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Saturday, July 31, 2010 – Daily News – 7A Give a dog a drink, and don't let it overheat By LESLIE GARCIA Dallas Morning News (MCT) If you exercise outside, you know how miserably hot it is. Imagine doing so without hav- ing enough water, or being heat- acclimated, or being able to go indoors when you want. Now you have an idea of what your pet might deal with. "They can overheat so quick- ly," says Maura Davies, senior director of communications for the SPCA of Texas. "We had a sad situation recently where someone had taken a dog run- ning in the heat of the day. The dog got heat exhaustion and passed away. It was awful. It broke that person's heart, and it broke ours." Davies and Tricia Brack- sieck, a 22-year vet technician and hospital manager for VCA Pet Doctor in Richardson, Texas, offer these tips for keeping pets safe: illness. • Watch for symptoms of heat Excessive panting, listless eyes and gasping for air are all telltale signs, Bracksieck says. "Like humans, it comes on when they're not fully hydrated and don't have enough shade," she says. Bring your pet indoors and offer water. If the symptoms continue, call your vet. "Even with water, dogs can overheat," Davies says. "Their bodies don't cool off as efficient- ly as ours." If your pet passes out, take it to the vet immediate- ly. • Acclimate your dog. If you exercise outdoors, you know the importance of gradual- ly building up so you'll adjust to the heat. Your dog needs that, too, Davies says. Also, limit strenuous walks or runs to before the sun rises or after it sets. Check with your vet to make sure your dog is up to the exer- cise. Bracksieck suggests carry- ing a foldable water bowl and worm or those who have fleas tend to be more at risk, Brack- sieck says. So do old and young dogs, as well as those with snub noses like boxers, pugs, Pekinese and some spaniels, Davies adds. MCT file photo offering water from the bottle you're no doubt carrying for yourself. • Know which dogs are espe- cially prone to heat illness. Those being treated for heart- "Their throat and breathing passages are smaller and more flattened. That can tend to increase the ability to get air in and out of the upper airways. It can lead to serious issues, espe- cially if you're talking about run- ning with a dog who's trying to pant to cool off." • Don't leave your dog in the car while you run, or ever. "Even if you have the win- dows rolled down a little and the temperature is in the 80s, it can reach well over 100 in a matter of minutes," Davies says. “If you see an animal in a car, you can contact local authorities.” ADOPT A PET TODAY TEHAMA COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER 1830 Walnut Street • P.O. Box 38 • Red Bluff, CA 96080 • (530) 527-3439 CORNING ANIMAL SHELTER 4312 Rawson Rd. • Corning, CA 96021• (530) 824-7054 SPONSOR A PET TODAY! Call Sue @ 527-2151 ext. 122 Harlow Dino Domestic Short Hair, Tabby - Orange [Mix] Tehama County Department of Animal Services, Red Bluff This pet sponsored by NELLIE LEE BARBER Peewee Tehama County Department of Animal Services, Red Bluff This pet sponsored by CONNIE & GLENN GRAHAM Jimmy Tehama County Department of Animal Services, Red Bluff This pet sponsored by CABERNET APARTMENTS & DUPLEXES 15 Cabernet Ct. Red Bluff • 529-0879 Jack Russell Terrier, Cattle Dog [Mix] Tehama County Department of Animal Services, Red Bluff This pet sponsored by LINNET’S TIRE SHOP 2920 Hwy 99W Corning 824-5489 Spencer Dachshund, Terrier [Mix] Small Young Male Corning Animal Shelter VETERINARY CLINIC 2023 Solano St., Corning 824-2966 This pet sponsored by CORNING Six Pups Medium Baby Female Hound, Great Dane [Mix] Large Young Male Chihuahua [Mix] Small Young Male Medium Baby Male Perri Tehama County Department of Animal Services, Red Bluff This pet sponsored by COLDWELL BANKER C&C PROPERTIES 741 Main St., Red Bluff 527-2187 Flip Tehama County Department of Animal Services, Red Bluff This pet sponsored by NU-WAY MARKET 8049 Hwy 99E Los Molinos 384-1563 Zippy Tehama County Department of Animal Services, Red Bluff This pet sponsored by REYNOLDS RANCH & FARM SUPPLY 501 Madison St. Red Bluff 527-1622 Derrick Large Adult MaleTehama County Department of Animal Services, Red Bluff This pet sponsored by CHIMNEY CRICKET Chimney Service 545 Walton Drive Red Bluff 527-7928 Gilmore Australian Cattle Dog/Blue Heeler [Mix] Medium Young Male Corning Animal Shelter This pet sponsored by RICHFIELD FEED & SUPPLY 5605 HWY 99W Corning, Ca, 824-4633 This pet sponsored by JC OLANDER ATTORNEY AT LAW http://www.petfinder.com Rottweiler [Mix] Fox Terrier [Mix] Small Young Male Border Collie [Mix] Medium Young Male Australian Shepherd [Mix] Medium Young Female Wire-Haired Pointing Griffon [Mix] Large Young Female Tehama County Department of Animal Services, Red Bluff This pet sponsored by MARVIN & JANET FARRIS Pixie American Shorthair, Bengal [Mix] Tehama County Department of Animal Services, Red Bluff This pet sponsored by VICKI KERSTIENS- MAHONEY Mastiff, German Shepherd Dog [Mix] Tehama County Department of Animal Services, Red Bluff This pet sponsored by MUSEUM 670 Antelope Blvd. 527-1000 Quiggy Tehama County Department of Animal Services, Red Bluff This pet sponsored by LES SCHWAB TIRE CENTER 522 Antelope Blvd. Red Bluff 529-1654 Nelson Small Young Mal Corning Animal Shelter Maltese Medium Young Female Border Terrier RED BLUFF ROUND UP Beckam Large Young Male Medium Baby Female