During the hot summer months, it is very important to keep your dog cool. Dogs can overheat very quickly; it can take only a couple of minutes for a dog to overheat. Your dog's normal body temperature ranges between 100 and 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit and when his/her body temperature elevates above 106 F, his/her normal cooling mechanisms become overwhelmed, which can result in a serious condition which may require medical attention. High temperatures can lead to dehydration and blood thickening which puts extreme strain on the heart and results in blood clotting and subsequent death of the tissue. The first to be affected are the liver, brain and the intestinal cells.

Certain breeds of dogs are more prone to heat related problems than others. Large and double-coated breeds like the Chow Chow are very susceptible to overheating. Malamutes, Huskies, American Eskimos and Newfoundlands which prefer colder climates often have little tolerance for heat and humidity and should not be kept in very hot climates. Bulldogs, Pugs, Shar-Peis and Boston Terriers or any breeds with shorter muzzles have harder time coping with heat because of their short and narrow respiratory systems. Symptoms of a heat stroke:

• Bright red tongue
• Coma
• Diarrhea
• Rapid and frantic panting
• Staggering
• Thick saliva
• Vomiting
• Wide eyes

To prevent your dog from getting a heat stroke, here are some things you can do: 

• Keep the dog in a shaded, cool, and well-ventilated area during the hot hours of the day; dogs can also get sunburn on their ears, eyelids and nose from too much exposure to the sun (white and lightly colored dogs are more prone to sunburn); sunburn can eventually lead to skin cancer; use sunscreen that is approved for dogs and pets.
• Provide plenty of fresh and cold drinking water throughout the day.
  
• Limit the amount of exercise; exercise the dog early in the morning while it is still not too hot; hot pavement can burn the pads on the dog's feet.
• A haircut in the summer can help dog breeds with a long or double coat to relieve heat stress.
• Do not leave your dog in a parked car unattended even if it is for only a few minutes! The temperature inside the car can rise very quickly (reaching 120 F in as little as 10 minutes), especially if the car is in the sun and there is high humidity.
• Setup a small wading pool in the shade where your dog can refresh and cool down.
• If you are going for a walk with your dog or to the park, bring a bottle (handheld portable dog water bottles are great as they also include a dispenser tray - you can find one here:  Lixit Thirsty Dog Portable Water Bottle / Bowl) of cold water with you. You never know when they will need it, especially if they run a lot.
• If you are at the beach, make sure you let your dog go for a swim every hour or so which will keep him/her cool.