As the summer season settles in, bringing with it hot and humid weather, a local veterinarian is reminding of the dangers it can pose to pets.

Dr. Maggie Brown-Bury says one thing to keep in mind is that our pets aren’t used to this heat and they aren’t good at regulating their body temperature.

She advises against leaving pets in cars and venturing out during the hottest part of the day as pets are more susceptible to heat stroke which is a serious concern.

Dr. Brown-Bury says to protect pets from overheating, she advises pet owners to be vigilant for signs such as excessive panting, lethargy, becoming unsteady on their feet, collapse, vomit, or continue to breathe heavily, it may indicate heat stroke, a potentially life-threatening condition.

Dr. Brown-Bury says they see a lot of animals in the clinic due to hot asphalt, which can cause severe burns to a dog’s paw pads, she says to be mindful of where you are taking your dog for a walk and stick to grassy areas.