If you’re like many dog owners, you probably enjoy outdoor activities with your pup in the summertime. Most dogs love long walks, trips to the park and games of fetch on sunny days. Or perhaps your dog likes to sunbathe in the backyard while you’re at work, or accompany you in the car when you run errands.
Although there’s nothing wrong with outdoor fun, it’s important to be aware of the risks. Just like humans, dogs can suffer from heat exhaustion or heat stroke—and the consequences can be deadly.
To help keep your best friend safe, make sure you know what to watch for. Dogs can’t tell us when they’re getting overheated, so keep a close eye on your pup for these warning signs:
- Excessive panting that does not resolve within a few minutes of stopping exercise
- Bright red or blue/purple gums
- Thick, foamy saliva (often a sign of dehydration)
- Staggering, stumbling or falling down
- Vomiting or bloody diarrhea
- Mental confusion, acting disoriented or having seizures
If you’re concerned that your dog may be suffering from heat exhaustion or heat stroke, immediately move him to a cooler area and get him to a veterinarian as soon as possible. You can help bring his temperature down by pouring tepid water over his body and putting him in front of a fan.
It’s important to seek veterinary care promptly because heat stroke can have fatal consequences even after the body temperature has returned to normal. Affected dogs can develop a life-threatening bleeding disorder called disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) as a result of heat-related damage to the body’s tissues, which may take several hours after the initial heat stroke to be evident.
You can help reduce your dog’s risk of heat stroke by following these simple guidelines:
- Plan outdoor activities such as walks and games of fetch for the coolest parts of the day, usually first thing in the morning or late in the evening just before dark.
- If your dog stays outside, make sure that he has plenty of shade and access to fresh water at all times.
- In the summer, NEVER leave your dog alone in an enclosed vehicle—it only takes a few minutes on a sunny day for temperatures to reach dangerous levels.
Brachycephalic breeds (“short-nosed” dogs such as Pugs, Shih-Tzus and English Bulldogs) are at an increased risk of heat stroke because they cannot dissipate heat through panting as effectively as dogs with longer noses. So if you have a brachycephalic pup, take extra care! These dogs should never be exercised outdoors when it’s hot or humid.