Keeping your dog cool in summer is important. Like humans, some dogs to better with the heat than others. Ensure your dog always has access to cool fresh water, try not to walk at the hottest times of the day and keep exercise short. If your dog enjoys swimming beware hazards in the water.

Heatstroke in Dogs

Signs of heatstroke include heavy panting, glazed eyes, rapid heartbeat, difficulty breathing, excessive thirst, lethargy, fever, dizziness, lack of coordination, profuse salivation, vomiting, a deep red or purple tongue, seizure, and even unconsciousness.

Dogs are at particular risk for heat stroke if they are very old, very young, overweight, not conditioned to prolonged exercise, or have heart or respiratory disease. Some breeds of dogs like boxers, pugs, shih tzus, and other dogs and cats with short muzzles will have a much harder time breathing in extreme heat.

How to treat a pet suffering from heatstroke

Move your dog into the shade or an air-conditioned area. Apply ice packs or cold towels to their head, neck, and chest or run cool (not cold) water over them. Let them drink small amounts of cool water or lick ice cubes. Take them to a veterinarian asap.