Every year during the hot summer months one learns of tragedy striking some beloved pet to prevent this here are a few precautions to protect your dogs.

The car can become a living inferno for your dog if you are careless and close the windows, you may find the dog dead of suffocation. When traveling with your dog whether to a dog show, on a vacation, or just a jaunt into town, place the dog in a wire cage. You will not have to chain him, and you can lower the windows for proper circulation of air without danger of his escaping. Always carry a water pan along, and make sure that the dog has cool, fresh drinking water at all times. Check your car often to make certain that the dog is all right and that the car is still in a shady spot. If at any time you notice someone else's dog is in distress, try to find the owner so that immediate help may be given.

Special Attention
In hot weather, bitches with nursing litters need special attention. All doors and windows should be replaced with screens. This allows proper cross-ventilation yet prevents insects from entering the building. Natural shade from trees is good protection from the hot sun, but if you are not so fortunate as to have trees for such shade, you should resort to either a cloth or steel awning. An electric fan will also help in circulating air and it keeps the dogs comfortable.

Both puppies and grown dogs should be given the benefit of fresh, outdoor air and plenty of sunlight, but too much exposure during the heat of the day may result in heat prostration or sunstroke. The enclosure for the puppies should be so situated that there will be ample shade at all times. Puppies should be put out in the early morning when it is cool, and put inside at mid-day to avoid the excessive heat. They may be put out again after 4 in the afternoon.

The first symptoms of heat prostration or sunstroke are panting, a staggering gait, difficult breathing. The dog may fall to the ground gasping. Remove him quickly to a cool, shady spot and put ice packs on his head. Place him a prone position, make sure he is breathing, and watch his tongue. In any event, pull the tongue to the surface so that the dog will not choke. You may administer a little brandy or black tea to stimulate him, and cold towels may be placed on the body. These are only emergency measures to be followed while you await your veterinarian. In severe cases, the dog may vomit and develop diarrhea this is not to be treated by a layman get the dog to a veterinarian as quickly as possible.

Many dogs are shipped during the summer months and this can be done safely if the shipment is made at the right time and proper provisions made for the animal in transit.

If you plan to ship a dog or puppy, try to route it to travel at night or early morning. Attach a full itinerary to the shipping crate. Instructions should be included to water the dog at intervals and to always keep the crate in the shade and away from all other crates and boxes so as not to block off air and possibly suffocate the dog.

During hot weather, dogs tend to eat lightly; this is nature's way of protecting them from the heat. Foods containing carbohydrates should be limited or completely eliminated during a hot spell. Cool, clean water should be available to the dog 24 hours a day. Remember, cleanliness of your dog and kennel at all times is a necessity during the hot weather this may be an added chore, but to keep your canine happy and healthy you can not slow up. Daily grooming means that any unusual condition will be noticed immediately and prompt action will alleviate a great deal of discomfort for the dog, and work for you.

Hot weather brings other problems. One that often plagues the dog is skin irritation brought about by fleas and ticks. A scratch to rid himself of just one flea or tick may start a bad skin irritation. It is best to keep your dog's bedding clean at all times and take necessary precautions to keep the dog free of insects, always. A dog, after being out for a walk, may return with a flea or two and start a flea colony. It is best to use a good insecticide at least once a week.

At this time of the year, dust, pollen or grass seed may cause eye and ear irritation. In case of eye trouble, bathe at once with a boric solution or a good eye lotion. Remove any foreign matter which may be causing the irritation.

The ears, too, are very easily infected. If dirt accumulates it must be removed at the earliest possible moment. Clean ears with cotton-tipped swabs dipped in alcohol. To prevent the many problems which may arise during the summer months, it's necessary that dogs be examined every day.

During the summer your dog should receive as much exercise as at other times; however, all you need to do is change the hour. The best time to exercise the dog is either in the early morning or in late evening. Watch where you take the dog walking beware of soft asphalt, tar and oil. Any one of these may cause trouble to the pads.