Dog Heatstroke Prevention and Treatment

With temperatures in the triple digits in many parts of the country, pet owners need to be extra vigilant about keeping their animals cool.

Dogs are much more prone than people to develop heatstroke, because they are only able to sweat through their foot pads and can cool off only by panting. Even the healthiest of dogs can succumb to heat-related illnesses if pushed too hard or left in a confined space. Dogs with medical problems are even more vulnerable.

Help keep your pooch safe with these tips from the Humane Society of the United States, and veterinarian Ira Roth, director of the Community Practice Clinic at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine.

Protecting Your Dog From the Heat. Here are three things to keep in mind during these intense summer days:

Limit time outside. During extreme temperatures, it's a good idea for everyone -- man and beast -- to be inside if they can. But short-nosed dog breeds who naturally have more trouble breathing -- such as Boston terriers, pugs, English bulldogs, or boxers -- should be kept in air-conditioned rooms as much as possible. The same goes for dogs with renal or cardiac failure, or other health disorders, says Roth. If you can't keep your dog inside, make sure it has ready access to fresh water and shade, like in a dog house.

Reduce physical activity. Keep exercise short with just a walk in the early morning or evening hours. Taking your dog out to "do his business," or letting him walk with you to the mailbox in the middle of the day is probably fine. But it's easy to overexert a dog without realizing it, Roth says."If your daily routine is to come home and throw the ball and play catch for a while, you want to eliminate that or drastically reduce it," Roth tells Paw Nation. "Dogs will push themselves to exhaustion." It's up to you to recognize when your pet has had enough activity.

Never leave a dog in car: We know you've heard this before but we will say it again and again because even if you're parked in the shade, the inside of your car can quickly reach 120 degrees. "Pets who are left in hot cars even briefly can suffer from heat exhaustion, heat stroke, brain damage, and can even die. Don't think that just because you'll be gone 'just a minute' that your pet will be safe while you're gone," the Humane Society of the United States says in its Summer Care Tips guide. Also, don't leave your dog in the back of a pickup truck. The bed can get hot enough to scorch a dog's feet or belly.

What to Do if Your Dog Becomes Overheated, Quick action is the key to treating your pet.

If you suspect heatstroke, call your vet immediately. If your dog is panting excessively, staggering, seems disoriented or has reddish-purple gums your pet is in serious trouble. Fast treatment is critical to avoid life-threatening complications like blood-clotting abnormalities or multiorgan failure, Roth says. "Time will be an important factor," Roth says. "Many [overheated dogs] will die even with very, very aggressive treatment."Cool your dog down. After contacting your vet, the Humane Society recommends that you move your pet to the shade or an air-conditioned area. Apply cool (not cold) water over his body to gradually lower his core body temperature. Apply cold towels or ice packs to your pet's head, neck, and chest only. Let your pet drink small amounts of water or lick ice cubes. By staying alert and taking action quickly, you can keep your dog safe. Of course not all pet owners will be as vigilant as you so if you see a pet in a car alone during the hot summer months, alert the management of the store where the car is parked, and if the owner doesn't return, call local animal control or the police department.

Save a life!! Become a foster parent :)

Spring has sprung and puppy and kitten season is here in full force! We at Pupz N Palz Rescue depend on foster homes and without them we would be lost. The foster home is truly the heartbeat of our Pupz N Palz Rescue. Although there are many ways to volunteer, the most needed help is fostering. By becoming a foster parent, you literally are saving the lives of the animals you foster! As you look at the list of adoptable pets we have available, just think of the one that we could not save due to a lack of foster homes.

We get request daily to take in everything from adult dogs, puppies, kittens, cats and even recently 2 pet rats!! Sadly, we turn down more that we accept.

If you would like to be part of the solution, consider becoming a foster parent! It's rewarding, it's fun and at times it's really frustrating, but well worth the effort when you consider that you are saving lives.

Below is our foster application, please fill one out and submit it today!

Not sure if you want to become a foster parent? Shoot us an e-mail, leave us your contact information and one of our volunteers will get back to you to tell you about the program, the pro's and con's and answer any questions you may have.

Pupz N Pals Foster Application/Agreement
　
Please read before submitting your application.

As a foster family I agree to provide nutritious meals, fresh water, grooming, a safe environment, and appropriate shelter for this foster dog. I will not leave my foster dog tied up ever.. I will never leave my foster dog unattended in a vehicle when it is 70 degrees or hotter, even with the windows rolled down. I understand that this can cause heat stroke and the death of a dog. I agree to arrange my family’s schedule so that the dog is seldom left alone for more than eight hours at a stretch. I agree to play with, pet and give attention to my foster dog when I am home. I agree to let Pupz N Palz know if there is any change in the health of the dog and will get clearance before I get anything other then emergency care for my foster dog. I will check my foster dog regularly for any signs of illness. I will do frequent flea and tick checks on my foster dog.

