The sizzling summer months are upon us in Central North
Carolina. It is time for picnics,
swimming pools, outdoor activities, and fun in the sun. The days are getting hotter and hotter. During this time, it is important to remember
to keep our four-legged friends safe, especially when traveling with them in
the car or taking them on walks and hikes.
Within five to ten minutes in a hot car with the windows up, a dog’s
temperature can climb to lethal levels. Temperatures
inside an enclosed car can exceed 120 degrees F in less than 20 minutes, with
an outside environmental temperature of 75 degrees! So with the temperature in the high 80’s and
90’s recently, it is even more important to leave our furry friends at
home.
The types of pets that are at
highest risk for heat stroke include pediatric or geriatric animals, overweight
animals, dark-colored animals, and brachycephalic (short-nosed) breeds (i.e.
Pugs, Bulldogs). However, any animal can
suffer from heat stoke if left in extreme temperatures. There are many signs of hyperthermia
including excessive panting, collapse, vomiting, diarrhea, and seizures or
tremors. If your pet is exhibiting any
of these signs, it is important that you contact a veterinarian right away and
bring your pet in for an examination and treatment. It is not recommended that cooling measures
be started at home. If an animal is
cooled too fast, more complications can result, such as a higher incidence of
DIC, which is a lethal condition.
So what
can you do to prevent heat stroke from happening?
1.
Avoid
leaving animals inside a hot vehicle for ANY period of time. Just
leave them at home!
2.
Avoid extreme exercise during hot days. This includes leaving pets outside for
extended periods. It is not recommended
to leave any brachycephalic breeds outdoors for any length of time.
3.
If you are taking your dog on a walk or hike,
make sure to bring water along. Also, be
aware of any hot surfaces that your dogs feet are coming in contact with
because they can potentially cause burns.
4.
If you are planning on taking your dog for a
walk, early in the morning or late at night is a good time.
AND….
If you see a pet left in a car alone on a hot day, call
911! It could make the difference
between life and death!!
Jennifer Dow
Posts
I love this article, especially the pictures! Very good advice and guidelines to keep in mind. Even when you run into the store for one second leaving your dog in the heat of the car can turn deadly. The last thing you want to do is take your beloved doggy to the Vancouver animal emergency center for heat stroke!
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