Three-digit temperatures are causing medical problems to rise
YUMA, Arizona (KYMA, KECY) – With the heat still well in the triple digits outside, pet owners may want to check in with their dog to make sure they are safe.
Of course, it is much more difficult for dogs to cool off in the heat, mainly because they do not have sweat glands. In addition, this problem can be worse if the dog has a darker coat.
In high temperature locations like Yuma or even Imperial Valley, only a short amount of time outdoors can pose great threats.
Local pet owner Gerardo Megana’s dog Misty recently suffered heat stroke. Misty had only been out for less than an hour when the incident happened.
First Megana noticed that Misty had bowed her head and was struggling to breathe.
“I freaked out when I saw her first. I didn’t know what to do so I called my wife. My wife took her temperature and decided we need to take her in. So yeah, it was pretty scary, “Megana shared.
Dogs coming to the clinic for heat stroke is a problem local veterinarian Dr. Cheryl Haugo has seen all too often, especially in the summer.
“We see it quite a lot here. Usually at this time of year at least one or two a week, sometimes one or two a day depending on the day,” said Dr. Haugo.
Symptoms to look out for
- Purple or swollen tongue and gums
- Difficulty breathing
- In extreme cases, vomiting and seizures
An important factor is what garden your pet is in. That alone can work either for or against the dog’s condition.
“If your yard is super shady, it’s really cool. Maybe there is a source of water for the dog to lie in? It’s a lot easier for an owner than it is to be said if all they have is cement and stones and a garden that doesn’t have much shade, ”advised Haugo.
Haugo also says that if you have a dog with other medical problems, such as heart disease, you should supervise them while they go outside.
Comments are closed.