If your dog is showing the first signs of heat exhaustion, rapid breathing, rapid heart rate, the first thing you must do is remove him from the confining area. Nine times out of ten, heat exhaustion occurs while the dog is confined, whether it is in a car, crate, or doghouse.

Take the dog to shade, and soak him with cool water. Do NOT use extremely cold or iced water. This will cause blood vessels to constrict and will stop the heat from escaping.

You can apply ice packs to the areas underneath his front legs, and to the groin area for rapid blood cooling. Give your dog enough water to wet his mouth and throat, but do NOT allow your dog to drink copious amounts!

Take your dog’s temperature, this is done anally to get the most accurate reading.

Prepare your dog for transport to the nearest emergency animal clinic.

Do NOT cover your dog, even with a cold towel. This will prevent the heat from escaping.

Do NOT place him back in his crate, but keep him with you, with windows down and air conditioning on high, to allow evaporation which will aid in the cooling process.

Yes, there is also a danger that dog can become too cold. Monitor the temperatures and stop the cooling process as soon as your dog’s temperature reads normally again.

Continue on the vet’s, your dog is not saved yet!

About half way through my 500 mile drive I watched the various warning indicators illuminate one by one on my dash – battery light, ABS, airbag, on and on. About that same time my air conditioning quit, which was a huge concern since I’m very vigilant about keeping Cannon cool on any summer ride. As I was looking for an exit that indicated any type of civilization my car started lurching bit as it struggled to accelerate up a small hill. I called my hubby so someone knew just where I was and so I could talk through a plan of attack.

Just minutes later I was off the interstate, sitting in a restaurant parking lot and thinking about a tow cause my car was now not starting. My very first concern through all of this was how to keep Cannon safe and comfortable. I got him out of the hot car and into the shade. I pulled out his travel bowl and filled it with water. We hung out in the shade, called Geico for that tow which I made sure would accommodate me and an 80lb dog. We worked through which auto shop was nearby and open on a Sunday afternoon and even what hotels were close which would accommodate dogs, because who knows how long this adventure could last.

A new alternator and four hours later I was grateful for the kindness of strangers (especially the PepBoys that let Cannon and I hang out inside their shop for all that time) and for being prepared for those road side troubles you just can’t foresee. Check out the following list to keep you and your pup just a little safer if you have troubles on the road this summer.

• Keep your cellphone charged. Your car charger won’t help you if your car has no juice.
• Know who call in the case of an emergency and know their number. You may not always be close to home – does your auto insurance company provide roadside assistance?
• Carry a basic emergency kit in your vehicle. Include a flashlight for night time breakdowns.
• Pack enough water for both you and your dog to keep you hydrated for several hours. Include travel bowl for your pup… it’s funny but frustrating to get him to drink out of the bottle : )
• Travel with a leash at all times.
• Add an extra scoop or two in your dog’s travel bag. You never know when you’ll need an extra day of travel.
• Have a power bar or two in your own travel bag to keep yourself going on the road.
• Store a blanket in the car. It’s good for keeping warm on a cold day or creating shade on a hot one.

Also, we highly recommend checking out that blog post by Browns Automotive Group, it could save you and your pup a lot of stress during vacation season.

Of course, as a disclaimer, I should tell you that the data on lead content in tennis balls and dog toys is seriously debated. I mean, no one agrees on how much lead is safe for dogs and, not surprisingly, this area is not regulated for pets. Plus, what might be OK for a St. Bernard could be bad for a Chihuahua. Ugh!

But here is one thing on which most will agree. Toys made in China contain more lead (and other chemicals) than those made in other countries, especially the US where lead is a no-no. As for tennis balls, unfortunately those sold at pet store chains were singled out to be the worst (tennis ball) offenders.

Here are a few datapoints (thanks to the magazine, Animal Wellness):

• In 2007, Texas lab ExperTox tested toys from Wal-Mart and found lead, chromium, arsenic, cadmium and mercury.
• According to the article and Dr. Sharon Gwaltney, Vice President of the ASPCA’s Animal Poision Control Center, lead is trouble. It can cause abnormal behavior, vomiting, diarrhea, hiding in dark places, convulsions, anemia, weight loss and, if untreated, death.

Seriously?

The article goes on to present the “other side” of the argument saying that there is still no “proof” that certain levels of lead cause harm, and, of course, not every dog is affected.

So now what?

I hate to say it, but avoid made in China products whenever possible. If you have questions, check the product’s website. Painted items are going to be the worst offenders. Toys made in the US and Europe are manufactured under the toughest standards so try to find those.

Unfortunately, you’ll be hard pressed to find a can of tennis balls made in the US, but try. And PLEASE let us know if you find any!

This fabulous poster was sponsored by the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation and was reprinted from the Merck Veterinary Manual, 8th ed., 1998. The poster is available for purchase and the information is also available online.

