How To Keep Your Pets Healthy During The Summer

This week's scorching heat caused people throughout the Northeast to think about ways to cool off. People received numerous reports and tips on how to beat the heat by staying indoors in air-conditioned places and drinking plenty of water. But pets should not be forgotten as they too can suffer from the record-high temperatures and collapse to heat strokes. 

On Monday, June 5, a man left his Maltese inside his van, where the temperature reached 140 degrees and the dog suffocated to death. The man had gone to "cool off" with his girlfriend and daughter while their pet suffered for approximately an hour and a half before it died. 

Dr. Eric Midlarsky, a veterinarian at the North County Animal Hospital, recommends that pets are kept in the shade and given plenty of water. Owners can take out their dogs outside for bathroom only for a short period of time. Keep the dogs off the hot pavements as they can burn their paws, he said.

An animal can suffer a heat stroke at 78 degrees. The first signs are sluggishness, weakness and excessive panting. If owners notice such symptoms, Midlarsky said they must see a vet immediately.

"Heat stroke is very deadly," he said.

However, not every dog will show signs of heat stroke, some might suddenly collapse, he said. That's why it is important to take all necessary safety precautions. Younger and elderly animals, just like humans, are more susceptible to heat stroke, expect that unlike people they have fur and can't sweat, Midlarsky said. 

"Your vet can tell the difference between a heat stroke versus something else," he said. "You can't tell."

Owners need to provide shade for their animals, plenty of water, keep the walks short and avoid direct sunlight.

"Direct sunlight is one of the causes for heat stroke," Midlarsky said.

While heat stroke is deadly, other problems that can arise due to the heat, but are treatable, are burnt paws when walking on the hot pavement, and light-skinned dogs with short hair can sunburn.

Trainers at Guiding Eyes for the Blind also took safety precautions with their dogs during the scorching heat. Although they can train their dogs outside throughout the day, on June 6, they trained them early in the morning or late in the evening. After 12 p.m. there was no training done outside due to the extreme heat, Michelle Brier said.

Instead trainers made trips to the Jefferson Valley mall or other air-conditioned places and trained their dogs indoors. Guiding Eyes for Blind trainers also told their clients not to leave their dogs in cars under any circumstances.

"When I'm miserable outside, I know my dog will be too," Michelle Brier said.

Dog owners recommend giving plenty of water to pets and limiting outdoor activities.

"The dogs are smart," said Lisa Deutsch, vice president for Guiding Eyes for the Blind. "They know when to hydrate themselves and how much to drink. It's really important there is always water available."

Apprentice instructor at Guiding Eyes Jamie Viezbicke also said the rule is if the owner is too hot, chances are the dog feels the same way.