Hot Times in the City . . . and Other Places, Too

June is Pet Safety Month 

– a topic near and dear to my lil’ PUGGY HEART

I thought about all of the posts I have read lately about leaving pets and PUGS in cars on hot days (don’t); about avoiding walking your dog on hot asphalt in the heat of the day; and about keeping your pet calm during FIREWORKS shows. All sound and sane advice, I tell you.

I decided to join BlogPaws in their Pet Safety Blog Hop. Blogville can always use one more discussion on Summer’s dangers; but I wanted to AMP UP THE HEAT some and discuss an oft overlooked side effect of the DOG DAYS of Summer –

Heat Stroke in Pets

I was reminded of the dangers of Heat Stroke when we attended Dog Day at the Park last month. It was

during the heat wave here in the Bay Area and it was HOT HOT HOT at the ballpark. There was little or no shade to be found and even if you found shade - it was still HOT. We were all queuing up for our parade around the playing field when suddenly the crowd was buzzing. A large dog (looked like a Borzoi or something similar) had collapsed and was clearly in distress. The humans were all offering water and cool rags – anything to bring his (or her??) temperature down.

It was very disturbing. 

It turned out okay – but nonetheless took THE WHOLE PARADE for the poor dog to cool down and breathe more normally.

Heat Stroke can cause loss of consciousness, brain damage and death. 

So tell me, do you know the signs of HEAT STROKE in dogs? Here they are, just to remind you:

· panting excessively

· have redness around his eyes

· show signs of weakness

· irritability

· may start vomiting

· collapse

What do you do if your dog or PUG collapses from heat stroke?

Ø  Hydrate with cool (not cold) water and cool down with and fan (if possible)

Ø  Wet down with wet towels or let soak in a tub or pool

Ø If the pet look grayish (other than normal coat color) or the tongue is blue, call a VETERINARIAN or take immediately to the Emergency clinic.

The best CURE FOR HEAT STROKE is to not even get it so – walk your pet when the temps come down like at night or early morning. Provide your dog with a nice shady area and lot of cool water so he or she can stay hydrated. 

And most of all 

DO NOT LEAVE YOUR PET IN A PARKED CAR!!!!!