06/30/2026
High Risk this week!!!! PAY attention to your dogs signs and symptoms to help prevent heat exhaustion/ Stroke Canine Services By Devin
Friendly reminder with this Heat wave happening this week! 🥵 🔥 ☀️ Frontline Companions
Protect your dogs from extreme heat this summer by adjusting their routine.
Avoid strenuous midday activities, move walks to the early morning or evening, and never leave pets unattended in a parked car.
Always provide access to fresh water and shaded relief.
I carry ICE sheets for them in a cooler to lay on or cooling blankets when you have to be out in the heat with your dog.
⚠️ Warning Signs of Heat Injuries Watch for these symptoms of overheating and heatstroke in dogs:
Excessive, heavy panting and drooling Bright red or pale/blue gums and tongue, Lethargy, weakness, or an unwillingness to walk, Vomiting, diarrhea, or confusion
💧 What to Do in an Emergency If you suspect your dog is suffering from a heat injury, take these steps immediately:
Move to safety: Get your dog out of the sun and into an air-conditioned room or a running car with the AC on.
Cool them down: Douse your dog with cool not cold water (especially around the neck, belly, and paws). Do not use ice water or ice packs, as this can cause shock. If you use Ice sheets or cooling blankets have them lay ontop of them do not cover them, if they move off of it let them and keep assessing there symptoms.
Use a fan: Turn a fan on your wet dog to promote evaporative cooling.
Offer water: Provide a small amount of cool water to drink, but do not force them to drink.
Dogs do not sweat through their skin; they cool themselves almost entirely through panting and paws.
Anatomy matters! Read below if your Canine meets this criteria as thing DO change into a higher risk!
Snouts! And Hair coats!
Short Snouts (Brachycephalic Breeds)
Examples: French Bulldogs, Pugs, Bulldogs, Boxers, Boston Terriers
High Risk: These dogs have narrowed nostrils and elongated soft palates that restrict airflow.
Inefficient Cooling: Short snouts mean less surface area in the nasal passages to cool the air they breathe.
Vicious Cycle: When hot, they pant harder, causing their airway tissues to swell. This narrows their airway further, leading to rapid respiratory distress and heatstroke.
Safety Rule: Keep these dogs indoors in air conditioning during hot days.
Limit outdoor time to quick bathroom breaks.
Long Snouts (Dolichocephalic Breeds)
Examples: Greyhounds, Collies, German Shepherds, Afghan Hounds
Efficient Cooling: Long snouts provide a large upper respiratory surface area.
Better Airflow: Air cools down significantly as it travels through the nasal passages before entering the lungs.
Lower Risk: While still vulnerable to heatstroke, they tolerate warm weather better than short-snouted breeds.
Short-Haired Dogs
Examples: Chihuahuas, Boxers, Great Danes
Fast Heat Absorption: Short coats allow environmental heat and direct sunlight to pe*****te straight to the skin quickly.
Sunburn Risk: They are highly prone to sunburn, especially on thin-furred areas like the belly and ears.
Fast Cooling: Once moved into the shade or AC, they cool down much faster than long-haired dogs because heat escapes their bodies easily.
Long-Haired & Double-Coated Dogs
Examples: Huskies, Golden Retrievers, Pomeranians, Aussies
Built-in Insulation: A healthy, brushed double coat traps a layer of cool air next to the skin, protecting them from the sun's ambient heat.
Trapped Heat: If the dog exerts itself and its core temperature rises, the thick coat acts like a winter parka, trapping that internal body heat inside.
Never Shave a Double Coat: Shaving removes their natural insulation against the heat and exposes their pale skin to severe sunburn.
The Ultimate Danger Combo
A short-snouted, long-haired/heavy-coated dog (such as a Shih Tzu or Pekingese) faces extreme danger in hot weather. They cannot pant efficiently to release heat, and their thick fur traps their rising body temperature inside.
📍 Where to Go for Help
A heatstroke is a severe medical emergency that requires prompt veterinary attention.
Primary Vet: Call your regular veterinarian immediately, as they know your pet's medical history.
Emergency Vet Clinic: If it is after hours or your vet is closed, locate your nearest 24-hour veterinary emergency and critical care center. Have their phone number saved in your phone.
You alone are the prevention and advocate for your Canines safety!
Photo 📸 credit for Tax. Jenna Michelle !
