It's summer and the heat is on :)

Here are some important warm weather safety tips to keep those hot-dogs cool:

• Get your friend a splash pool to cool down in

• Ensure there is adequate shade or shelter to get out of the sun

• Don’t take him for a walk during the heat of the day

• Provide him with lots of drinking water & ice cubes

• Never ever leave your pet in a car

• Avoid hot surfaces

• Use flea & tick prevention

Know the signs of heat-stress and get to your vet as soon as possible.

Heat-stress can be deadly if not acted on quickly.

Signs may include the following or have the following causes

• Panting

• Dehydration

• Excessive drooling (ptyalism)

• Increased body temperature - above 39.5° C

• Reddened gums and moist tissues of the body

• Production of only small amounts of urine or no urine

• Sudden (acute) kidney failure

• Rapid heart rate

• Irregular heart beats

• Shock

• Stoppage of the heart and breathing (cardiopulmonary arrest)

• Fluid build-up in the lungs; sudden breathing distress (tachypnea)

• Blood-clotting disorder(s)

• Vomiting blood (hematemesis)

• Passage of blood in the bowel movement or stool

• Black, tarry stools

• Small, pinpoint areas of bleeding

• Generalized (systemic) inflammatory response syndrome

• Disease characterized by the breakdown of red-muscle tissue

• Death of liver cells

• Changes in mental status

• Seizures

• Muscle tremors

• Wobbly, incoordinated or drunken gait or movement (ataxia)

• Unconsciousness in which the dog cannot be stimulated to be awakened