| Summer Pet Tips |
| Never leave your Chihuahua in the car alone. While it may seem to be cool outside, the sun can raise the temperature inside your car to over 120 degrees Fahrenheit in a matter of minutes, even with the windows rolled down you are only asking for trouble. Don't ever think your Chihuahua is safe and leave them inside the car with the air conditioning on either. Car engines may stall and you are inside the mall. In a matter of minutes your Chihuahua will not survive. Most places welcome Chihuahuas but If you need to run some errands and they are not welcome leave them home. |
| When you are outside with your Chihuahua they need access to lots of fresh water. Check his or her water bowl often in to be sure it's full. I put ice cubes in the water bowl when they are outside.You will be surprised how often you will have to refill it. Be sure to bring plenty of water with you if you take a walk or go to the park. |
| Be extra cautious on humid days. Humidity interferes with you Chihuahuas ability to rid themselves of excess body heat. When humans overheat we sweat, and as the sweat dries it will take the excess heat with it. Chihuahuas only perspire around their paws, which is not enough to cool the body. To rid themselves of excess heat, animals pant. Air moves through the nasal passages, which picks up excess heat from the body. As it is expelled through the mouth and the extra heat leaves along with it. Although this is a very efficient way to control body heat, it is severely limited in areas of high humidity or especially when they are in close quarters. |
| Don't overexert your Chihuahua. Though exercise is an important part of keeping your dog healthy, a proportional weight for your Chihuahua will help keep the body cool, overdoing exercise can cause your Chihuahua to overheat. Keep the walks to a gentle pace and make sure they have plenty of water. If they start panting excessive and they seem to be exhausted, it's time to stop |
| Keep a watch full eye out for heatstroke. Heatstroke is a serious medical emergency. If you even suspect your pet has heatstroke (see sings of heatstroke below), you must act quickly and calmly. Call a veterinarian immediately every minute your Chihuahua is in this condition puts them in danger for their life. Lower your Chihuahuas body temperature by applying cool water with soaked towels to the body. They may respond after a few minutes of cooling, only to falter again with the temperature soaring back up or falling to well below what is normal. With this in mind, remember that it is imperative to get the animal to a veterinarian immediately. Once your pet is in the veterinarian's care, treatment may include further cooling techniques, intravenous fluid therapy to counter shock, or medication to prevent brain damage. Even with emergency treatment of heatstroke can be fatal. Watch for these warning signs or any behavior that does not seem normal for your Chihuahua in this hot summer. Signs of Heatstroke Panting Staring and Confusion Anxious expression Refusal to obey commands Warm, dry skin Hot to the touch, High fever Rapid heartbeat Vomiting Collapse |