Ask the Vet: Cooling Down

The Question: What's the best way to cool down a dog who can't drink much water after activity (he throws it up.)?

The Answer:

It is not uncommon for a dog to vomit after it drinks large amounts of water. If you know that your dog is going to go straight to the water bowl after coming in from playing (some dogs do this out of habit) the best thing to do is not have the bowl accessible. You can offer ice cubes instead of water. This will help quench your dogs thirst but he/she will not be able to drink too quickly. You may need to start by mixing ice cubes in a small amount of water to begin with. Some dogs will not know what to do with ice cubes but if you slowly introduce them they will eventually get the hang of it.

To help cool down you can also confine your dog to a room with tile or wood flooring. By laying on this type of material rather than carpet the body heat will dissipate and he/she will cool down more quickly. Having a ceiling fan or stand up fan is also helpful. If your dog likes water you can spray them with cool water (make sure it is just cool and not too cold as this can be dangerous) or lay damp towels on him/her.

It is very important to remember that dogs can become over heated very quickly; especially in the summer time in SC. It is best to exercise your dog in the early morning or evening when the temperature is cooler outside. If you do think your dog has become too hot please do not try to cool him/her down too quickly as this can cause more harm than good. In addition, if your pet has not cooled off within 15 minutes seek help by contacting your veterinarian or a local veterinary emergency clinic.

Olde Towne Veterinary Clinic is a full service veterinary clinic offering regular medical exams, checkups, labs, surgeries, radiology, medicinal diets, natural supplements, and specialty care for pets, including geriatric medicine for aging pets. We help our clients develop ideal health and wellness programs that fit your pet’s needs and your budget.

Dr. Kelli Klein obtained her Bachelor of Science with a major in Psychology from College of Charleston in 1998. She graduated from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2010. After graduating, Dr. Klein moved back to Charleston to join the team at Olde Towne Veterinary Clinic. Dr. Klein has been associated with Olde Towne Veterinary Clinic for over ten years. She started working there as a veterinary technician during college and continued this until going to veterinary school. Throughout her time in veterinary school Dr. Klein maintained a close relationship with Dr. Smith and the clinic’s patients and theirs owners. Dr. Klein’s special interests include emergency/trauma, geriatric medicine, and internal medicine. She works part time at the Veterinary Emergency Clinic in Charleston. Her hobbies include: hiking, reading, going to the beach, and learning to cook. Dr. Klein has two mixed breed dogs and two cats.