Summer time is in full swing and along with the AC being on full blast (as it always is in my house) comes the HEAT!!! Where we live in Las Vegas it gets very HOT the tempature is always above 100 degrees. This warm weather can be dangrous and cause heat stroke in your Pomeranian. Today I’m going to be talking on what heat stroke is, what to do if your Pomeranian has it and how to prevent it!
Heat Stroke:
Heat Stroke occurs when your pet’s internal temperature becomes dangerously high, generally about 106 degrees F. It can be due to being locked in a hot car, or to over-exercising in a hot and/or humid environment. Either way, it leads to a cascade of very serious conditions that can result in brain damage, organ failure, and death.
Body temperature can reach 104-110 degrees Fahrenheit
Heavy panting
Rapid pulse or heartbeat
Bright or dark red gums & tongue
Excessive thirst
Excessive drooling
Lethargy
Lack of coordination, staggering
Seizures
Glazed eyes
Bloody diarrhea
Vomiting
Unconsciousness
Emergency treatment for Heat Stroke
The best thing to do if your think your Pomeranian has heat stroke is to move him to a cool area. Place him in cool water to lower his temperature. Do not put him in ice cold water as it may make the situation worse. If it’s possible place cool fans around your Pomeranian. The quicker you lower the body temperature the better to get your Pomeranian in a safe place. Call the vet as soon as your pom is in cool water so they can walk you through the process and see if you need to bring him in for a visit.
How to prevent Heat Stroke
On hot, humid days, keep your pets indoors. My girls usually love to stay inside on the cool tile in the kitchen. Add ice cubes to the water bowl to keep water cooler longer. This is a great idea if your Pomeranian likes to play outside and has water outdoors! Let your fuzzy romper play in a cool kid size pool!!! You will have a blast I promise!!! If your Pom will be outside for a long period of time make sure there is plenty of shaded areas he can play under!
Never leave your Pomeranian in the car, even for “just a minute.” Leaving the windows partially rolled down will not help. There are some stores that do allow dogs! Always make sure to ask, if they don’t allow dogs, just go back to the store at a later time. No need to risk locking your Pomeranian in the car!!!
Limit outside playtime to morning and late evening, when temperatures are somewhat lower. Always carry water with you when walking your Pomeranian!