West Hollywood, California (Saturday, July 17, 2010) - Horses sweat, men perspire, ladies dew and dogs…pant. 
Certain types of animals are more prone than others; dogs with flat faces like Pugs or Boston Terriers, dogs with heavy coats, older animals, obese dogs and cats are especially susceptible to heat. WeHo News. |
You see, unlike humans and horses, smaller animals do not sweat. Instead, they lose heat through their tongues, nose and pads of their feet.
Therefore, during the summer months they are susceptible to heatstroke from overheating.
Certain types of animals are more prone than others; dogs with flat faces like Pugs or Boston Terriers, dogs with heavy coats, older animals, obese dogs and cats are especially susceptible to heat.
Even rabbits and guinea pigs are at an greater risk for overheating during the summer months.
Below is a TOP TEN LIST of safety tips to keep your pet safe and cool this summer.
(1) Always provide plenty of fresh water and make sure that if the water bowl is outside it is safely secured so it doesn’t get tipped over and is in the shade.
(2) Pets can get sunburned, especially if they are white, so make sure they have plenty of shade outside.
Pets can get sunburned, especially if they are white, so make sure they have plenty of shade outside. Photo by WeHo News. |
(3) Apply a mix of equal parts of SPF 15 sun block and petroleum jelly to pets with pink noses before they go outside.
(4) Dog’s pads burn easily so avoid hot surfaces like blacktop during the hottest part of the day.
(5) Before starting your walk, give the sidewalk a test with the palm of your hand. If it is too hot to touch then it can burn your dog’s footpads, and avoid this surface.
(6) To avoid overheating, exercise your pets either early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Avoid exercising your pets between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. because this is the hottest time of the day.
(7) Fleas, mosquitoes and ticks love the summer so make sure to protect your pet from these summer pests with safe products like Sentinel, Advantix, Frontline, or Revolution.
(8) Watch for signs of heatstroke such as excessive panting, red gums, dry to the touch gums, or disorientation. If you suspect heatstroke take your pet to the vet immediately.
Dog’s pads burn easily so avoid hot surfaces like blacktop during the hottest part of the day. Photo by WeHo News. |
(9) To cool down a pet that is overheating apply cool (not ice cold which can cause shock) water to their coat and pads and take them to the vet right away.
(10) Avoid taking your pet in the car during the summer months and NEVER leave a pet in a parked car!! Even with the windows down, it only takes a few minutes for the temperatures to rise in excess of 150 degrees,
which can cause stroke, brain damage or death in small animals.
Your bonus tip of the Summer – if your dog’s bowel movements become urgent, are soft and covered in a mucus, it may be suffering from the heat.
Visit your vet for a diagnosis, though, as the symptoms can also be caused by a common parasite.
Dr. Karen Halligan is currently the Director of Veterinary Services at the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Los Angeles (spcaLA), where she oversees the health and well-being of all the shelter animals. Dr. Halligan is also the author of the book, Doc Halligan's What Every Pet Owner Should Know: Prescriptions for Happy, Healthy Cats and Dogs (HarperCollins, 2007).
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