Our Burke Veterinarian Shares Tips on Preventing Cat & Dog Heat Stroke
At Burke Animal Clinic, our veterinarian and team takes great pride in providing the health and wellness services your pet needs at various life stages. With the hot months of summer quickly approaching, we thought now would be a good time to remind pet owners of the risk of heat stroke and overheating in pets. By knowing how to protect your pets and what signs to be on the lookout for, hopefully you won’t need to make an unplanned vet visit this summer.
Heat Stroke Signs and Prevention Tips
Unlike humans, dogs and cats don’t have many sweat glands. As a result, they tend to have a harder time regulating their body temperatures effectively. Some of the most common signs of heat distress in pets to watch out for include:
- excessive panting and/or salivation
- overall weakness or lethargy
- collapse or loss of consciousness
- appearance of bright red gums
If a pet shows any of these signs after being exposed to the heat, it’s important to bring the pet inside and seek veterinary care as soon as possible. The best way to protect your pet from heat stress and heat stroke is to make sure your pet has plenty of shelter from the sun, especially on warm days. Never leave your pet outside for extended periods of time, and make sure your pet has access to plenty of fresh water and shade while outdoors. Never leave a pet unattended in a car, no matter what the temperature.
Contact Our Burke Veterinarian Today!
If your pet shows any signs of heat stress, be sure to see our Burke veterinarian as soon as possible. You can reach our Burke Animal Clinic team for more pet tips or information by calling (703) 569-9600.
