Announcements
The Pet Health Community and Pet Health Center are NOT substitutes for a vet visit. Contact a vet in an emergency! | Dog Conditions A-Z | Dog Symptoms A-Z | Cat Conditions A-Z | Cat Symptoms A-Z | Tales From The Pet Clinic blog
Remember Your Beloved Pet
Remember Your Beloved Pet
Protecting Your Pets During Hot Weather
Will Draper, DVM posted:
It's getting hot out there -- REALLY HOT! Warm temperatures are already breaking records where I live in Georgia.
This is a good time of year to remind everyone of some important hot weather tips for pets. Here are 5 of my favorites:
1. Make sure you provide plenty of clean water and shade for both you and your pet.
2. Although exercise is important for your pet, overexertion can lead to overheating. If your pet is panting excessively or seems exhausted, it is time to stop. Elderly, very young or overweight animals have a difficult time regulating their body temperature, so avoiding the hottest part of the day outdoors and keeping them cool by staying indoors is the best strategy for your pet's well-being.
3. Owners of snub-nosed breeds, such as pugs, bulldogs and Pekingese, should keep them out of the heat. They have a difficult time panting efficiently to rid their body of excess heat.
4. Never leave your pet in a car when running errands, even when it seems cool enough outside. The temperature inside the vehicle can quickly rise to 120 degrees or higher, even with the vehicle windows
open. It is best just to leave your furry friend at home, even on slightly warm days.
5. Heatstroke is a medical emergency, and even with emergency treatment, it can be fatal for your pet. The best cure is prevention. Knowing the signs of heatstroke such as panting, staring, rapid heartbeat, vomiting and collapse can help you to act quickly and calmly to get your pet cooled-off and on the way to your veterinarian.
Check out these WebMD links for more hot weather and medical emergency pet care tips:
Emergency Care for Dogs
Emergency Care for Cats
Hot Weather Tips for Your Pet
What do you do to help your pet during hot weather? If you have ever had a pet develop heat stroke, what emergency measures did you take? Share your "stay cool" tips with other pet owners in the community.
This is a good time of year to remind everyone of some important hot weather tips for pets. Here are 5 of my favorites:
1. Make sure you provide plenty of clean water and shade for both you and your pet.
2. Although exercise is important for your pet, overexertion can lead to overheating. If your pet is panting excessively or seems exhausted, it is time to stop. Elderly, very young or overweight animals have a difficult time regulating their body temperature, so avoiding the hottest part of the day outdoors and keeping them cool by staying indoors is the best strategy for your pet's well-being.
3. Owners of snub-nosed breeds, such as pugs, bulldogs and Pekingese, should keep them out of the heat. They have a difficult time panting efficiently to rid their body of excess heat.
4. Never leave your pet in a car when running errands, even when it seems cool enough outside. The temperature inside the vehicle can quickly rise to 120 degrees or higher, even with the vehicle windows
open. It is best just to leave your furry friend at home, even on slightly warm days.
5. Heatstroke is a medical emergency, and even with emergency treatment, it can be fatal for your pet. The best cure is prevention. Knowing the signs of heatstroke such as panting, staring, rapid heartbeat, vomiting and collapse can help you to act quickly and calmly to get your pet cooled-off and on the way to your veterinarian.
Check out these WebMD links for more hot weather and medical emergency pet care tips:
Emergency Care for Dogs
Emergency Care for Cats
Hot Weather Tips for Your Pet
What do you do to help your pet during hot weather? If you have ever had a pet develop heat stroke, what emergency measures did you take? Share your "stay cool" tips with other pet owners in the community.
