Urban Dog Living - Hot Weather and Your Dog

Hot weather and cities go hand in hand.  The sheer amount of concrete in cities can make them 10-15 degrees hotter than surrounding suburbs.  When you take your dog out for a walk or exercise in any heat over 85 degrees you need to be on the lookout for heatstroke.  Symptoms include:

• Rapid, sometimes frantic, excessive panting
• Tongue and mucus membranes are bright pink or red and the saliva is thick and tenacious (drooling does not mean that your dog is hydrated! Check the consistency of the drool!)
• Vomiting and sometimes diarrhea that can be bloody
• Unsteady, staggering gait
• Nose and ears dry and hot to the touch
• Body (rectal) temperature is 104 degrees or higher (normal dog temp is 100-103)

What to do when you see these symptoms:

• Move your dog to the shade
• Drinking cool water alone will not fix the problem! Do not let your dog guzzle large amounts of water at a time.
• Immerse your dog in cool NOT icy cold water. Use a garden hose or bucket to cool the undersides including the groin and arm pits. Use a wet towel or bandana to cool underside if a hose is unavailable
• Pack ice in wet towels and use on underside and head to help cool dog
• Get the dog to a vet! Even after he seems to be cooled down!

Tip for the Day:
 Carry an extra bottle of water for your dog on your walks.  Watch out for exposed areas of concrete that can burn your dog's paws.  Manhole covers will get very hot in direct sun.