News & Announcements

08.16.10
The high temperatures this summer have brought on several cases of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. The combination of high temperature, high humidity, and poor ventilation can be fatal to dogs and cats. Dogs and cats do not sweat as people do. Thus, the cooling benefits of water evaporation from the skin are not available to them.Panting and radiation of heat from the skin surface are their main means of controlling body temperature. If the air temperature and humidity are high and air circulation is reduced, these protective mechanisms are inadequate. Body te...mperature can then increase dramatically, resulting in collapse and severe shock. Animals not treated promptly may die. Dogs with short, flattened noses (brachycephalic breeds), such as Pugs, Bulldogs, Pekingese, and Boxers are especially susceptible to heat stroke, since their restricted breathing doesn't allow enough air exchange for rapid heat loss. Help protect your other family members from too much heat by keeping them safely indoors away from the severe outside high temperatures and watching them closely during outside play and walks.