The following is simply a list of the plants, but the poster also provides information on habit/distribution, affected animals, important characteristics, toxic principles and effects and treatment.

• Agave Americana: aka Century Plant, American aloe
• Aglaonema modestrum: aka Chinese evergreen, Painted drop tongue
• Agrostemma githago: aka Corn cockle
• Allium cepa, A canadense: aka Onion (cultivated & wild)
• Aloe barbadensis: aka Barbados aloe, Curacao aloe
• Apocynum: aka Dogbanes
• Asclepias: aka Milkweeds
• Brunfelsia pauciflora var floribunda: aka Yesterday-today-and-tomorrow, Lady of the night
• Caladium: aka Fancy leaf caladium, Angel wings
• Cannabis sativa: aka Mary Jane, Marijuana, Grass, Pot (you know the slang!)
• Capsicum annuum: aka Cherry pepper, Chili pepper, Ornamental pepper, Capsicum
• Cestrum diurnum, C nocturnum: aka Day-blooming Jessamine & Night-blooming Jessamine, respectively
• Chlorophytum: aka Spider plant, St. Bernards’s lily, Airplane plant
• Cicuta: aka Water hemlock
• Colchium autumnale lilaceae: aka Autumn crocus, Crocus, Fall crocus, Meadow saffron, Wonder bulb
• Conium maculatum: aka Poison hemlock
• Convallaria majalis: aka Lily-of-the-valley, Conval lily, Mayflower
• Crotalaria: aka Rattlebox
• Cyclamen: aka Snowbread, Shooting Star
• Datura stamonium: aka Jimson weed, Thorn apple
• Daubentonia punicea: aka Rattlebox, Purple sesbane
• Dieffenbachia: aka Dumbcane
• Digitalis purpurea: aka Foxglove
• Dracaena: aka Dragon tree
• Euphorbia pulcherrima: aka Poinsettia, Christmas flower, Christmas star
• Gelsemium sepervirens: aka Yellow jessamine, Evening trumpet flower, Carolina jessamine
• Hyacinthus: aka Hyacinths
• Ilex aquifolium: aka English holly, European holly
• Kalanchoe: aka Air plant, Cathedral bells
• Kalmia: aka Laurel, Ivybush, Lambkill
• Lilium longi florm: aka Easter lily, Trumpet lily
• Nerium oleander: aka Oleander
• Persea Americana: aka Avocado pear, Alligator pear
• Philodendron
• Phoradendron flavescens: aka Mistletoe
• Ricinus commusis: aka Castor bean
• Rhododendron: aka Azalea
• Sansevieria: aka Snake plant, Mother-in-law’s tongue
• Schefflera: aka Umbrella Tree
• Sesbania: vesicara: aka Bladderpod, Rattlebox, Sesbane, Coffeebean
• Solanum pseudocapsicum: aka Jerusalem cherry
• Solanum: aka Nightshades, Jerusalem cherry, Potato, Horse nettle, Buffalo Bur
• Sorghum vulgare: aka Sudan grass, Kafir, Durra, Milo, Broomcorn, Schrock
• Taxus: aka Yew
• Xanthium: aka Cocklebur
• Zamia pumila: aka Coontie, Florida arrowroot, Seminole bread, Cycad

This is the third and final blog in our “beating the heat

There are ways you can prevent heat stroke from happening in the first place.

• NEVER leave your dog alone in the car on a warm day, regardless of whether the windows are open. Even if the weather outside is not extremely hot, the inside of the car acts like an oven – temperatures can rise to dangerously high levels in a matter of minutes.
• Avoid vigorous exercise on warm days. When outside, opt for shady areas.
• Keep fresh cool water available at all times.
• Certain types of dogs are more sensitive to heat – especially obese dogs and brachycephalic (short-nosed) breeds, like Pugs and Bulldogs. Use extreme caution when these dogs are exposed to heat.

Some dogs can recover fully from heat stroke if it is caught early enough. Others suffer permanent organ damage and require lifelong treatment. Sadly, many dogs do not survive heat stroke. Prevention is the key to keeping your dog safe during warmer weather.

This is a continuation of our three-part

If you have even the slightest suspicion that your dog is suffering from heat stoke, you must take immediate action.

1. First, move your dog out of the heat and away from the sun right away.

2. Begin cooling your dog by placing cool, wet rags or washcloths on the body – especially the foot pads and around the head.

3. DO NOT use ice or very cold water! Extreme cold can cause the blood vessels to constrict, preventing the body’s core from cooling and actually causing the internal temperature to further rise. In addition, over-cooling can cause hypothermia, introducing a host of new problems. When the body temperature reaches 103°, stop cooling.

4. Offer your dog cool water, but do not force water into your dog’s mouth.

5. Call or visit your vet right away – even if your dog seems better. Internal damage might not be obvious to the naked eye, so an exam is necessary (and further testing may be recommended).