I will give a firm "NO!" or shake coins in a can to let my foster dog know that he is exhibiting bad behavior. I will NEVER hit my foster dog. I understand that dog trainers acknowledge that this is an ineffective way of changing bad behavior. I will seek to modify behavior by praising the behavior that I desire. I agree to consult with Pupz N Palz, dog care books or videos from the library if I am experiencing any behavior difficulties with my foster dog. I will closely supervise my dog when around children (especially children, or adults, he/she is not familiar with). I will closely monitor my foster dog when near roadways or water, when riding in a vehicle (preferably the dog should be in a dog crate during car travel) and in any other situation which is potentially dangerous to my foster dog. I will have my foster dog wear an identification tag with a phone number at all times. I agree to any home visits needed, as determined by Pupz N Palz. I will relinquish the dog upon request.

I understand that Pupz N Palz does its best to evaluate a dog’s temperament and behavior. I will not hold Pupz N Palz liable for any damage the dog does. Pupz N Palz is concerned about the health of the animals in its care and exercises due caution to prevent the transmission of diseases. Unless you are notified otherwise, the animals you foster will have been given preventive immunizations. However, because of the dire circumstances from which many of the rescue animals come, any animal may carry or could have already been exposed to an infectious disease, which may not be apparent for several days. Pupz N Pals cannot warrant or guarantee the foster dog is healthy or good-natured. Any animal has the potential to bite or cause injury. You have determined for yourself the animal is acceptable for you and your household to foster, and you agree to indemnify and hold Pupz N Palz, Pupz N Palz volunteers and other Pupz N Palz representatives harmless for any illness the animal may develop and any injury or damage this foster dog may cause once you have taken possession of the animal. By signing below, you acknowledge that you have read, understand and agree to all terms laid out in the two pages of this contract

***If you are in agreement to these terms, please complete the form below e-mail it to PUPZNPALS@AOL.COM or fax your application form to 209-571-8662.

***If Pupz N Palz is forced to retain an attorney in enforcing this contract, recipient agrees to pay Pupz N Palz’s reasonable attorney’s fees, compensate for time, gas and any other costs incurred in same.
DOG RESCUE FOSTER HOME APPLICATION / CONTRACT
Name:
Phone:
Address:
City:
Zip:
Major Cross Streets:
E-mail Address
Alternate E-mail Address
Place of Work:
What Type of Work do You Do?
Name of Employer:
Names and Numbers of 3 people who will always know how to contact you
Name
Relationship
(H)
(W)
Name
Relationship
(H)
(W)
Name
Relationship
(H)
(W)
What makes you want to foster a pet now

What kinds of pets have you previous had

What happened to them

What is the longest you have owned a pet

Do you know how to crate train a pet
Yes No
Do you know basic dog obedience techniques?
Yes No
Please describe any training/experience you have had in handling animals:


Do your pets have licenses/identification/microchips?
Yes No
Please list the pets you now have in your home:
TYPE OF PET
AGE
(FE)MALE
SPAYED/NEUTERED
DATE/TYPE OF VACCINATION
SUBMISSIVE/DOMINANT

Do you have children

Ages

Are your children trained to handle animals gently?

Will the children be closely supervised while with your foster dog?

Who will be the primary foster caretaker for the dog?

Who will feed, water, and walk the dog ?

Is everyone aware of the amount of time and attention a dog needs?

What is the family schedule like?


How long will the foster dog be left alone?

Where will you keep the dog when no one is home?

Do you live in a house/apartment/other?

Do you rent or own?

If you rent, do you have permission in writing from the owner/manager to keep a dog?

What is the pet weight limit?

Do you have a secure, fenced in yard?

What type of fence?

How high?

How big is the yard?

Do you have a covered, shaded area in the yard or a dog house?

Do you have a doggie door?

What will you do if your foster dog knocks over a plant or chews something in your home?

What if your foster dog turns out to be a "barker"?

What if your pet plays roughly/is aggressive?

What will you do if your foster dog has a potty accident?

What do you plan to do if the foster dog does not work out in your home?

What types of dogs or cats would you like to foster?

Are you willing to attend dog obedience classes or seminars offered by DOG RESCUE?

Do you or any of your family members have any known allergies to dogs

By signing below, I am acknowledge that the above statements are true and correct. I further acknowledge that I nor has anyone in my household or who would be in contact with the foster dog has ever been accused of or convicted of a crime against an animal.


___________________________ ___________2010
Signature Date