With July comes summer heat. Be aware of where you are asking your dog to walk. Always walk in the cooler morning or evening hours or along shaded routes if the ambient temperature is not extreme. Blacktop and concert get hot and can burn your dog’s pads. Summer pavement temperatures can be 40 to 60 degrees warmer than air temperatures.
NEVER leave your dog in the car; it gets deadly hot fast. Similarly, please do not leave your dog in her kennel in the back of your pickup. A friend placed a typical plastic dog kennel from a reputable manufacturer in the back of their pickup. The outdoor temperature was 89 degrees. Within 15 minutes, the temperature inside the kennel soared to 104 degrees. Earlier, the staff at a local shelter pulled a large dog from a similar situation. This dog’s body temp was 104.3 degrees! (A dog’s normal body temperature ranges between 99.5 and 102.5 degrees.)
If your dog appears overheated, get him in the shade promptly, lay him on a cool, wet towel, and do your best to soak his paws and abdomen in cool—not cold—water. Signs of heat stroke include elevated breathing rates, dry or sticky gums, abnormal gum color, bruising in the gums, a lethargic or disoriented appearance, and, perhaps, seizures. Transport him to the vet as soon as possible.
Prestige Lancashire Heelers 