Beat the Heat: In a Fur Coat?

From fireworks to over-100-degree weather, our furry friends haven't gotten a break this July.

Just like people, dogs can suffer from heat stroke.  And just like people, dogs can die from it. 

Dr. Joseph Zuckerman, a veterinarian at Village Animal Clinic in Ardsley, took a few moments from his especially-busy day treating dogs with fireworks-induced post-traumatic stress  diarrhea  to offer some hot weather advice for dog owners.

Zuckerman recommends dogs be kept inside air-conditioned spaces during the next few days, and be provided consistently with full bowls of cool water.

However, despite the common belief that dogs should be shaved in the summer, Zuckerman warns owners to rethink the razor.

"Dog fur, which acts as an insulator against cold temperatures, also traps inside cool air to help dogs regulate heat," Zuckerman said. "So shaving can actually be detrimental."

Dogs with light-colored fur and skin are also vulnerable to sunburn, which is another reason he warns against shaving. 

Because dogs have no jobs, jam-packed summer camp schedules or any human compulsion to accomplish great physical feats despite infernal heat, they are often listless and lethargic in the summer.

Zuckerman said this behavior is normal, but if a usually-lively dog does not perk up during cooler hours, he said it might be worth calling a veterinarian.

Conscientious pet-owners should aim to walk dogs early in the morning or late at night—no running—when temperatures have come down.

But the biggest warm-weather form of doggy-abuse, Zuckerman said, is leaving your pet in a parked car.

"A car can become like an oven within two minutes," he said. 

Canine signs of overheating include: excessive panting, salivation and redness around the ears. 

"And if your dog collapses, you should take him to a vet immediately," Zuckerman said. "That can be very dangerous."