Temperatures are on the rise and while you should take precautions to stay cool and hydrated, you also need to think about pets that can have trouble with soaring temperatures as well.

16 Saturday Morning’s Pet Vet, Dr. David Visser, has some helpful tips on caring for pets in hot weather.

On hot summer days, a dog or cat can be stressed to the point of physical illness just because of the heat.

A pet would last only for a short while in a parked car, even with the windows rolled partially down. Temperatures inside of a car can reach 120-160 degrees in just 15 minutes. Many times, it is better to simply leave the pets at home.

But pets can also have troubles outside in the yard. With heat indexes near triple-digits, pets can get heat stress outside, even if there is shade.

Heat stress is called hyperthermia and there are some really important signs to look for:

• Most pets will begin panting excessively as one of the earliest signs. It becomes quite vigorous when body temperature rises.
  
• As pets become weak and exhausted, they become unwilling to rise.
  
• Distress and dehydration causes saliva and nasal secretions to become thick and that results in froth from the nose or mouth.
  
• Late stages of heat stress when circulation is failing, result in muscles that tie up becoming rigid and painful.

Remember not only are they wearing a fur coat, but they also have very limited ways of cooling themselves. Panting is about all they have. Therefore, it is extremely important to provide outside pets with a few basic survival items in this heat.

• Shade is crucial, but remember that areas shaded in the morning could be full sun by the afternoon.
  
• A heavy bowl with water is hard to tip over and a block of ice can keep the water cool. You can also leave a sprinkler on.
  
• Air circulation can be enhanced with a fan on the porch or near the dog’s bed to aid cooling. Beware of outdoor electrical risks, however.
  
• Remember that dogs like to dig cooling holes in the yard this time of the year – That’s normal, so make sure it is available.
  
• Give your dog a cool water shower 2-3 times a day if needed.

Just remember, though, that flies like to bother pets that are down and wet. So when possible, it’s ideal to bring them inside instead of spending hot days outdoors.

If you suspect your pet has heat exhaustion, remember time is of the essence and to follow these quick steps:

• Remove the pet from the hot environment – either take them to the shade or indoors.
  
• No ice or cold water should be applied to the body and don’t give anything by mouth initially.
  
• After cooling the body with cool (not cold) water and applying rubbing alcohol to the footpads and armpits, cool water can then be offered by mouth in frequent small amounts.
  
• And, call your veterinarian to seek medical care, even if it seems like all is ok. Damage to organs, and clotting problems often occur 24-48 hours after heat stress.

Dog owners should also be careful when out on walks.

Remember to bring plenty of fresh water and a dish, but, most importantly, choose a safe time of day for those walks. Hot pavement will burn and blister your dog’s foot pads, and you may not know the extent of it for 2-3 days at which time painful limping starts.

If you want to contact the Pet Vet, Dr. David Visser, you can reach him at the Roseland Animal Hospital by calling 574-272-6100 or at the Center for Animal Health by calling 888-PETS-VETS.

You can also shoot him an email at MichianaPetVet@comcast.net.