Tip: recruit others to help you – ask someone to call the vet while others help you cool your dog.

And I realized that sometimes you just can’t write something any better than someone else already has done. In this case, thanks to About.com and Jenna Stregowski, RVT for helping us understand avoid heat problems!

To make this blog-friendly, I have broken this article into sections. Please forward to your friends and remember that the safety of our dogs is more important than our desire for a long walk or day in the sun!!!

What is Hyperthermia?

Hyperthermia is a term describing an elevation in body temperature. This increase typically occurs as a response to a trigger, such as inflammation in the body or a hot environment. When a dog is exposed to high temperatures, heat stroke or heat exhaustion can result. Heat stroke is a very serious condition that requires immediate medical attention. Once the signs of heat stroke are detected, there is precious little time before serious damage – or even death – can occur.

Dogs do not sweat through their skin like humans – they release heat primarily by panting and they sweat through the foot pads and nose. If a dog cannot effectively expel heat, the internal body temperature begins to rise. Once the dog’s temperature reaches 106°, damage to the body’s cellular system and organs may become irreversible. Unfortunately, too many dogs succumb to heat stroke when it could have been avoided. Learn how to recognize the signs of heat stroke and prevent it from happening to your dog.

Signs of Heat Stroke

The following signs may indicate heat stroke in a dog:

• Increased rectal temperature (over 104° requires action, over 106° is a dire emergency)
• Vigorous panting
• Dark red gums
• Tacky or dry mucus membranes (specifically the gums)
• Lying down and unwilling (or unable) to get up
• Collapse and/or loss of consciousness
• Thick saliva
• Dizziness or disorientation

Dr. Joellen Gregory met us in reception and Karma was excited to see his “Aunt Joey.” We went on a quick tour of the impressive clinic that boasts its own lab, groomer, mini-store, multiple exam rooms, separate cat and dog kennels and an impressive collection of frozen sperm! The clinic hosts puppy classes and is situated on a beautiful wooded lot.

Karma is not a good or willing patient! He even growled when Dr. Gregory started to look at his teeth – please! We got through the ear check and managed to draw his blood without drawing any of ours! He drew the line at checking his temperature and we let it go. Dr. Gregory did say that he could stand to lose a few pounds – from a current weight of 93 to an even 90 pounds.

The great thing about having an on-site lab is the results come back in minutes. Karma is testing positive for the Lyme antibody after two years so he has to be on Doxycycline for 30 days. After that he will get his first Lyme vaccine and a booster to follow. Along with the Doxy, Karma will take FortiFlora, a probiotic to help keep the good bacteria present and ease any stomach discomfort caused by the antibiotic. Dr. Gregory tells me FortiFlora is also a good thing to have on hand for upset stomachs and diarrhea.

Karma also received his Bordetella vaccine because he is in contact with so many other dogs between classes and dog trials. And because we hike and camp, he received the Lepto vaccine to protect him from 4 of the 27 serovars of disease caused by the Spirochete Leptospira. This disease is carried in the urine of both domestic and wild animals easily encountered when hiking. He will need a booster of this one in 30 days when we go back for his Lyme vaccine.

We will go back in 30 days so stay tuned!

It is also usually staffed with some really helpful people who can direct you, teach you and give you great information about the park. Maps, phones and firewood are usually staples at the Way Station.

So today we launch our Way Station page and intend for it to evolve into that same type of invaluable resource. We are preparing checklists, compiling favorite links, providing directions and more. This home page will still be the first place for new content, but before you head out on a hike or camping trip, be sure to click to the Way Station to make sure you have everything.

As always, if you have something to add or need a resource not listed, we want to hear about it!

That yellow thing in the photo is called an eGGe and it’s even better than a soccer ball! Karma can’t “cheat” by picking it up because it’s made of hard plastic. And when he pounces on it, the eGGe sort of “squirts” away because of its irregular shape and the game is on! We originally tried it out in snow and the eGGe travels even faster on the white stuff! The downside is it doesn’t kick quite the same way as a soccer ball – ha! – unless you have some seriously hard-toed shoes. Oh, and when you throw it, make sure you don’t accidentally hit your boy in the face (not that I would ever do that!).

His new fashion accessory with the red trim is a K9 Kool Coat. As you know from previous posts, Karma’s generous coat makes him melt in the heat. When I say heat, I mean anything over 75 degrees! Ha! The coat is made of a mesh fabric that breathes while it reflects the sun. The added bonus is you can wet the coat and it increases the cooling properties. I like it much better than RuffWear’s Swamp Cooler as this one doesn’t trap the moisture and thus heat up. It worked really well after Karma played fetch with the Border Collies and got overheated – he cooled down faster in his new duds! I’m sold!