At least several hundred dogs each year die heat related deaths. Common sense can help you avoid this dire circumstance, but let's say you get yourself (and Max) into a jam somehow with the heat, and he's in potential heat distress. Outward symptoms you should look for are: heavy panting, glazed eyes, rapid heartbeat, labored breathing, excessive thirst, lethargy, fever, dizziness, lack of coordination, profuse salivation, vomiting, a deep red or purple tongue, seizure and the last thing will be unconsciousness. Unfortunately by the time your dog is actually exhibiting some of these symptoms, it may be too late to save him, so if you think he may be on the threshold of a heatstroke, call your vet first, tell them what's going on, and that you're headed their way. This way, they'll be prepared when you get there. Then move him immediately to either the shade or preferably air conditioning, to start cooling him down. To cool his core, offer him small amounts of cool (NOT cold) water, as a large volume all at once might make him vomit. Take his temperature if possible. Naturally, this is a rectal reading (sorry). A dog's normal temperature is no higher than 102.5 degrees, so if it's to 104, you need to initiate cooling procedures, and he's already to 106, something needs to happen right NOW, as he is in real trouble. [Note: Never put water in a dog's mouth who can't swallow on his own.] Use a hose, wet towels or any other source of cool water that's handy, and concentrate on cooling his head, neck, the areas underneath his front and back legs and his foot pads. Carefully cool his tongue if possible, but don't let water run into his throat, as it could get into his lungs. If able, get Max into a tub of cool (NOT cold) water and put a fan on him if possible. Continue to check his temp every few minutes, and if it gets to or below 104 degrees, stop the cooling process. Further cooling can lead to blood clotting or a too low body temperature. At this point, load him up and head to the vet, even if he seems to be recovering. Your vet will have a number of tests to perform. If you follow some simple precautions however, you can avoid this horrific situation altogether.

A native of Louisiana, SRQ Daily Columnist Gregg Flowers owns Dog's Best Friend Dog Training Services here in Sarasota, where he "teaches dogs and trains people." Gregg became fascinated by our relationship with dogs as a boy in the '60s, and by 1985 had developed his own unique style of working with dogs and their humans

Dog's Best Friend