If you’ve been suffering from an early round of summer heat lately, you’re not alone. Temperatures above a certain threshold can be dangerous for pets as well.
A veterinarian with the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service says dogs are able to sweat through their paw pads though their most common way to handle hot weather is by panting which moves air over the saliva in their mouth creating a sort of evaporative cooling. This still has limited success in preventing heat stress or heat stroke. He says we need to be aware of signs that our pet is falling victim to heat. These signs include excessive panting, drooling and difficulty breathing. He advises offering water to a stressed dog, but not cold water.
You may use towels soaked in lukewarm water…anything to cool them down gradually. Finally, if things aren’t looking better in ten minutes he says it’s time to call the vet.
Comments