Summer can be a nightmare for dog owners, with bee stings and bug bites, shore hazards and heatstroke and losing a canine member of the family to an avoidable case of heatstroke is an event so devastating that many dog owners never forgive themselves for. Dogs need constant hydration, just as people do, but they also can't take direct sunlight. What feels to us like 90 degrees might feel like 150 to them. You have sweat glands all over your body, but your dog's are confined to his nose and the pads of his feet. If a dog cannot effectively expel heat, the internal body temperature begins to rise. Once the dog's temperature reaches 106°, damage to the body's cellular system and organs may become irreversible.
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Dogs Prone to Heat Stroke
All dogs are susceptible to heatstroke. Active breeds like Labrador Retrievers will exert energy the entire time they are outside regardless of how hot the weather is. This puts them at more of a risk. Dogs with shorter snouts (like Shih Tzus, Pugs or Bulldogs) have a harder time panting out their body heat, so may be more susceptible to heat strokes too. Dogs with thicker fur are also at a higher risk: These breeds, along with the elderly, the overweight, and those with heart or lung diseases, should be kept cool in air-conditioned rooms as much as possible.
If your dog falls into any of these categories, it is crucial that you keep your pet as cool as possible in the heat.
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Recognize Signs of Heat Stroke in Your Dog
As there is often a progression from mild heat stress to the heat exhaustion before reaching the most severe condition of heat stroke, everybody should know and keep an eye out for the "early warning signs." Get yourself ready to take appropriate steps before the situation progresses to a potentially deadly case.
Dogs suffering from heat stroke will normally exhibit some or all of the following symptoms:
• Restlessness
• Panting
• Increased respiratory rate
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
As the symptoms progress and the dog's body temperature increases, signs become even more serious.
• Weakness
• Staggering
• Increased heart rate
• Gasping
• Gum color may become brick red, then purple or blue
• Seizures
• Coma
• Blood Diarrhea
Once you notice these signs in your dog, begin treatment immediately. Even if you are not one hundred percent positive your dog had a heat stroke, it is better to be safe than sorry.
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Ways to Protect Your Dog from Heatstroke:
1. Give your dog access to shade and drink.
Avoid walking your dog on hot pavement and never leave them in the car on a warm day. As temperatures rise, your dog will be much more comfortable at home. Your dog counts on you to use caution and good judgment when taking him out for exercise and play on hot days. Always avoid the hotter times of the day. This warning has become a cliche by now, but many pet owners still ignore it.
Multiple studies have shown how rapidly the temperature can rise in a parked car, even with the windows "cracked" and even on relatively mild days. Therefore, it is imperative to never leave your dog in the car during hot weather.
2. Groom dogs appropriately for the season.
While dog fur serves as great protection during the winter, it can be fatal in the heat of sizzling summer. Dogs with particularly long and thick fur may need to be shaved or trimmed during the hottest part of the summer. A professional groomer will likely know the best approach for providing a weather-appropriate style for your dog.
3. They also can cool down by swimming in water. If you notice your dog excessively panting when it is hot, you should move your dog indoors to a cool spot immediately and provide water. This time of year is always tough on pets—especially for the super-playful ones who prefer to persist in their dog day frolics despite the few extra degrees. Left to their own devices, they would play the day away, risking heatstroke, sunburn and dehydration, among other hot weather hazards. I have come across a few new products designed specifically with hot weather safety in mind.
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Thinking you might enjoy knowing what is new as much as I do, I am sharing these products below:
PETKIT CPZY Cool+Warm Smart Pet House
In the hot summer, your pet need a more healthy sleeping place and get rid of the boring hot weather. The smart pet house can be played temperature and humidity sensors to monitor the device and ambient temperature all the time accurately, and automatically set the adjustable temperature. You can just control the smart house through your smartphone.
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The Green Pet Shop Cooling Pet Mat: Desperate heat calls for desperate measures, and this mat was made for those hot August days. This seems to be the category du jour for hot weather products.
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PETKIT EVERSWEET Dog Water Bottle: EVERSWEET Travel meets the dechlorination requirements of Standard 42 in NSF/ANSI. Its material is 100% extraction from coconut peelings, which removes the unpleasant odors and the chlorinate residues, absorbs foreign substance and improves the flavor. During your travel, it can supply sufficient clean water to keep your dog energetic.
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Dog Popsicle: Help your dog cool down on hot days with tasty doggie popsicles. They are not only simple, but easy on the wallet as well.
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MOSUO Dog Life Vest & Swimsuits: The design molds to fit the contours of your dog's body for a snug fit that is adjustable—providing mobility while increasing buoyancy. The durable rescue handle makes it easy to help dogs out of the water in the event of an emergency.
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Our dog is depending on you to help keep it safe, so it is your responsibility to take care of your pet that you welcomed into your family. Make sure that you are able to take measures to prevent heat stroke, recognize the symptoms, and understand how to best treat your dog in the midst of a heat stroke.
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via reddit https://www.reddit.com/r/DOG/comments/9owgi3/how_to_avoid_a_dog_from_heatstroke_in_hot_summer/?utm_source=ifttt
