LifeLine Animal Project's Hot Weather Tips for Pets, and Meet Our Fulton Pet of the Week

Intense heat can cause the same problems for pets as it does for humans, including overheating, dehydration, sunburn and heatstroke. By taking the following precautions, you can protect your pet from the elements while still enjoying Georgia’s hot summer days.

Never Leave Your Pets in the Car

On hot or even warm, sunny days, the inside of a car heats up quickly. For example, when it’s 85 degrees outside, the temperature inside a car can climb to 102 degrees in 10 minutes and to 120 in 30 minutes, even with the windows open.

Exercise your pet during cooler times of the day

Walk your pet in the early morning or later in the evening.

Watch out for hot pavement!

Hot asphalt can cause your dog’s body to heat up quickly and burn paw pads. Determine if the pavement is too hot by using your bare hand or foot. If it’s too hot for you, it is too hot for your pet!

Bring Pets Inside

Bring your dog or cat indoors during the heat of the day. If you must keep your pets outside, provide them with a shaded shelter, and always make sure they have plenty of cool water.

Grooming

Brush your pets frequently during the summer, since this will keep them cooler. Don’t shave their hair down below an inch, since fur helps protect them from the temperatures and sun.

Heatstroke

A dog’s normal body temperature is 101 to 102.5 degrees. If their temperatures reaches 107 degrees, they can suffer brain damage or even death. Heatstroke symptoms include: excessive panting, a sudden stopping of panting, salivation, an anxious or staring expression, weakness, muscle tremors, red tongue, blue lips, vomiting, collapse or coma.

If your dog show symptoms of heatstroke, immediately do the following:

• Move the dog to a cool, shady place
• Pour cool water on him and offer him some to drink
• Fan him vigorously to promote evaporation
• Rush him to the veterinarian

DO NOT apply ice, since it will constrict blood flow and inhibit cooling.

LifeLine Animal Project’s Fulton County Pet of the Week: Dusty

Dusty is an extremely handsome four-year-old boy who was found hanging around a bus station. We’ll never know how he got there, but we do know that he is a sweet, 65 lb. chocolate Lab mix who is affectionate and does well with other dogs. He came in with a wounded eye, but it is healing quickly under our vet's care. Dusty is a bit scared at the noisy shelter, but will thrive in a loving home. He qualifies for our June “Make Waves” promotion, so his adoption fee will be waved during June, including his neuter, vaccines and microchip! Come meet this stunning boy today! Simply drop by the shelter, email adoptions@fultonanimalservices.com or call 404-613-0357. To view dogs or cats available for adoption, please visit the shelter at 860 Marietta Blvd NW, Atlanta, 30318 or go to www.fultonanimalservices.com/adopt.