a result, may become aggressive. Talk softly and move slowly to avoid startling the animal. If needed, cover the eyes with a towel to help calm and subdue the dog.

Apply ice packs or cold towels to the animal's head, neck, and chest. You may immerse the animal in cool, but not cold, water. If the water is too cold, it will constrict the blood vessels and actually make it harder to cool the animal off.

Give the animal small amounts of water or allow it to lick ice cubes. Do not allow the animal to drink large amounts at one time. Just as we need to drink very slowly when we are dehydrated, so does our pet. Drinking too quickly can cause upset stomach and possibly vomiting, making the dehydration even worse.

Even if it appears that your pet is cooling off and feeling better, take him to the vet. You should never assume that your pet is okay; damage may have been done to the internal organs, including the brain. A vet needs to do a complete check to be sure that the animal is okay.

Just as some humans are more susceptible to heat, there are certain pets that are too. If an animal if very old, very young, or already ill, the animal is more likely to suffer from heat related problems because the animal will not be able to naturally regulate its own body temperature as it normally would.

Dogs that have short, or snub noses cannot pant effectively and should be kept out of the heat as much as possible. Examples of such dogs would be pugs, and bulldogs.

Overweight animals are likely to become over-heated due to the extra fatty tissue that they have on their bodies. These animal's bodies will trap the heat in the fatty tissue and cause heat-related problems.

Any animal that has a heavy coat of fur is more likely to experience heat -related problems due to the heavy coat they carry. These animals should be trimmed to help keep them cooler in the hot months.

Any animal that has a heart or respiratory condition is susceptible to the heat due to the damage that their body already has. Any heart or respiratory condition make sit difficult for the body to effectively keep oxygen flowing, and also makes it harder for the animal to pant.

The best thing to do is to help prevent heat-related problems in our pets before they ever start. Taking a few steps to safeguard our pets can be the difference between life and death.

Monitor pets closely when they are outside in the hot months.

Always provide plenty of shade for the animal to go to when outside.

Keep plenty of fresh water outside for your pet to drink to help keep the animal cool and hydrated.

Never leave your pet unattended outside during the hot months, even if the animal is in the shade. The position of the sun, thus, the position of the shade will change throughout the day, and what once was a cooler spot in the yard, may become too hot.

Never leave your pet in a parked car during the hot months, even for a very short period of time. When it is 85 degrees outdoors, the interior temperature of a car can quickly climb to 120 or 130 degrees in a few short minutes. This is true even if the windows are left slightly down and the car is parked in a shady area. Even the milder outdoor temperatures in the early spring can pose a threat to an animal.

Limit the amount of exercise your pet gets in the heat. Try to allow your pet to get its exercise in the early morning or later evening when it is not so hot outside.

Keep your pet in the grass when outdoors. The hot asphalt or concrete can burn your pet's paws.

If you pet stays outdoors, use the hose to cool it off every chance you get. Spray your pet before leaving for work, go home at lunch to check on the animal and hose it off again, and do it again after work. The more often you cool your pet off, the less likely it will suffer from the heat.

If your animal has a lot of fur, trim it and keep it shorter to help the animal stay cool. Thick, heavy fur traps heat.

Apply sunscreen to your animal's nose and ears to help avoid sunburn in those sensitive areas. If an animal has a lighter colored nose, it is much more susceptible to sunburn.

Keep your animal away from large crowds and loud noises during the hotter months. The stress with the crowds of people and noises compiled with the heat can be dangerous to your pet.

Pets are great companions, and parts of our families. They deserve to be cared for the same way we would care for any other member of the family. When it comes to the dangers of heat-related problems, we are the number one source of prevention for our pets. They count on us to keep them safe and well-cared for in the heat. Knowing how to prevent heat-related problem, what to look for and how to respond in case of a problem are all steps in giving our pets the very best in the hot months.