South African summers are renowned for their heat.<\/p>\n
Humans and dogs can easily suffer from heat stroke during the hotter months.<\/p>
It is important to note that dogs are not as efficient at releasing heat as we are; they are built to conserve rather than release heat and tend to heat up faster than humans do.<\/p>\n
As such, we may not be aware of the fact that a dog has become overheated until symptoms suddenly develop.<\/p>
Heat stroke in dogs is a very serious condition and its onset can be sudden, escalating into an emergency situation in a matter of minutes.<\/p>\n
Watch out for these tell-tale signs that your pets are overheating:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 Heavy panting<\/p>\n \u2022 Excessive thirst<\/p>\n \u2022 Glazed eyes<\/p>\n \u2022 Vomiting and bloody diarrhoea<\/p>\n \u2022 Bright or dark red gums and tongue<\/p>\n \u2022 Staggering<\/p>\n \u2022 Elevated body temperature<\/p>\n \u2022 Weakness<\/p>\n \u2022 Increased heart rate<\/p>\n \u2022 Excessive drooling<\/p>\n \u2022 Seizures<\/p>\n \u2022 Unconsciousness<\/p>\n You can treat heat stroke by:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 Removing the dog from the heat.<\/p>\n \u2022 Allow the dog to drink cool water.<\/p>\n \u2022 Cool the dog with water.<\/p>\n \u2022 Place rubbing alcohol on the pads of the dog\u2019s paws.<\/p>\n \u2022 Contact your veterinarian.<\/p>\n Remember not to cover or confine the dog. You can wipe the dog down with cool, damp towels, but do not drape the towels over the dog as this can trap in the dog\u2019s body heat.<\/p>\n Similarly, do not place the dog in a closed crate that will hold the heat from his body in around his body. Rather place the dog on a cool tile floor and have a fan blow air over the animal.<\/p>\n Hav<\/strong>e a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>or Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>or Kgotsofalang Mashilo (journalist)\u00a0kgotsofalangm@caxton.co.za<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Remember to visit the Germiston City News on the following social media platforms:<\/p>\n Facebook<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Twitter<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Instagram<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n YouTube<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Or add the GCN on\u00a0<\/b><\/span>WhatsApp 079 406 1181<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>or\u00a0BBM (BBM Pin: 7F102137)<\/strong>\u00a0<\/b><\/span>today, to get all the latest news.<\/p>\n Catch-up on more local news with our sister newspapers\u00a0<\/span>Bedfordview Edenvale News<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0<\/span>Alberton Record<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Kempton Express<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\nALSO READ: Meet the dedicated Germiston SPCA team<\/a><\/h4>\n