Scottsdale, Arizona:

Scottsdale Fire technical rescue teams rescued a dog from the Tom’s Thumb Trailhead recently. The female hiker was located on the trail 3/4 of the way from the trailhead  with 2 dogs. The large dog pictured was showing signs of heat exhaustion. Scottsdale Paramedics started cooling and rehydration for the dog named “Diego”. He was a 125 lbs German Shepard. Crews carried him down a steep part of the trail and removed the hiker and the dogs utilizing an UTV. A large sign is located at the beginning of the Tom’s Thumb Trailhead reminding hikers “The desert heat can kill your dog”. This sign has dog safety tips we should all follow. “Diego” was doing much better after 5 bottles of water. He got into the car under his own power.

 

Do’s

1 Verify the weather before you walk your dog outside:. Try to avoid walking your dog mid-day when it’s the hottest. Try and limit your animals exercise if it’s above 85 degrees.

2 Check the sidewalk or asphalt temperature: If it is too hot for you to touch, it is too hot for your dog paws!

3 Walk your dogs in the cooler time of the day: Early in the morning before 10 am or after 5 or 6 pm in the evening.

4 Provide shade for your outdoor pets: In the AZ heat and sunshine, you dog will need shade for cover and hopefully a breezeway there as well.

Don’t

1 Leaving your dog or cat in the hot car CAN BE FATAL! Temperatures in an enclosed vehicle will heat up quickly, and even when you think it’s reasonably cool out, the temperature in the car is likely 15-25 degree hotter!

2 Don’t leave your dog outside in the summer heat. Not only can your dog’s skin burn in the heat, but they can get dehydrated and even suffer heatstroke. Never leave them outside in the heat for more than 30 minutes at a time if possible.

3 Do not forget to give your pets PLENTY water before you leave the house. Dogs can become severely dehydrated especially in the hotter summer months. So always be sure to keep enough water for your dogs or cats no matter what and place the water bowl or bucket where it’s in the shade all day too!

 

Credit: PIO Captain Dave Folio #56