Dear Dr. Marc,

My St. Bernard, Mitzy, loves Wisconsin winters but hates hot summer days. Do you have any advice on the best way to keep Mitzy cool and avoid heat stroke? Ethel S.

Hi, Ethel,

This is a great question and one that could help avoid a potentially deadly problem.

Dogs overheat more quickly than humans because they can’t sweat. Instead, they expel heat through the pads of their paws and by panting. If dogs are left in hot conditions for too long, they can quickly begin to suffer from heat stroke.

Signs of heat stroke include increased body temperature, excessive panting, excessive saliva, lethargy/weakness, seizures, blue/purple gums.

To prevent heat stroke, keep your dog indoors, especially during the hottest part of the day. If a dog must be left outside, they need access to shade and cool fresh water. Avoid concrete and blacktop; if it is too hot for you to walk barefoot, then it is too hot for your dog.

Never leave your dog unattended in a vehicle. On an 85-degree day, it takes only 10 minutes for the interior of your car to reach 102 degrees.

If you suspect your dog has heat stroke, get them into the shade as quickly as possible and offer them fresh water. Apply cool wet towels on their head, neck and feet. Avoid using very cold water (like from a hose) as this can cause your dog to shiver, which may elevate their body temperature.

Mild cases of overheating can be handled at home, but if your dog is suffering from heat stroke, get them to the veterinarian as soon as possible where intravenous fluids and oxygen will be used to cool the dog down and stabilize internal organs.

The summer months are a great time to enjoy the many adventures Wisconsin has to offer — just be sure to keep your pups cool, hydrated and happy.

Do you have questions for Dr. Marc? Send us an email at info@isthmusvetcare.com.