Dr. Will
5 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Protecting Your Pets During Hot WeatherIt's getting hot out there -- REALLY HOT! Warm temperatures are already breaking records where I live in Georgia. <br /><br />This is a good time of year to remind everyone of some important hot weather tips for pets. Here are 5 of my favorites: <br /><br />1. Make sure you provide plenty of clean water and shade for both you and your pet. <br /><br />2. Although exercise is important for your pet, overexertion can lead to overheating. If your pet is panting excessively or seems exhausted, it is time to stop. Elderly, very young or overweight animals have a difficult time regulating their body temperature, so avoiding the hottest part of the day outdoors and keeping them cool by staying indoors is the best strategy for your pet's well-being.<br /><br />3. Owners of snub-nosed breeds, such as pugs, bulldogs and Pekingese, should keep them out of the heat. They have a difficult time panting efficiently to rid their body of excess heat.<br /><br />4. Never leave your pet in a car when running errands, even when it seems cool enough outside. The temperature inside the vehicle can quickly rise to 120 degrees or higher, even with the vehicle windows<br />open. It is best just to leave your furry friend at home, even on slightly warm days.<br /><br />5. Heatstroke is a medical emergency, and even with emergency treatment, it can be fatal for your pet. The best cure is prevention. Knowing the signs of heatstroke such as panting, staring, rapid heartbeat, vomiting and collapse can help you to act quickly and calmly to get your pet cooled-off and on the way to your veterinarian.<br /><br />Check out these WebMD links for more hot weather and medical emergency pet care tips: <br /><br /><a href="http://pets.webmd.com/community-tv-pet-health-10/default.htm?vid=vd-1130-extv-0011">Emergency Care for Dogs</a> <br /><br /><a href="http://pets.webmd.com/community-tv-pet-health-10/default.htm?vid=vd-1130-extv-0012">Emergency Care for Cats</a> <br /><br /><a href="http://pets.webmd.com/hot-weather-tips-pet%20%20">Hot Weather Tips for Your Pet</a> <br /><br />What do you do to help your pet during hot weather? If you have ever had a pet develop heat stroke, what emergency measures did you take? Share your "stay cool" tips with other pet owners in the community.
Grandmaof03 responded:
I think most importantly, I leave my 10 year old cocker spaniel Bailey home...she loves to go in the car and I take her lots of places....even to the store (like the 7-11 for milk or something) when the weather permits..but once summer comes she has to stay home..
She has a heart murmer my vet says it is a 2 but she loves to chase her balls and squeeky toys and does not care if it is 100 degrees out side...so I put all her toys away and she is allowed out to go to the bathroom then right back inside..she has several water bowls one outside as well they are washed several times a day and filled with fresh water...(she backwashes hahaha)
I am not fortunate enough to have air conditioning all through my house but I have room air and make her stay in the rooms with the air conditioning.
I get her a nice "summer" haircut...my groomer calls it a "beagle" cut...it is short but not all the way shaved off...
So far with all the dogs I have had in my lifetime, I have never had an emergency due to over heating...
I found that most of my dogs would gladly go in the basement where it was cooler to lay on the cement and eventhough I missed them being in the same place in the house as I was...I understood that they knew what was best for them....
I also make sure my dog has her flea and heartworm medication and get her a heartworm test every 2 years...
As always I pray I am doing enough of the right things for Bailey
Colleen
She has a heart murmer my vet says it is a 2 but she loves to chase her balls and squeeky toys and does not care if it is 100 degrees out side...so I put all her toys away and she is allowed out to go to the bathroom then right back inside..she has several water bowls one outside as well they are washed several times a day and filled with fresh water...(she backwashes hahaha)
I am not fortunate enough to have air conditioning all through my house but I have room air and make her stay in the rooms with the air conditioning.
I get her a nice "summer" haircut...my groomer calls it a "beagle" cut...it is short but not all the way shaved off...
So far with all the dogs I have had in my lifetime, I have never had an emergency due to over heating...
I found that most of my dogs would gladly go in the basement where it was cooler to lay on the cement and eventhough I missed them being in the same place in the house as I was...I understood that they knew what was best for them....
I also make sure my dog has her flea and heartworm medication and get her a heartworm test every 2 years...
