Given the recent extreme heat we’ve been seeing across Maryland, I felt like it might be a good idea to spend some time reminding pet owners of some hot-weather tips for their furry companions.
One of my biggest concerns during these warm summer months is heatstroke. Early indicators that your pet might be overheating include excessive and heavy panting, drooling, very red mucous membranes and restlessness. If you observe any of these signs, it’s time to get your pet inside into a cooler climate and to seek veterinary care for intervention.
It might come as a surprise, but if you think your pet is developing heatstroke, one of the most important things to avoid is the use of ice cold water or ice packs to cool your pet. Instead, using cool or room-temperature water is recommended. The use of ice-cold water causes your pet’s blood vessels to constrict, which will prevent them from cooling down.
To help prevent heatstroke, be mindful of your pet’s whereabouts when temperatures start to climb. Keep them inside or in a cool, shaded area whenever possible, and as always, allow them free access to water to help prevent dehydration. Dehydrated pets might have increased skin tenting, sunken eyes and tacky gums.
There are some factors that can make a dog more susceptible to heatstroke, and the biggest one that comes to mind is conformation, or the dog’s shape and structure. The brachycephalic or flat-faced breeds carry a much higher risk of heatstroke due to the abnormal airways seen in these dogs, so owners of these breeds should use excessive caution when things start to heat up.
Another extreme-heat consideration is pavement temperature. Pavement tends to get much hotter than air temperature and can result in burned paw pads — ouch! So you should be mindful of where you walk your pets when temperatures are ramping up.
Finally, and although this might seem obvious, we still see instances of pets overheating when they’ve been left in a car, even for a short period of time. In the summer heat, the interior of a car can climb quickly to dangerous levels that can result in heatstroke and even death. It’s important that animals (and children) are never left in a vehicle on a hot summer day.
Ask The Vet is a weekly series by Dr. Devon B. Smith, a Baltimore veterinarian who is an associate at Madonna Veterinary Clinic in White Hall. Send your pet questions or photos via the forms below.
