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NEW YORK – Doctors from , a specialty and emergency veterinary hospital group located in Brooklyn, are warning pet owners of the signs of heat stroke in pets during a historically hot summer.
“New York City has been under an extreme heat advisory several times this summer, and we expect this trend to continue for the foreseeable future,” said Dr. Brett Levitzke, DVM and chief medical officer at VERG. “Extreme heat advisories are meant to warn humans of the dangers of spending too much time outside, but these heat advisories apply to our pets as well.”
Levitzke said that dogs can easily become overheated in just 10 minutes, and that pet owners should take dogs only on several short walks throughout the day, instead of one long one. He also warned against taking pets to the park in the middle of the day to play.
“Normally, we encourage exercising your pets as much as possible,” said Levitzke. “But during extreme heat, it is not the time to take your dog to the park and play ball or toss a frisbee. These activities should be limited to early mornings and evenings, and still, pet owners should be looking out for signs of heat stroke.”
Levitzke advised seeking immediate emergency care for your pet if your pet is displaying any of the following symptoms, or a combination of them.
- Excessive panting
- Reddened gums/mucous membranes
- Tachycardia (fast heart rate)
- Dehydration
- Elevated temperature (104 F and above)
- Vomiting (with or without blood)
- Diarrhea (with or without blood)
- Disorientation/stumbling
- Weakness/collapse
- Seizures
“Remember that if temperatures are uncomfortable for you, they are also uncomfortable for your pet,” said Levitzke. “Do not wait to seek emergency care if you think your pet might be experiencing heat stroke. The condition can present itself quickly, and your vigilance is crucial.”
For more information on VERG Brooklyn, visit www.VERG-Brooklyn.com.
About Veterinary Emergency & Referral Group:
Veterinary Emergency & Referral Group (VERG) was formed in 2005 by Dr. Brett Levitzke to provide emergency services and specialty medicine to the Brooklyn community and the larger tri state area. Open 24-hours, seven days a week, VERG’s team of emergency doctors, specialty doctors, technicians and assistants are dedicated to providing the highest quality of care within a nurturing environment. Their services include critical care, dermatology, emergency care, cardiology, internal medicine, surgery, neurology, oncology, radiology and more.
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