How to Avoid Heat Stroke in Pets
Like humans, cats and dogs are subject to heat stress, either in the form of heat illness or heat stroke. The summer months are particularly dangerous, but you can help your pets avoid heat stroke if you take the right steps to protect them. Keeping them in cooler environments during certain hours of the day, ensuring they have plenty of cool water to drink, and not letting them overheat through strenuous exercise are all crucial if you want to avoid heat stroke for your furry friends. Our veterinarian at Hamilton Road Animal Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, can help you keep your companion animals in good spirits no matter how hot summer gets.
How to Prevent Heat Stroke, and When to Seek Help
Keep your pets indoors during the hottest part of the day, which is usually between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Be aware that heat waves can extend that time period. If your dogs still want to go outside, ensure that they can get back inside easily when they want to, have them wear pet booties on their paws if they are walking on hard surfaces like concrete, and set up a shade area where your animals can cool down.
Water is essential. Leave bowls of fresh water around the house and outdoors, and remember to change the water frequently to avoid mosquitoes breeding in stagnant water. Never, ever, leave your beloved animals in the car, even just to run into a store.
If your dogs or cats are drooling or panting excessively, vomiting, lethargic, restless, or uncoordinated, seek prompt veterinary care.
Get Veterinary Help Immediately for Heat stroke
At Hamilton Road Animal Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, you can get emergency help from our veterinarian for a pet that is showing signs of heat stroke. Call us at 614-239-0027 for more information.