Sun Safety for your Dog

Too much exercise or play on hot summer days or sitting in a parked car can affect the cooling ability of your dog. Unlike people, dogs do not sweat. Their primary means of heat dissipation is through panting and the pads of their feet. Panting allows the dog to move large volumes of heated air away from the body core to the outside. The dogs wet tongue produces an evaporating effect that helps cool the blood and regulate the dog’s body temperature.

But soaring heat and humidity means that water cannot evaporate very well. The dog must pant faster and faster and soon cannot cope. Heat stress and heatstroke will follow. When a dog overheats, the body temperature goes from the normal 101 degrees to 105 degrees. At 105 degrees, the dog cannot get enough oxygen to its tissues and brain damage occurs. Above 108 degrees, the cells of the kidney, liver and GI tract die and death of the pet will soon follow.

Recognizing the symptoms of heat stroke or heat distress is relatively easy. Rapid breathing, rapid heart rate, thick, drooling saliva, a dry nose and mouth and a curled tongue. The dogs gums may be grayish-pink or brick red instead of a normal pink color. Advanced heatstroke symptoms include seizures, staggering and losing control of bowels or urine.

Dogs at greatest risk for heat problems:

· Black coats absorb more heat the dog with light coats

· Overweight dogs suffer from reduced breathing capability and not being able to pant properly to keep cool

· Dogs with short noses/muzzles are less effective at passing air through the upper airways so panting doe not work as well

· Double coated dogs retain more heat

· Very old or very young dogs do not regulate body temperatures as well

If you suspect your dog is over heated or suffering from heat distress, follow these steps:

· Stop the Heat: Move dog to a cooler area, either shade or air-conditioning, put a fan on the dog. Wrap a wet towel or shirt around the dog at the base of the neck.

· Cool Down: Soak the dog in a COOL tub/pool of water or use a garden hose to begin the cooling down process

· Re-hydrate: Offer your dog a small bowel of cool water or offer him ice cubes. Electrolyte drinks made just for dogs are good to keep on hand.

· Visit your Vet: Heatstroke can cause kidney, liver and brain damage. Your pet may need to have further treatment and be monitored.

Do Not

· Give your dog ice water-this may “shock” his system and will only make matters worse.

· Give large amounts of water to drink-your dog will just throw it back up

· Use alcohol-alcohol will just dry out the dog causing the moisture the dog needs to cool down to evaporate even faster