One of your puppy dogs’ worst enemy can be the hot summer heat. Even tho the summer is a time to relax, play, travel and other fun activities, there are many instances when dog owners do not realize that their favorite friend may be in jeopardy. Here are a few common situations, and what to look out for:
- AntiFreeze – During summer months, most automotive air conditioners go into overdrive. Older, leaky cooling units pose a big threat to our friends. If ingested, antifreeze in most cases, can be deadly. This commonly green fluid, in many instances, leaks from the coolant system of many vehicles, and is found in the drainage and ditches of many town and city streets. Because of it’s ’sweet’ taste, many pets die every year from drinking antifreeze. Poisoning from antifreeze is considered a medical emergency, and needs to treated by a qualified vet IMMEDIATELY. Thankfully, there are less toxic forms of antifreeze on today’s market, including one from the Sierra company. Do a ‘Google’ search to find out more.
- Heatstroke and/or Heat Exhaustion – Heat exhaustion is often caused by over-exercising or being left in a parked car during the hot summer months. Both heatstroke and heat exhaustion can result in brain damage, heart failure or even death in a short period of time. Always bring cool water along when walking, running or hiking with your dog during hot weather. To cool off an overheated dog, give him plenty of drinking water, then wet the dog’s body and paws with cool water, then fan. A dog’s normal internal body temperature is around 100.5 degrees fahrenheit. If the dog experiences heatstroke or heat exhaustion, he should be taken to a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Remember, our friends trust in you that you will make sure they will be safe. I sure hope you do too!
