It's HOT here in Florida! Do's, Don'ts and Things to watch
A quick, single list. It's that important. Yes, it will help you remember for our fur people.
1. Heat stroke and dehydration are huge, big risks!
Dogs don't sweat. They release heat by panting. They can lose lots of fluid during hot, humid weather especially when outdoors. Look for the signs of dehydration:
- Excessive Panting
- Dry or sticky gums
- Sleepy/lazy/lethargic (moreso than usual, let's be honest beyond naptime ;-)
- Eyes appear sunken
- Loss of appetite - what, no want for treats or dinner? Uh oh!
- Weakness - ability to move, getup, stroll around in their usual manner.
Always have fresh water, shade and keep them cool. Dog pools help but must be supervised. Keep them out of the heat in the middle of the day at extended times. Structure walks for mornings and evenings before the oven outside gets going and as it cools down. Be aware paws can be uncomfortable to in fact burn on hot pavement, stones, brick and certainly in our Florida sand. Short, frequent walks are best with plenty of cool water thereafter.
What do you do if any of these symptoms happen? Bring them inside to AC. Put water on a towel and cool them from the underside. Ice cubes, water, short of full immersion as not all dogs like or can handle swimming or dunks in the bathtub well. If there is true lethargy, what appears to be a deteriorating condition, get them into a vet ASAP. Call ahead. They will be able to walk you through what to do to avoid a true stroke. Dehydration can be restored naturally, but an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure as the old saying goes.
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