Weíve endured several month of unusually hot and dry weather this year, and we have all sorts of ways to keep cool. A visit to the swimming pool, more fans running in our homes or even a quick trip to the mountains works well. But what about our pet friends? With several more weeks of hot weather ahead, what can we do to help them keep their cool?The owner was frantic. Her little Cairn terrier, Snickers, couldnít move and was panting as if he couldnít catch his breath. Rushing him to the nearest veterinary clinic, she unexpectedly found that a doctor was not on duty. She was worried sick, she had let him outside on an August day and an hour later found him lying in the grass, unable to get up. The veterinary technician on duty took Snickersí temperature and the owner heard the concern in his voice as he told her the temperature was over 106 degrees. Snickers was quickly soaked with cool water, then immediately sent to the emergency hospital in a well-air-conditioned car.Luckily for Snickers, he recovered without any further harm. Snickers owes a lot to his owner, who got him out of the hot sun and to the quick-thinking veterinary team that saved his life ñ this could have quickly been fatal.Every summer, many hundreds of dogs find themselves in serious trouble after spending even a few hours in the direct hot sun with little or no shade. The problem is dogs donít sweat like we do. They can only cool themselves by panting. It doesnít take much to overwhelm this natural cooling system, and that leads to heat stroke, brain damage and death much faster than you think. With more families away from home all day, our dogs are often left outdoors without day-long shade, cool places to lie and water to drink.Normally, a dogís temperature ranges from 100 degrees Fahrenheit to about 102.5. In cases of heat stroke, temperatures over 106 degrees are considered a medical emergency and temperatures over 110 degrees can be fatal in a matter of minutes. This level of hyperthermia (higher than normal body temperature) can affect every major body system.Dogs who succumb to heat stroke often show the following symptoms:
- Vigorous panting
- Inability to stand, or weakness while standing
- Thick, ropy saliva, literally foaming at the mouth
- Bright red mucous membranes, although some dogs may show pale or even muddy gums.
Heat stroke can affect any dog, although dogs with short faces, like Boston Terriers, Pugs, and Bulldogs may be at higher risk due to their inability to effectively pant and cool themselves. Many people believe their pet will be fine because ìhe has always been outside.î However, in our intense sun, a lack of shade and water can affect even the most seasoned outdoor dog.Interestingly, heat stroke in cats is rare. Most animal experts believe that cats are experts at finding the coolest spots, and they also avoid the excessive excitement that many dogs seem to thrive on. However, I have seen heat stroke in cats and it is just as dangerous.If you find your dog vigorously panting on one of our hot summer afternoons, immediately move the pet out of the sun and into a cooler place. Using cool, not cold, tap water on the extremities and trunk can help to effectively lower the body temperature. Rubbing alcohol placed on the skin of the stomach can help as well. Do not use ice or extremely cold water. Although it seems logical, extreme cold will cause surface blood vessels to contract, forming an insulating area that traps heat in the body, delaying the cooling of the vital organs. Then, if you can, take your petís rectal temperature.Donít try to force them to drink. As soon as you can, load your pet into a car and go to the veterinarian. This is a life-threatening medical emergency and under no circumstances should you leave your pet alone for more than the short time it might take to get the car.If you must leave your pets outside in the summer, be sure they have shade throughout the day and lots of water ñ and air-circulation really helps. Put a fan out near the water and in the shade and you can prevent most cases of hyperthermia.Without these life saving steps, many dogs might lose their lives to the ìdog-daysî of summer. But, as Snickers will testify, the quick-thinking owners and veterinary professionals can help to get them back on their feet in no time. A good site for more information on many pet care topics is http://MyVNN.com; and, as always, seek the advice of your veterinarian to keep the summer days cool for you and your pet!
Dr. Jim Humphries is a practicing veterinarian, certified by the American Society of Veterinary Journalists. He lives in Falcon, Colo., with three Great Danes and eight horses.
