Pet Dehydration and Heatstroke: Why It Is Important to Protect Your Pet From Them
At Suburban Veterinary Clinic, our Maple Heights, OH, vet team dedicates their time and energy to keep animals safe and healthy from a wide range of conditions, including pet heatstroke and dehydration. These two issues are serious and cause life-threatening symptoms. Should your pet experience them, prompt care is critical. Read the below information to understand why it is vital to protect your pet from dehydration and heatstroke.
How Pet Heatstroke and Dehydration Happens
In a pet’s body, there is an enormous amount of heat, and the only way to cool down is through panting. However, in certain conditions, like exposure to extreme heat or humidity, panting is not enough to cool the body down to normal temperature. As a result, the internal temperature of the body rises to highly dangerous levels that causes the organs to fail. This is what's known as heatstroke.
Dehydration is when a pet loses essential body water and electrolytes. Overexposure of the sun and not drinking plenty of water is the primary reason that provokes dehydration.
Red Flags of Pet Dehydration and Heatstroke
The summer months are not easy on pets, especially those that spend the majority of their time outside. But, even short visits to the outdoors can be dangerous. Keep an eye on your furry animal for symptoms of dehydration and heatstroke.
Symptoms of pet dehydration include:
- Lethargy
- Excessive panting
- Sunken eyes
- Loss of appetite
- Loss of skin elasticity
- Dry nose
- Sticky or dry gums
Pet heatstroke symptoms are:
- Excessive drooling, salivating, or panting
- Red or pale gums
- Vomiting blood
- Seizures
- Collapse
- Breathing distress
- Agitation
- Staggering
- Loss of consciousness
Preventative Measures
Water makes up the majority of any pet’s body. It is why keeping a furry friend hydrated is so important. Hydration is a requirement to keep its organs functioning and to maintain its core body temperature.
It is also crucial to make sure that your pet:
- has plenty of shade or is in a well-ventilated area of the house
- has lots of cool water
- is never locked in a vehicle, even if a window is cracked opened
- is not outdoors for too long
- is walked during the early morning hours or the late evening hours
Rely On Our Maple Heights, OH, Veterinarian If Your Pet Is Sick
Even if you provide shelter and cool water for your pet, dehydration and heatstroke can still happen. Call our veterinarian at Suburban Veterinary Clinic in Maple Heights, OH, at the first sign of trouble. We can rely on us to help your animal recover from these two pressing issues. The number to call us is 216-662-6117.
