Preventing Pet Heat Injuries
My-Dog.info > Dog Health
by Sarah K. Crisp and Capt. Thomas A. Kohler Fort Gordon,
Ga., Veterinary Treatment Facility
Pets are at a great risk of suffering heat injuries because
they cannot tell us what is wrong.
The first five symptoms of heat exhaustion in humans are
profuse sweating with pale, moist, cool skin; headache; weakness;
dizziness; and loss of appetite.
Figuring out Fido's heat-injury symptoms may be a bit harder.
Dogs and cats pant rather than sweat to cool themselves. However,
panting is a less efficient way for the body to reduce its
temperature. Therefore, the onset of a heat-related injury might
come on more quickly for a pet than a human.
Signs your pet is having a heat injury include:
- A bright red tongue
- Thick, sticky saliva
- Rapid panting
- Weakness, dizziness, vomiting, diarrhea and shock
If your dog is experiencing a heat injury, you can lower its
temperature by hosing it off with a garden hose or placing it in
a sink/tub of cold water. Move the animal to a cool environment
after wetting it down.
Contact your veterinarian to seek additional guidance.
Some good advice includes:
- Animals fenced outside for periods longer than two hours
should have shelter such as a doghouse.
- Regardless of whether there is protection from weather,
animals should not be maintained outside in weather that
is extremely hot or cold for the local climate.
- Offer animals plenty of fresh, cool water and keep them
indoors as much as possible during hot summer days.
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