What a spring! On the eve of our neighbours to the south May day long weekend, and just after our own here in Canada, we’re looking at temperatures in the 80’s in Niagara Falls!
The garden is bursting with buds and we can’t keep up with the lawn already. Complaining – no way! All seven of our dogs here today – dog boarding and residents – handle the heat in different ways, including chillin’ inside. We watch out for heat stroke.
Dogs Get Hot
We do have to be careful though, on behalf of our furry friends with long coats or adorable smushy faces. As you can see from the picture up top, Lucky has a puppy cut and a cool kitchen floor to relax on during the top heat of this May day.
Baby and his dog dad Buddy have puppy cuts too. Not only does it make these seniors look like puppies, it helps keep them cool too.
Of course there is no such thing as “too hot” for Mexican chihuahuas, so Jill and McGee are cuddled in their doggy bed.
Smushy-Faced Breed Boston Terrier
Being a Boston Terrier, Axel is our dog boarding brachycephalic smushy-faced breeds guest at the moment. That means it’s harder for him to keep cool than most other dogs.
Watch out for these symptoms** of heat stroke in your dogs on hot days, some of which sound really scary (but apply only in extreme cases!):
Panting
Dehydration
Excessive drooling (ptyalism)
Increased body temperature – above 103° F (39° C)
Reddened gums and moist tissues of the body
Production of only small amounts of urine or no urine
Sudden (acute) kidney failure
Rapid heart rate
Irregular heart beats
Shock
Stoppage of the heart and breathing (cardiopulmonary arrest)
Fluid build-up in the lungs; sudden breathing distress (tachypnea)
Blood-clotting disorder(s)
Vomiting blood (hematemesis)
Passage of blood in the bowel movement or stool
Black, tarry stools
Small, pinpoint areas of bleeding
Generalized (systemic) inflammatory response syndrome
Disease characterized by the breakdown of red-muscle tissue
Death of liver cells
Changes in mental status
Seizures
Muscle tremors
Wobbly, uncoordinated or drunken gait or movement (ataxia)
Unconsciousness in which the dog cannot be stimulated to be awakened
More from the front lines of Furever Pet Care as they happen!
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