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by Vicki

It's great to enjoy summer with your pet, but it's also the time when they have the greatest risk of injury and heat-related problems. So here are some tips on keeping things cool this summer:

Watch for signs of Heatstroke - Rapid panting, hot skin, twitching muscles or a dazed look. Wrap them in a towel soaked with cool water, not cold water. In severe cases, place them in the bathtub. Heatstroke can be fatal. Contact your vet as soon as possible.

Never leave your pet in a parked car - Not even if you crack the windows or park in the shade. On a 70 degree day, the car temperature can rise above 150 degrees in minutes. It's extremely dangerous and the number 1 cause of heatstroke.

Always provide plenty of fresh water - Dogs can only sweat through the pads of their feet and by panting. Evaporation from the wet surfaces of their mouth and nose helps lower body temperature.

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