Category Archives: Dogs

With the weather here set to rise near 100 (!) on Thursday, these tips seemed like the perfect reminder that pups just don’t do well in extreme heat. So courtesy of the Dane County Humane Society in Madison, Wis. here are a few symptoms of heat stroke in dogs:

-Heavy panting
-Bright red mucous membranes
-Excessive drooling or foaming at the mouth
-Whining, barking, or other anxious behavior
-Vomiting and diarrhea
-Confusion and a lack of coordination – the dog may collapse and be unable to stand
-Uncontrolled tremors
-Seizures

If you suspect your dog is suffering from heat stroke, act right away! Move the dog into the shade or into an air conditioned area. Apply cool (NOT COLD) towels to the dog’s fleshy areas — underside, armpits, and toes. Very cold water will cause the blood vessels to constrict, further preventing heat loss. Offer water, but do not force the animal to drink. Contact your veterinarian as soon as possible following an episode of suspected heat stroke to address the possibility of delayed complications, such as kidney failure.

Dogs most susceptible to heat stroke include the very young and very old, dark-colored or long-haired dogs, brachiocephalic breeds (dogs with short muzzles, such as pugs), and overweight dogs or dogs with other medical conditions. To prevent a dog from overheating, avoid excessive exercise in the heat of the day and always provide cool drinking water.

[photo via]

Last Friday was Take your Dog to Work Day I was lucky enough to bring Chicklet with me to the office. Not only was she the perfect cube mate, but we were also thrilled when we found out she would be photographed by the Chicago Tribune! You can read the full article about the city becoming more dog-friendly here if you like; it was pretty neat to be on the other end of an interview after three years of journalism school. Plus, we were interviewed by WBBM Newsradio. Not bad for a little rescue pup:) She was so pooped on the way home she could barely keep her eyes open.

[top photo by Armando Sanchez for the Tribune]

There’s nothing better than a clean pup, and since Chicklet’s wretched cone of shame finally came off yesterday, her first outing was to the Logan Square Soggy Paws (one of the best do it yourself doggie washes I’ve been to). Since Chick is so small we get a discount and she’s easy to hold down while the other washes (not such the case with Frasier:). We were in and out in less than a half hour, complete with strawberry lemonade cologne for Chick, all for just $10; just in time for Take your Dog to Work Day!