The Heat Mizer is definetely dictating this summer.  With heat indices consistently over 100 degrees the past few days, it’s been tough trying to find ways to stay cool.

But what about our furry family members that can’t exactly tell us if they’re too hot?

Mark Stenstrom, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, says that finding a balance between keeping an active pet and avoiding a heat related incident is a delicate matter.

“I don’t care how good of shape you or your dog is in, don’t take them on rigorous exercise activities during the day. I see people out running in the middle of the day with their dogs and they’re asking for problems with themselves and they’re asking for problems with their pets,” said Stenstrom.

Stenstrom advises active pet owners to be especially cautious with brachycephalic dog breeds – the breeds with the little, short faces like bulldogs, boston terriers, and shih tzus.

“Their ability to dissipate heat through panting is limited at best,” Stenstrom warns. “Those dogs can get in to a heat stroke situation in just a few minutes outside when the weather is like this.”

While many pet owners keep their dogs in their homes, there are some dogs that are primarily kept outside.

Dr. Stenstrom advises that even even outdoor dogs should be temporarily brought indoors to avoid the heat.

“Even outdoor dogs that are used to being outside, with the extreme temperatures that we are experiencing right now, they are at an increased of heat exhaustion, heat stroke,” says Stenstrom.

The Doctor of Veterinary Medicine suggests that outdoor dogs should only be outside “early morning, late evening hours for any length of time; but during the heat of the day, only for very short trips to use the bathroom.”

With our busy and sometimes hectic lifestyles, it may be difficult to accomodate an outside dog in your home. In instances like these Dr. Stenstrom has some tips to keep them safe.

“If a dog has to be outside, it needs to have shade, and plenty of fresh, cool water – and that water needs to be changed multiple times a day so that they’re not drinking 105 degree water either because that really limits their ability to dissipate heat,” says Stenstrom.

The heat can be a scary situation for your furry family members, so here are some signs of a heat stroke/heat exhaustion in your pet:

• Dazed or confused demeanor in dogs
• Dog may be in a state of collapse
• Rapid, uncontrollable panting, mouth open
• Gums and other mucus membranes will be dry and warm to the touch instead of being moist

“If [they] proceed to that level, they need immediate medical care,” says Stenstrom. “The best way to treat heat stroke is to not have it in the first place – keep [them] inside, keep them cool, keep them quiet with lots of water.”

Mark Stenstrom, Doctor of Veterinary of Medicine works at Animal Care Clinic at 106 N. Eisenhower in Junction City.