Hot Days, Cool Heads

Some messages bear repeating, if only because the consequences are so dire and the outcomes entirely preventable.  Summer is almost upon us and temperatures are rising.  This is a reminder that cats and dogs are subject to heat stroke.  Leaving pets unattended in a car, even for a short period of time, can be deadly.

Many people are well-intentioned and only plan to leave the pet briefly while running errands.  What could go wrong?  Even if the windows are left cracked and the temperature feels tolerable outside (between 70-80 degrees), it can quickly rise to over 100 degrees inside the car and within ten minutes your beloved pet can be near death.  Notice the first thing most of us do when entering our cars on a hot day is either roll down the windows or turn on the air conditioning.  Pets don’t have those options.

Hot cars are not the only source of concern on toasty days.  Animals should always have access to clean, cool water.  Dogs should not be confined to concrete or asphalt with no source of shade or compelled to exercise in extremely hot or humid weather.  Canines with heart or lung disease should be monitored closely.  And avoid muzzling your dogs on hot days.

Some breeds are more prone to heatstroke than others.  Dogs with double coats for instance.  Or breeds with pushed-in faces because they have smaller air passages and a harder time expelling hot air.  The symptoms of heat stroke include heavy panting, difficulty breathing, thick saliva and vomiting.  

Since cats are not exempt from heat stroke, precautions should be taken to ensure their comfort and safety during hot weather as well.  Symptoms for heat stroke in a cat include excessively restless behavior, sweaty feet, drooling, redness of tongue, and rapid breathing.

Additional symptoms for both cats and dogs include weakness, confusion, staggering, and seizures.  If your pet displays any of the symptoms of heat stroke, immediately remove him from the hot area and apply cool - not cold - wet towels to the stomach, feet, and head. Provide water but don’t force the animal to drink.  Seek vet care immediately. 

What can you do if you see a pet locked in a car with the windows rolled up?  You can call the police or, better still, the local humane authorities.  When you do, be prepared to supply them with the car’s color, make, model, license plate number and its exact location, such as an address or a section in a parking lot. Remain at the location until authorities arrive.

We all want to enjoy the summer.  Doing so means staying cool no matter what type of animal you may be.  Let’s not overlook - even for a few minutes - the needs of our companion animals. Saving a loved one’s life is that easy.