After a long winter it's nice to get the dog out of the house, but it's important to ensure they are protected from the heat.

Hyperthermia, not to be confused with hypothermia, can be incredibly severe, and within an hour could become life-threatening for an animal. That's according to Dr. Kate Gardiner, a veterinarian at the Winkler Vet Clinic.

She encourages pet owners to be aware of the dangers heat can pose, ensuring their pets have access to shade, water, and avoid keeping them in confined spaces like the inside of a vehicle.

She outlines the symptoms pet owners should keep an eye out for.

"Any kind of behaviour changes in them after you've been outside for a little bit, hypersalivation, vomiting, diarrhea, any kind of muscle tremor, lethargy, it can even go as far as coma or seizures. You definitely want to be picking up on these things," she said.

If you begin to notice these symptoms, Gardiner encourages pet owners to visit their local vet as soon as possible, take them to a cool spot, use some cool not cold water, and you can even use an ice pack under their "armpits" to help lower their internal temperature.

Gardiner says it's critical to know if your animal is at risk of heat-related illnesses so you can take the necessary precautions; larger dogs, short-faced, overweight animals, dogs with an underlying respiratory issue and bring those animals outside during the early morning or evening when the heat is at its lowest. Not only will this reduce the risk of heat illnesses but avoid burns on a dogs pawpads when asphalt or concrete warms up to extreme temperatures.

Any animal, even those not at risk, should have easy access to water, make sure they don't overexert themselves, and an excellent way to exercise a dog during summer is to take them swimming. Gardiner notes not only will it help keep your animal cool, but it's also fantastic exercise, and fun for both you and your pet.