As always I pray I am doing enough of the right things for Bailey
Colleen
Report This| Share this:Protecting Your Pets During Hot WeatherI think most importantly, I leave my 10 year old cocker spaniel Bailey home...she loves to go in the car and I take her lots of places....even to the store (like the 7-11 for milk or something) when the weather permits..but once summer comes she has to stay home..<br /> <br />She has a heart murmer my vet says it is a 2 but she loves to chase her balls and squeeky toys and does not care if it is 100 degrees out side...so I put all her toys away and she is allowed out to go to the bathroom then right back inside..she has several water bowls one outside as well they are washed several times a day and filled with fresh water...(she backwashes hahaha) <br /> <br />I am not fortunate enough to have air conditioning all through my house but I have room air and make her stay in the rooms with the air conditioning. <br /> <br />I get her a nice "summer" haircut...my groomer calls it a "beagle" cut...it is short but not all the way shaved off...<br /> <br />So far with all the dogs I have had in my lifetime, I have never had an emergency due to over heating...<br /> <br />I found that most of my dogs would gladly go in the basement where it was cooler to lay on the cement and eventhough I missed them being in the same place in the house as I was...I understood that they knew what was best for them....<br /> <br />I also make sure my dog has her flea and heartworm medication and get her a heartworm test every 2 years...<br /> <br />As always I pray I am doing enough of the right things for Bailey<br /> <br />Colleen
Byroney_WebMD_Staff replied to Grandmaof03's response:
Hello again, Colleen (grandmaof03)!
It sounds like you're doing a lot of good things to help keep Bailey cool. I don't have air conditioning anywhere in the house so I close blinds and run fans.
I sometimes add ice cubes to the water, too. Luckily, we don't usually get too much summer heat. One thing they love is a kiddie wading pool to play in. They will dive/bob for toys. I just have to make sure and empty it and clean it out every couple of days to prevent mosquitoes from breeding in it.
Thanks for sharing your summer routine!
Byroney
It sounds like you're doing a lot of good things to help keep Bailey cool. I don't have air conditioning anywhere in the house so I close blinds and run fans.
I sometimes add ice cubes to the water, too. Luckily, we don't usually get too much summer heat. One thing they love is a kiddie wading pool to play in. They will dive/bob for toys. I just have to make sure and empty it and clean it out every couple of days to prevent mosquitoes from breeding in it.
Thanks for sharing your summer routine!
Byroney
Every dog has his day - but the nights are reserved for the cats ~ Unknown
Report This| Share this:Protecting Your Pets During Hot WeatherHello again, Colleen (grandmaof03)!<br /> <br />It sounds like you're doing a lot of good things to help keep Bailey cool. I don't have air conditioning anywhere in the house so I close blinds and run fans. <br /> <br />I sometimes add ice cubes to the water, too. Luckily, we don't usually get too much summer heat. One thing they love is a kiddie wading pool to play in. They will dive/bob for toys. I just have to make sure and empty it and clean it out every couple of days to prevent mosquitoes from breeding in it.<br /> <br />Thanks for sharing your summer routine!<br /> <br />Byroney
Great job, Grandma (and Byroney)! Sounds like Bailey is in good hands. Thanks for sharing.
Dr. Will
Report This| Share this:Protecting Your Pets During Hot WeatherGreat job, Grandma (and Byroney)! Sounds like Bailey is in good hands. Thanks for sharing.
bestinthesouth responded:
We have an Airedale and a Welsh Terrier. In the summer we give them kongs that have been filled with rice, chicken, peas, etc. then freeze them for a summer treat. To change it, up we put cooked chicken in the bottom of plastic bowls then topped it with watered down chicken broth and then froze them. It takes them about 15 to 20 minutes to lick through the ice and get to the chicken supprise. I was wondering if there are any health issues to their tongues from licking on ice for that period of time. We would stop when our tongues get too cold but they will continue until they reach the treats!
