Veterinarians warn of hot pavement dangers for dogs during holiday weekend
BRUNSWICK COUNTY (WWAY) — As temperatures climb into the 90s this Fourth of July holiday weekend, veterinarians are reminding pet owners that extreme heat can pose serious dangers for dogs.
Experts say hot pavement is one of the biggest risks. When the air temperature reaches 90 degrees, asphalt can heat up to 140 to 150 degrees — hot enough to burn a dog’s paw pads within seconds. Veterinarians say those injuries are extremely painful and can take weeks to heal.
Heat stroke is another major concern, especially because dogs cannot regulate their body temperature the same way humans can.
Dr. Ali Travis of River Road Animal Hospital in Southport said pet owners should watch for early signs of heat exhaustion before the condition becomes life-threatening.
“First signs of them overheating can be really subtle. Like, you’re out playing with them and all of a sudden they’re moving a lot slower, they’re panting, they’re actually going to pull their lips back even more to try and get more of that surface area so they can cool off more, so they’ll look like they’re smiling or grimacing. Their tongue’s going to hang out more; they might start getting some really thick drool, if you see any of that get inside,” said Travis.
Travis said if a dog becomes unable to stand, it should be treated as a medical emergency.
She recommends moving the animal into a cooler environment immediately, using a fan, applying cool water between the toes and inside the ears, and, if necessary, submerging the dog in cool water up to its chest while seeking veterinary care.
