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As many of us are taking advantage of the nice weather, I thought it would be a good time to talk about keeping our pets safe from the summer heat. Although it is easy for us to determine when we need to get out of the sun, it can be difficult to monitor our pets for signs of being overheated. Our pet’s internal body temperature can be elevated for several reasons, one common reason being when our pet is sick with an infection, which results in fever. If the pet’s internal temperature is elevated due to the heat of the environment around us, it is commonly referred to as heat stroke, or hyperthermia. The normal body temperature in a dog is approximately 101.5 degrees Fahrenheit, but if they are not carefully monitored throughout the summer, their body temperature can reach to extreme highs, like 105 degrees Fahrenheit, which is a true emergency. You are probably aware that all animals should be provided with adequate shade when left outside during these hot summer days. Other situations to look out for are leaving dogs in inadequately ventilated cars. Interior car temperatures can rise significantly higher than the outside temperature, so leaving your dog inside a car even on a relatively cool day can be problematic. Just like us, it is important to choose the times of day to exercise your pet, with the early morning and late evening being the most preferable due to the relatively cooler temperatures. Some other factors that contribute to hyperthermia that are not as commonly known include obesity and diseases that affect the pet’s ability to breathe adequately. Remember that dogs regulate their body temperature by panting, so if they already have problems breathing adequately, then they probably cannot regulate their body temperature adequately. This is an important factor to consider in brachycephalic (short-nosed) breeds, like pugs, bulldogs, Boston terriers, etc., who may already have a problem maintaining a patent airway. Signs to watch out for include excessive panting and restlessness. If the condition is not alleviated, the pet may begin to drool, and the gums may change colors, to blue or red, because the animal is not able to oxygenate their body adequately. What to do: · Take your pet out of the offensive environment, and put into a cooler area, like the shade or inside the house. Direct a fan onto your pet as well. · If possible, determine the initial rectal temperature. · Begin cooling the animal by placing wet towels over the back of the neck, and areas that have less fur, like the abdomen. Wet the ears and paws with COOL water. It is important to avoid excessively cold water, even though this is tempting, because this will actually shrink the superficial blood vessels in the skin, and delay lowering the internal body temperature. · Offer fresh cool water, but DO NOT force water into your pet’s mouth. This could cause them to aspirate and choke. · Seek veterinary attention immediately. Unfortunately, hyperthermia is a condition that affects all body systems, and lowering the animal’s actual internal body temperature is only the initial step in caring for them. It is important to get to a veterinarian as soon as possible to curtail the severe organ damage that could occur. |