Pets can get heat stroke too

NYC Veterinary Specialists wants people to know how to take care of their pets if they become overheated and dehydrated.
If your pet seems sluggish, continuously vomits, has severe diarrhea or brick red gums, it may be suffering from a heat stroke.
“Do not go outside in the heat of the day, keep your pets in an air-conditioned environment and limit strenuous activities such as running and playing ball in the park,” said Benjamin Davidson, emergency medicine and critical care specialist with NYC Veterinary Specialists.
Animal lovers are advised to venture outdoors only for short periods of time and stay in the shade as much as possible. Do not leave your pet in a locked car with the windows closed; always make sure the window is slightly open to keep the air circulating.
Also, unlike humans, sports drinks or electrolyte supplements do not help animals fighting dehydration.
“Dogs sweat by panting. They don’t sweat like people or need supplements such as sodium or potassium,” said Davidson. “These products can actually harm animals and make them sick.”
If your pet does gets overheated, spray the animal down with room temperature water, not cold or ice water, Davidson said. The cold water or ice can make heat exhaustion symptoms worse by decreasing blood flow to the skin so heat can’t escape the body.