Report This| Share this:Protecting Your Pets During Hot WeatherWe have an Airedale and a Welsh Terrier. In the summer we give them kongs that have been filled with rice, chicken, peas, etc. then freeze them for a summer treat. To change it, up we put cooked chicken in the bottom of plastic bowls then topped it with watered down chicken broth and then froze them. It takes them about 15 to 20 minutes to lick through the ice and get to the chicken supprise. I was wondering if there are any health issues to their tongues from licking on ice for that period of time. We would stop when our tongues get too cold but they will continue until they reach the treats!
Anon_175027 responded:
Dr Draper, My 8 yrs old pug mix dog was acting fine this morning and I got a call from a friend to bring her a jack for her car just down the street. I took my dog as he loves to be with her. As they were using the jack I constantly kept checking the dog for any signs that he was hot. I noticed he was panting and as my friend to take him home. When we came back to the house he was throwing up and acting like him tummy hurt. He threw up about three more times and the last one had some blood in it (this was this first time). He threw up a lot of bile and some red blood. I gave him some childrens' tummy over the counter medicine and this helped. He got up and drank some water and I think it was way to much. 10 minutes later he threw up again with a lot of the water and some blood again. Could this be heat stroke??? What do I need to do? Money is tight at our house but will forego paying rent if we need to take him to the vet. Please let me know if I need to take him to the vet in the morning. He is my little buddy.
Report This| Share this:Protecting Your Pets During Hot WeatherDr Draper, My 8 yrs old pug mix dog was acting fine this morning and I got a call from a friend to bring her a jack for her car just down the street. I took my dog as he loves to be with her. As they were using the jack I constantly kept checking the dog for any signs that he was hot. I noticed he was panting and as my friend to take him home. When we came back to the house he was throwing up and acting like him tummy hurt. He threw up about three more times and the last one had some blood in it (this was this first time). He threw up a lot of bile and some red blood. I gave him some childrens' tummy over the counter medicine and this helped. He got up and drank some water and I think it was way to much. 10 minutes later he threw up again with a lot of the water and some blood again. Could this be heat stroke??? What do I need to do? Money is tight at our house but will forego paying rent if we need to take him to the vet. Please let me know if I need to take him to the vet in the morning. He is my little buddy.
Featuring Experts from 
Drew Weigner, DVM, ABVP, is one of the few board-certified feline specialists in the nation, having practiced medicine for more than 25 years. Weigner...More
Helpful Tips
Helping Hospice Patients Keep Their Pets
Pets are an extremely important part of our lives. And this is especially true when we are at the end of our days. What could be more ... More
Was this Helpful?
34
of
46 found this helpful
-
How to Get Your Cat in a Carrier
-
Excellent website for information on parasites in dogs and cats
-
Crazy about cats??? Check out this website and free cat care guide
Helpful Resources
Related News
Report Problems to the
Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Learn more about the AVMA
Other Pet Health Information
More Related Communities
The opinions expressed in WebMD User-generated content areas like communities, reviews, ratings, or blogs are solely those of the User, who may or may not have medical or scientific training. These opinions do not represent the opinions of WebMD. User-generated content areas are not reviewed by a WebMD physician or any member of the WebMD editorial staff for accuracy, balance, objectivity, or any other reason except for compliance with our Terms and Conditions. Some of these opinions may contain information about treatments or uses of drug products that have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. WebMD does not endorse any specific product, service, or treatment.
Do not consider WebMD User-generated content as medical advice. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your care plan or treatment. WebMD understands that reading individual, real-life experiences can be a helpful resource, but it is never a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified health care provider. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or dial 911 immediately.
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
About WebMD Advertise With Us Terms of Use Privacy Policy Sponsor Policy Site Map Careers Contact Us
First Aid WebMD Magazine WebMD Health Record WebMD Mobile Newsletters Dictionary Physician Directory
©2005-2013 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.
WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information.