#Middlebury #Heatstroke
DEAR PAW’S CORNER: I never keep my dog, Alfie, in the car, even on cool days. Last Sunday, I took Alfie to the park to get some exercise. It was hot, and after a short while Alfie came back to me, panting heavily. He was still panting on the drive home and seemed lethargic, so I called his veterinarian, who said to take him to the emergency vet immediately. There, he was diagnosed with heatstroke! They treated him and he’s doing much better, but I was shocked at how quickly Alfie developed a heat injury from being outside. Please warn your readers that dogs are very vulnerable to summer heat. – Chris in Portland, Oregon
DEAR CHRIS: You are so right! I’m glad Alfie is doing well and that tragedy was averted by your instinct to contact the vet.
Just like humans, dogs need to acclimate to their environment. Sudden weather extremes like excessive heat or freezing cold are very difficult to adjust to. Dogs have far fewer sweat glands than humans; they manage their body temperature in other ways, such as panting when it’s hot. So if we’re feeling the heat, dogs are feeling it even more!
It’s important to watch for signs of heat injury, especially when outdoors. Excessive panting is a key sign, as is lethargy and excessive drooling. Other symptoms include reddened gums, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of coordination and collapse. Immediate treatment is needed to prevent serious injury or death.
Keep plenty of cool water on hand for your dog to drink, both indoors and out. Never leave them in the car, even for a minute. At home, keep the air moving with fans, and cool down the environment with an air conditioner.
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