Island Animal Hospital of Venice FL is your local veterinarian. We are dedicated to the health and well-being of your pets. One danger dogs face in the summer time is getting overheated. A dog’s normal body temperature is between 99.5 and 102.5. add to that a fur coat and warm temperatures and it’s easy to see how a dog can become overheated. In fact, dogs can get heat stroke just like humans

Heatstroke

• Raised heart rate
• Excessive panting
• Extreme Thirst
• Vomiting
• Bright red tongue and pale gums. Lift your dog’s gums and examine the color of the gums. Press a fingertip into the gum. The gum will turn white. If it does not return to pink immediately, your dog needs medical attention.
• Thick saliva.
• A body temperature of 103 or above.
• Look for lessened elasticity of the skin. If you pull the skin of the neck up it normally snaps back into place. In a dehydrated dog, it remains standing up.

.

Treating Heat stroke

• Get the dog out of the heat.
• Make the dog sit still. Do not let him run around.
• Provide cool water to drink. Do not force him or her to drink.
• Wet the dog with a hose. Do not put your dog all the way under water and make sure the water is not too cold.
• Call a vet. Even if you think your dog is responding to being out of the heat and cooling off, it’s a good idea to double check with a vet.

Don’t hesitate to call Island Animal Hospital if you think your dog has heat stroke. (941) 202-4284