Warmer weather during Summer months can encourage us to spend more time outdoors with our dogs. Whether you are out for a walk, playing at the dog park, going on a hike or simply hanging out in the back yard, quality time with our four-legged friends is priceless.
But, it’s important to be aware of the signs that our pups are getting overheated. Dr. Judy Morgan (a nationally renowned author and veterinarian certified in acupuncture, food therapy, and chiropractic care for dogs, cats, and horses) created an excellent video on the signs of heatstroke, how to respond if you are concerned your pet is overheating, and next steps to follow up with your veterinarian.
In her video, she shares what symptoms to be on the lookout for, including:
- Lagging on walks
- Panting heavily
- Pronounced tongue looking darker red then usual
- Redness in eyes
- Noisier breathing
If you believe your pet is overheating there are some great recommendations in Dr. Judy’s video about how to immediately respond:
- Get to a shady spot and have them lie down
- Apply rubbing alcohol to their foot pads, the inside of their ears or inside of their groin area
- Apply lukewarm to slightly cool water to their head, body, groin or legs. Never apply ice as the sudden cold will shut down circulation
- Wrap them in moist towels
It is critical to act quickly, as overheating is a serious matter and can lead to some major complications.
Lastly, once you have taken some preliminary measures to help your pet cool down, Dr. Judy recommends that you take your pet to your veterinarian as soon as possible. Your vet can use IV fluids, perform lab work and monitor your pets vitals to manage their recovery.
We highly recommend you take the time to watch Dr. Judy’s video, Signs of Heatstroke in Dogs and What to Do, so that you are prepared should you find yourself in the situation where your pup has become overheated!