Purr-fect Pet Health Tips

Parked cars are potential death traps for pets during the warm months. Even on a mild, sunny day the temperature inside a car can quickly climb to more than 120 F. Never leave your pet alone in a parked car.

If your pet spends most of his time outdoors, make sure there is adequate shelter for protection from the mid-day sun and heat. Outdoor kennels should be well-ventilated and in a shaded area. There should always be some shade for the pet to get out of the sun. Also, make sure there is plenty of fresh drinking water available to your pet. The bowl should be placed in a shaded area where it cannot be heated by the sun. Provide a few bowls in case your pet tips one over.

Exercise is important, but overexertion during hot weather commonly causes heat stress. Avoid excessive exercise during hot days, keep activity to cooler times of day and keep your pet well-groomed. Watch for hair mats, which can retain heat for your animal. The so-called "winter breeds" need to have a healthy undercoat to keep them warm and cool as their hollow hair shafts work both as a source of heat and cooling to their bodies. 

The warning signs of heatstroke include panting, staring or anxious expressions, a refusal to obey commands, warm and dry skin, high fever, rapid heartbeat, and possibly vomiting. If your pet shows these signs, lower the body temperature quickly with cool water, either by immersion or by spraying thoroughly with a garden hose. But be careful not to overcool your pet, and never use ice. Call your veterinarian immediately.

Heatstroke is a life-threatening condition that results when pets cannot adequately rid themselves of excess body heat. Pets rely on panting to cool them down as they have no sweat gland like a human being. The dog and cat have glands in the paws, the ears and the rectum, which is a talk about allergies at a later date. Although panting is a very efficient way to control body heat, it is severely limited in areas high humidity or low ventilation. The intake of cool, fresh water improves the cooling effects of panting.

Dogs with pug noses are more likely to develop heatstroke because their small nasal passages make it difficult to circulate sufficient air for cooling. These breeds include the Bulldog, Pug, Boston Terrier, Mastiff, and Persian type cats. Overweight dogs, whose extra layers of fat act as insulation, are also prone to overheating. Age can also be a factor in an animal's tendency to overheat. Very young pets and elderly pets are likely to develop heatstroke. Cats are generally better at regulating their body temperatures, but without appropriate shelter and water, they too can overheat.

Remember to take precautions with your pets as well as yourself in these hot dog days of summer.

© Copyright 2008 Dr. Karen Hinkle, D.V.M.