By John McDevitt

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - It’s a busy time for emergency room veterinarians treating dogs suffering form heat related illness.

“Heat exhaustion or heat stroke is probably one of our more common emergencies during the summer months”

Dr. Dan Hume, who works in the emergency room at The Matthew J. Ryan Veterinary Hospital
of the University of Pennsylvania, explains the warning signs.

“Excessive panting or the inability to kind of cool down or settle down progressing to lethargy. And as things progress from there, we start to see you know neurologic abnormalities in terms of seizures and then gastrointestinal side effects including vomiting or diarrhea.”

Dr. Hume says pet owners can try to lower dog’s temperature by hosing it down with water and get to a vet immediately.