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San Antonio Humane Society
4804 Fredericksburg Rd.
San Antonio, TX 78229communication@SAhumane.org
210-226-7461
Open: Every day: 12pm - 7pm
Directions
Ways to Donate
Hot Weather Tips to avoid emergency situations and heatstroke in pets
• If your dog is not used to exercise, go slow and ease into it. Just because your pet used to jog in the fall doesn’t mean he’s ready for summer. Make sure exercise becomes part of the daily routine to keep them healthy.
• Exercise early in the morning and late evening when it is a bit cooler. Avoid the midday heat. It can be dangerous.
• Be careful of pad burns on hot pavement and metal surfaces, this can make your pet uncomfortable and/or sensitive. If possible, try to walk on the grass or buy booties.
• Offer small amounts of fresh cool (without ice) water frequently during the walk. Make sure plenty of water is available in an unspillable container throughout the day.
• During the walk watch your pet for signs of tiring and too much panting. Panting with the tongue out of his mouth completely tells you it’s time for a break.
• Try to walk in areas where there is shade.
• Always provide a vast amount of fresh water for your pet. If possible a separate larger container to lie/play in is better.
• If your pet must be outdoors, put the water bowl in the shade and check on it throughout the day to refill.
• Some dogs love having their own kiddie pool in the yard to cool off in.
• Use a hose or if you can let your pet swim (if your pet knows how to swim) in a lake or pool to become thoroughly wet before heading out on a walk. Evaporation will help keep your pet cool. Be sure to wet all layers of the coat, this is especially important for double-coated breeds, such as Retrievers, for maximum cooling.
• Signs of heat stroke include (but are not limited to): body temperatures of 105-110F degrees; excessive fast and desperate panting; dark or bright red tongue and gums; staggering; seizures; bloody diarrhea or vomiting; coma; or death. It is good to learn how to take your pet’s temperature in the event of an emergency.
• The short-nosed breeds, like Bulldogs and Pugs, large heavy-coated or dark colored breeds, and those dogs with heart or respiratory problems are more at risk for heat stroke.
• If you believe your pet has a heat stroke, seek veterinary attention immediately! Use cool water, not ice water, to cool your pet off. Very cold water will cause constriction of the blood vessels and slow down cooling. Do not aid cooling below 103 F degrees - some animals can actually get Hypothermic, or too cold. Offer ice cubes for the pet to lick on until you can reach your veterinarian. Use rubbing alcohol on pads of feet and throat if a water hose is not available.
• Just because your pet has cooled down and seems OK, do NOT assume everything is fine. Seek veterinary care immediately. Heat stroke can cause damage to kidneys, liver and heart long after the temperature has been brought back down.
• Do not assume your pet knows when to stop! Dogs with no “quitter” like healers, jack russels, and other “hyper” dogs can run themselves into a heat stroke or exhaustion without hesitation. Always make sure you have control of your pet during times of extreme temperatures.
Bark! Bark! Bark!
Canine Rivalry
Children and Dogs: Important Information for Parents
Crate Training Your Dog
Dealing with Normal Puppy Behavior Nipping and Rough Play
Dealing with Normal Puppy Chewing
Destructive Chewing
Developmental Stages Of Puppy Behavior
Dog Bite Prevention and Treatment
Dog Toys And How To Use Them
Dominance in Dogs
Heartworm Information
Housetraining Your Puppy
How to Solve the Digging Problem
How to Use a Head Halter
Helping Your Dog Overcome the Fear of Startling Noises
Inside or Out Making Your Dog Part of the Family
Introducing Your New Dog To Your Resident Dog
Keeping Your Dog Confined To Your Property
New Puppy Dog Supplies
Newborn Puppies - How to take care of them
Nothing in Life is Free
Puppy & Dog Care
Re-Housetraining Your Adult Dog
Sample Aversives for Dogs
Separation Anxiety
Submissive and Excitement Urination
The Canine Escape Artist
The Educated Dog
The Fearful Dog
Understanding Aggressive Behavior In Dogs
Why Dogs Bite - A Guideline For Children
Aversives For Cats
Cat Toys And How To Use Them
Choosing a Kitten
Destructive Scratching in Cats
Developmental Stages Of Kitten Behavior
Discouraging Roaming Cats
Feline Social Behavior and Aggression Between Family Cats
Indoors is Best
Introducing Your New Cat To Your Other Pets
Managing Your Kitten's Rough Play
Newborn Kittens - How to take care of them
Allergies in Pets!
Moving With Your Pet
Pet Theft Prevention
Preparing Your Pet For Baby's Arrival
Successful Cleaning to Remove Pet Odors and Stains
To Spay or Neuter
Travel Tips
Territorial Marking Behavior In Dogs And Cats
Unusual Eating Habits In Dogs And Cats
Vaccination Guidelines
Quality of Life to the End of Life (By Alice E. Villalobos, D.V.M., DPNAP)
All Pet Care Tips (PDF files only unless otherwise indicated) are Copyright 2000, to Denver Dumb Friends League and Humane Society of the United States. All rights reserved.
Important information!