Here's a good question as we battle through the early Dog Days of Summer. Well, the heat is definitely important, but if you're a dog it's the humidity that makes the biggest difference. Remember that a dog's most effective means of cooling down is through evaporative cooling from the lungs during panting. When the humidity increases this system becomes more inefficient. A combination of high temperatures and high humidity can quickly induce hyperhtermia, or heat stroke, in a dog. While young, active dogs can be most susceptible to heat stroke due to their enjoyment of play, older dogs who have chronic airway changes can also easily overheat. Even moderate temperatures on super muggy days can be dangerous.
What do you do when you suspect your dog is overheating? Get him wet as soon as possible and inside where it's air conditioned. Then have a veterinarian check him out soon. If the body temperature doesn't begin to return to normal within 20 minutes or so it can spiral out of control. This can lead to life threatening multiple organ failure. Prevention of heat stroke is much easier than treatment.
So keep an eye on the weather. Don't let your silly puppy get too crazy. And be smart with older dogs.
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Mario, the lab, agrees with this! His dad (me) is not so smart and almost killed him. Thanks to Steve and the Holly Tree crew, Mario is still alive and doin' great except for his knee that he hurt recently chasing a deer.
ReplyDeleteThanks Steve for helping us with that one too. By the way, he still wears that silly NC State Wolf on his collar.