Warmer weather typically brings an increase in the number of dogs enjoying outdoor activities with their owners. While having your furry friend along on a hike, trip to the park, or camping excursion can be exciting, these outdoor activities can become deadly when your dog overheats.
Because dogs primarily pant instead of sweat, they are very sensitive to the heat. Hyperthermia, commonly known as heat exhaustion, is something that all dog owners should watch for as outside temperatures rise.
Discover four tips that you can use to help your canine companion safely enjoy the summer months.
1. Limit Time Spent Outdoors
One of the easiest ways to protect your dog against heat exhaustion is to limit the amount of time he or she spends outdoors at any given time.
Too many pet owners think that heat exhaustion and other heat-related illnesses take a lot of time to strike. However, a dog's baseline body temperature only has to increase by
two to five degrees for them to be at risk of developing heat exhaustion.
Try to walk or exercise your dog in the morning or evening when temperatures are coolest. If you do need to be outdoors during the hottest part of the day, bring plenty of water for your pup to drink and stay close to shaded areas where your dog can rest and cool down.
2. Keep Your Home Cool
A lot of homeowners will raise the temperature setting on the AC while they are away to help reduce energy costs. If you have a dog that stays inside the home during the day, this practice could be dangerous.
Your dog needs a steady and comfortable temperature in order to remain healthy. Turning off your air conditioner could cause the temperature inside your home to become dangerously high.
Keep your home between
75 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer months to avoid any type of heat exhaustion from affecting your dog. You may need to keep your home even cooler if you have a dog with a thick coat, unique medical needs, or difficulty breathing.
3. Know How to Treat Heat Exposure
You must be prepared to take immediate action if your dog does begin to exhibit signs of heat exhaustion. Some of the warning signs you want to look for include excessive panting, lethargy, vomiting or diarrhea, discolored gums, and drooling.
Immediately carry your dog to a cool location if you suspect he or she has become overheated. You want to bring your pet's body temperature back down to normal slowly by soaking him or her in cool water and placing the dog in front of a fan to dry.
Using very cold or ice water to help cool your pet can be counterproductive. Water that is too cold will cause the blood vessels near the surface of the skin to constrict. This limits heat dissipation and can prevent your dog from cooling.
4. Seek Immediate Medical Attention
Heat exposure can trigger a wide range of problems for your dog. Anytime your dog becomes overheated, he or she could experience severe dehydration or organ failure. A trip to your veterinarian is always a good idea when your dog has been exposed to the heat.
Even though your dog may appear to be recovering normally, monitor him or her for shock and other possible heat-related complications.
Some of the treatments that your vet will be able to provide to help minimize the negative effects of heat exposure include oxygen supplementation and fluid replenishment.
Contact the Pet Medical Center of Vero Beach to learn more about protecting your pooch from the heat.
