As warmer summertime temperatures approach, it’s important to remember that dogs are vulnerable to injuries and illnesses related to hot weather, including heat exhaustion, heatstroke, sunburn, and foot pad burns.
The most dangerous being heatstroke, which can cause organ failure, seizures, brain damage, blindness, convulsions and even death!! And here in Florida it’s important to remember that it’s not just the ambient temperature, but also the humidity that can affect your dog. Dogs pant to evaporate moisture from their lungs, which takes heat away from their body. If the humidity is too high, they are unable to cool themselves, and their temperature will skyrocket to dangerous levels—very quickly.
Heat exhaustion is the early stages when a dog begins to overheat. You can often remedy this by taking immediate action to reduce his/her body temperature to help prevent the more deadly heatstroke. Heat ex-
haustion symptoms can include diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, rapid panting, and the skin inside the ears reddening. Get your dog inside quickly to a cool area and offer fresh water. Dampen the skin with lukewarm water and allow it to air-dry.
Heatstroke occurs when the dog’s normal body mechanisms cannot keep body temperature in a safe range. Dogs don’t have the ability to sweat, and panting can’t fully cool a dog down when they’re overheated. A dog’s normal body temperature is 100-102.5 degrees, a body temp over 106 degrees is deadly, so if this is the case make an immediate call to your vet!! Signs of heatstroke include rapid panting, a bright red tongue, red or pale gums, and thick, sticky saliva. The dog may also show signs of depression, weakness and dizziness, vomiting – sometimes with blood, diarrhea, shock and coma.
Here Are Some Hot Weather Tips to Help Prevent Any of the Above
*When walking your dog, either do it in the early morning or evening hours. Dogs’ bodies are closer to the ground than ours, so they heat-up a lot faster than we do.
*Careful of the feet!! Remember your dog doesn’t wear shoes, so their pads can be burned walking across hot sand or asphalt. Check the pavement or sand for heat before walking your dog. Place your hand or bare foot on the surface for 10 seconds, if it’s too hot for you, then it’s too hot for your dog!!
*Never ever leave your dog in a parked vehicle, not even for a minute!! On a warm day, temperatures inside a vehicle can rise rapidly. On an 85-degree day, for example, the temperature inside a car with windows opened slightly can reach 102 degrees within 10 minutes. After 30 minutes, the temperature will reach 120 degrees. Your Wheaten may suffer irreversible organ damage or DIE.
*Don’t swap your Wheaten’s beautiful, wavy coat for a summertime buzz cut, a healthy coat acts as a built-in sunscreen. A close clip actually paves the way for doggie sunburn and skin problems. A shorter cut with no skin showing is fine, and will still give him/her the insulating properties that protect them from the heat.
Here’s a Few Ways to Keep Your Wheaten Cool in the Summer
1.) If your Wheaten likes water, get a baby pool for him/her to splash around in. This is also a good way to cool their paws. Dogs sweat through their pads, so a great way to cool them down quickly is to get their feet wet.
2.) Make frozen treats. Darcy has given us many good frozen treat recipes in the past, a couple include Doggie Pupsicles and Frozen Yogurt Peanut Butter Dog Treats, and in this newsletter she’s given us another wonderful frozen treat recipe!! For something simple, you can make some beef or chicken broth & freeze in ice cube trays.
3.) Freeze some of your dog’s toys. Yes, you read that right! Put a couple of them in a bowl filled with water (if you like, add some low-sodium chicken broth for added flavor) and freeze! Your Wheatie will love licking his/her way to their toy in this mentally stimulating game. You can also purchase Chilly Bones at your nearest pet store, they’re made of reusable vanilla-flavored canvas that holds the cold. You simply wet them and toss in freezer.
4.) Get a cooling pad. There are some really great ones on the market. They’re all a little different, so do your research. I have one you fill with water. Some are weight or pressure activated. These innovative comfort cooling gel pet pads will keep your Wheaten cool and comfortable during warm, sweltering days!!
REMEMBER TOO… THAT HOT WEATHER ESPECIALLY PLAGUES PUPPIES AND OLDER DOGS