Dogs love summer as much as you do.  But summer can also be hazardous for your pets.  At doggie daycare, they may be exposed to more fleas, heartworms, and other parasites that spread faster in warm weather.  Plus, there are a lot of dangers in the rays of the sun, especially if your dog is too excited by playing and over-exerts himself.  Such over-exertion when it is too hot can lead to heat stroke or exhaustion, both forms of “hyperthermia.”

Hyperthermia is the overheating of the body.  Your dog’s normal temperature is usually around 101 or 102 degrees.  Your dog’s sweat glands are in the pads of his feet, though his primary method of cooling himself is through panting, which works like sweating.  Humidity can complicate this process, making the air too moist for the heat to dissipate. A rule of thumb to keep in mind is that when the external temperature reaches that of your dog’s internal temperature, the results can be deadly. Your doggie daycare provider will take the necessary steps to protect your dog from hypothermia by limiting time spent outside on hot days and sometimes even giving dogs a “time out” so they do not get too hot.

Exercise is another factor when it comes to hypothermia. You may have the sense to stop playing games or running/walking around outside, but your dog does not.  Some dogs will literally run themselves until they fall down.  When spending time outside, your dog will be offered water every 10 to 15 minutes.  

Most doggie daycare providers promote outdoor play when possible, watching for signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, such as:

• Excessive panting
• Flushed skin or the dog is hot to the touch

Without treatment, heat exhaustion will escalate.  Look for symptoms like:

• Body temperature of over 104F degrees
• Increased heart rate and breathing
• Salivation, vomiting and/or diarrhea
• Weakness or dizziness, stumbling
• Depression or subdued behavior
• Seizures, loss of consciousness

It rarely happens, but if your dog is showing signs of hyperthermia while in our doggie daycare, we will take action immediately.  First, your dog will be taken to a cooler place and his temperature will be taken.  He will be sprayed with water and placed near fans. If his temperature is not down to a normal range, we will get him to a vet immediately.  Even if he seems to have improved, there’s a chance that internal damage has been done if his fever was over 104F degrees and he may experience organ failure, heart and respiratory problems, seizures, or death. 

Using common sense and understanding how dangerous heat can be will help you avoid a heat-related tragedy.