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style="float:none; /*width:635px;*/">12 Signs of Overheating in Your Pet

 

As temperatures begin to rise throughout the United States, here is a great article to remind us that we need to be on the lookout for the 12 signs of overheating in our pets, especially dogs!

Sunday, June 21st is the first day of summer this year, and after a particularly long cold winter in many parts of the US, I know we’re all looking forward to sunshine, warmer temperatures, and getting outdoors. As enjoyable as this time of year is though, it’s important to play it safe when it comes to fun in the sun for furry family members. Our dogs have a higher body temp than we do, and less ability to cool down. Humans are covered with sweat glands, but a dog’s are confined to her nose and the pads of her feet. An overheating dog can only regulate her body temperature through panting, which isn’t terribly efficient in hot weather. In a very short period of time, an overheated dog can suffer critical damage to her brain, heart, liver and nervous system.

Heatstroke — the ultimate and often deadly result of overheating — is caused by a dangerous elevation in an animal’s body temperature. While it most often occurs in dogs left in cars during the summer months, it can also happen in late spring and the first weeks of summer if a pet is exposed to high temperatures before he or she has acclimated to the heat. Symptoms of overheating include: Heavy panting or rapid breathing Elevated body temperature Excessive thirst Weakness, collapse Glazed eyes Increased pulse and heartbeat Vomiting, bloody diarrhea Seizures Bright or dark red tongue, gums Excessive drooling Staggering, stumbling Unconsciousness In addition to hot vehicles, other contributors to pet overheating include humid conditions, lack of drinking water, obesity, and overexertion. Some pets are at higher risk for heat-related illness than others, including brachycephalic breeds (dogs and cats with flat faces and short noses), older pets, puppies and kittens, animals that are ill or have a chronic health condition, pets not used to warm weather, and any pet left outside in hot weather.

 

 

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