Pets and Hot Weather
By Jennifer Serda
Anchor
Published: July 1, 2009
Summer is here and I don’t think my dog, Mo, likes it! Mo is adamant about not going outside unless completely necessary and I don’t blame him with the recent triple digit temperatures we have had.
As soon as we get outside, not 5 minutes later, he is panting like we have been running laps around Lake Bottom Park! So I have to keep a water container with us at all times!
It’s quite a hassle but I would rather carry a water container then him pass out from a heat stroke. I joke but heat strokes are a possibility with pets. According to PetPlace.com these are the signs to watch out for:
• Noisy breathing that may indicate upper airway obstruction
• Excessive panting
• Bright red mucous membranes (gums, conjunctiva of the eyes)
• Weakness
• Collapse
• Coma
• Altered mentation
• Petechiae (pinpoint hemorrhages on the gums and/or skin)
To read more check out the PetPlace.com website.
The Humane Society of the United States has a great news package about how to cool your dog down as soon as you spot those symptoms. I would advise all dog owners to give it a glace. To see it just check out the Humane Society of the United States website.
