Pet Safety Tips For Heat from Our San Diego Veterinarian

Summer is a fun time of the year, but according to our Tierrasanta vet, pet owners must take care to ensure that their pets stay cool as a cucumber to avoid serious issues caused by the soaring temperatures. Dogs especially have a hard time keeping cool during the summer months and their only cooling mechanism is panting, so it is crucial to keep them out of the heat as much as possible. Our San Diego Veterinarian has a few pointers to help you and your pet have a great summer!

Tips from our Veterinarian in San Diego

• Exercise Less When It’s Hot Outside – It’s a good idea to limit exercise for your dog when temps are extreme. Taking your pet for a walk during early morning/evening hours when it is cooler is best. Also, be aware of hot roads that can burn their paws.
• Do Not Leave Dogs in Your Car-Ever – Temperatures soar when the windows and doors are closed on a car. It only takes minutes for the heat to affect your dog. Heat stroke is serious and can cause death.
• Drink, Drink, Drink – It is very important to keep your pets hydrated during summer months. Also, be sure to keep them out of the sun as much as possible, especially for long periods of time.
• Sunburn and Skin Cancer - Dogs can get a bad sunburn and have the same risk for skin cancer as we do. Pay special attention to pets that have light colored fur and short hair, as they tend to sunburn more easily. Be sure to ask our Tierrasanta vet about sunscreen protection for your dog this summer.
• Be Aware of Heatstroke in Dogs - Our Veterinarian in San Diego warns that extreme temperatures can cause pets to suffer from heatstroke. Signs of heatstroke include: heavy panting, rapid heartbeat, glazed eyes, extreme thirst, fever, lethargy, vomiting, a deep red/purple tongue, and more. If your pet has any of these signs, contact our Tierrasanta vet as soon as possible.

Call or Visit Us To Learn More

Contact Tierrasanta Veterinary Hospital today if you think the San Diego heat has affected your pet at (858) 292-6116 to schedule a time to see Dr. Michelle Schexneider, our veterinarian in San Diego.