Protect your dog from the extreme heat of summer

We have heat advisories for high humidity and 90-plus degree weather for the next few days. With August still ahead, we may have even more days of hot summer weather. Even with temperatures in the 80s, it is still hot outside.

As we enjoy the days of sunshine, warmth and relaxed fun outside, we need to remember to protect our companion animals from the hot weather.

The American Kennel Club, the Humane Society of the United States and Dr. Ruth MacPete, DVM, (PetHealthNetwork.com) offer tips on how to do that.

We know the dangers of leaving your pets in a parked car in the summer. Rebecca Simmons, outreach communications coordinator for the Companion Animals section of the Humane Society of the U.S., cautions against taking your dog with you in the car.

"On a warm, sunny day, windows collect light, trapping heat inside the vehicle and pushing the temperature inside to dangerous levels," she said.

Even if your car is parked in the shade, the temperature inside can reach 120 degrees within a matter of minutes. Leaving the windows partially rolled down doesn't help. Dogs are designed to conserve heat. Their sweat glands, which are on their nose and the pads of their feet, are inadequate for cooling during hot days.

Panting and drinking water helps cool dogs. But if they have only overheated air to breathe, dogs can suffer brain and organ damage after just 15 minutes. Dogs and other pets left in hot cars, even briefly, can suffer from heat exhaustion, heat stroke, brain damage and even death.

Simmons said the symptoms of heat stress caused by exposure to extreme temperatures include heavy panting, glazed eyes, rapid heartbeat, restlessness, excessive thirst, lethargy, fever, dizziness, lack of coordination, profuse salivation, vomiting, a deep red or purple tongue and unconsciousness.

She advocates helping the animals in parked cars.

"Get involved. If you see a pet in a parked car during a summer day, go to the nearest store and have the owner paged. Enlist the help of a security guard, or call the local police department or local animal control office."

If your dog shows symptoms of heat exhaustion or heat stroke, Simmons lists the following steps that may save your companion animal's life:

• Move the animal into the shade or an air-conditioned area.

• Apply ice packs or cold towels to your pet's head, neck and chest, or immerse her in cool - not cold - water. Let your pet drink small amounts or water or lick ice cubes.

• Take your pet to a veterinarian immediately.

In addition to playing it safe and leaving our dogs cool and refreshed at home while we run our errands in the heat of the summer day, we need to:

• Provide our animals with plenty of cool, fresh drinking water.

• Avoid prolonged exposure to hot asphalt or sand, which can burn your dog's paws.

• Avoid strenuous exercise on extremely hot days, taking our dogs for their walks in the early mornings or evenings when the sun's heat is less intense.

When you are out in the summer sun with your pet, remember, he too is susceptible to sun damage. Dr. Ruth MacPete notes excess sun exposure can lead to sunburn and skin cancer in our pets. Areas like nose, ears, lips eyelids and belly have little or no hair on them and are very susceptible to sun damage.

MacPete has several suggestions for protecting our animals from the summer sun. Keep your pet indoors when the sun is at its strongest. If it is peak tanning time, keep your pet inside. Also, consider putting pet clothing with solar protection on your pet.

Lastly, use sunscreen on your pet's ear tips, nose and other areas that are vulnerable to sun damage. Human sunscreen is safe if it doesn't contain zinc oxide, which can be toxic if ingested. Since there are ingredients in sunscreens that can be toxic to both cats and dogs, she recommends using only a veterinarian-approved sunscreen.

Consult your veterinarian about which sunscreen is best for your animal.

We protect ourselves from the sun and hot weather. We need to protect our animals too and to keep our birdbaths full - but out of the reach of our dogs - to help the birds with the heat. Sitting in the shade with my dog is one of my favorite summertime activities. Enjoy the days of summer with your dog.

• The Buddy Foundation, 65 W. Seegers Road, Arlington Heights, is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization with all funds directly assisting its animals. Its mission is to provide immediate safety and care to stray and abandoned animals. Call (847) 290-5806 or visit www.thebuddyfoundation.org.