On hot days, dogs and cats can suffer a heat stroke if not properly cared for, with the strokes potentially fatal within a very short period of time.

The Porter County Animal Shelter offers the following tips to help your dog, cat and other pets stay cool during intense heat.

Bring pets indoors on hot days. If they must be outdoors, make sure they have shade, water and a breeze if possible. (Running an outdoor fan might get the neighbors talking, but it can provide relief for an animal outdoors).

Never leave a dog outdoors unattended during the heat of the day.

A pet’s normal body temperature is 99.5 to 102.5 degrees. If it rises to 105 degrees or more, the animal is at risk for developing heat exhaustion. If the body temperature rises to 107 degrees, the animal is at risk of developing heat stroke, which can cause irreversible damage and death.

Never leave a pet in a car. A parked vehicle, even with partially opened windows, can rise to 160 degrees in a matter of minutes. Leaving pets in a car during warm weather is the most common cause of heat stroke.

Animals that are at a higher risk of developing heat-related problems include the following: black dogs and cats; overweight animals; puppies up to six months; dogs that have a thick coat or heart or lung problems; pets with short, wide heads like pugs, English bulldogs, and Boston terriers; pets that are ill, that have heart disease or those on medications; older pets (older than 7 for large breed dogs and older than 14 years for small breeds).

A pet that is overheating will appear sluggish and unresponsive. The gums, tongue and conjunctiva of the eyes might be bright red, and the animal might be panting hard. Overheated pets might also vomit, collapse, suffer a seizure or go into a coma.

Pets that exhibit heat-related problems should be taken to a veterinarian immediately. On the way to the vet, cool the pet with wet towels or a cool water spray. If the animal is conscious, give ice chips to chew on.

Limit sun exposure from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on hot days. Limit a pet’s activity on hot days, and exercise dogs only during the morning or evening.

Keep pets in an air-conditioned room or a room with partially open windows with a breeze.

Posted 6/25/2009