People usually prepare themselves for the dangers of increased temperatures. But as the dog days of summer approach, canine companions also need special attention to insure that they don't get burned. Dr. Kathy Gaughan, a veterinarian at Kansas State University's College of Veterinary Medicine, says that the next few months bring an increased danger of heat exhaustion and heat stroke for dogs.
People naturally regulate their body temperature by sweating.
Other mechanisms that help to dissipate heat include dilation of the blood vessels in the skin of the face, ears and feet. However, just like people, dogs can become overheated. Gaughan says that a dog's normal body temperature is 100.5 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. If it rises to 105 or 106 degrees, the dog is at risk for developing heat exhaustion. If the body temperature rises to 107 degrees, Gaughan says that the dog has entered the dangerous zone of heat stroke.