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The Dog Days of Summer
Common sense tells most people that leaving
their pet inside a parked vehicle on a hot, summer day could be
dangerous after an extended period of time. But most people don't
realize that the temperature can skyrocket after just a few minutes.
Parking in the shade or leaving the windows cracked does little
to alleviate this pressure cooker.
Pets, more so than humans, are susceptible
to overheating. While people can roll down windows, turn on the
air conditioner or exit the vehicle when they become too hot,
pets cannot. And pets are much less efficient at cooling themselves
than people are.
Dogs, for example, are designed to conserve
heat. Their sweat glands, which exist on their nose and the pads
of their feet, are inadequate for cooling during hot days. Panting
and drinking water helps cool them, but if they only have overheated
air to breathe, dogs can suffer brain and organ damage after just
15 minutes. Short-nosed breeds, like pugs and bulldogs, young
pets, seniors or pets with weight, respiratory, cardiovascular
or other health problems are especially susceptible to heat-related
stress.
Tips for pet owners
- Don't leave pets in parked cars for
any period of time. Every summer, animals left in parked cars
suffer brain damage and die from heatstroke. On a warm day,
even with the windows cracked, the temperature in a car can
reach 120° in a matter of minutes. Dogs and cats can't perspire
and can only dispel heat by panting and through the pads of
their feet. If you see an animal in a parked car during the
summer, alert the management of the shopping mall or grocery
store. If the owner does not return promptly, call local animal
control or the police.
- It is very dangerous, and in some states
illegal, to drive with a dog in the back of a pick-up truck.
Not only can flying debris cause serious injury, but a dog may
be unintentionally thrown into traffic if the driver suddenly
hits the brakes, swerves, or is hit by another car. Dogs should
ride either in the cab (in a crate or wearing a seat belt harness
designed for dogs) or in a secured crate in the bed of the truck.
- Summer is often a time when people fertilize
their lawns and work in their gardens. But beware: Plant food,
fertilizer, and insecticides can be fatal if your pet ingests
them. In addition, more than 700 plants can produce physiologically
active or toxic substances in sufficient amounts to cause harmful
effects in animals. For more information, see our list of dangerous
plants.
- With people and dogs spending more time
outside, dog bites are likely to increase in the summer months.
Spaying or neutering your dog reduces the likelihood that he
will bite and provides many other health benefits.
- Make sure your pet is always wearing
a collar and identification tag. If you are separated from your
pet, an ID tag may very well be his or her ticket home.
- Check with your veterinarian to see
if your pets should be taking heartworm prevention medication.
Heartworm disease, which is transmitted by mosquitoes, can be
fatal in both dogs and cats.
- Pets and pools can equal disaster. Prevent
free access to pools and always supervise a pet in a pool.
- Provide plenty of water and shade for
your pets while they're enjoying the great outdoors so they
can stay cool.
- If you plan on traveling with your pet
during the summer, take the time to prepare for your furry friends
in advance. Many airlines have summer pet embargoes, and most
trains and ships do not allow pets other than service animals.
- Pets need exercise even when it is hot,
but extra care needs to be taken with older dogs, short-nosed
dogs, and those with thick coats. On very hot days, limit exercise
to early morning or evening hours. Keep in mind that asphalt
gets very hot and can burn your pet's paws.
- Another summertime threat is fleas and
ticks. Use only flea and tick treatments recommended by your
veterinarian. Some over-the-counter flea and tick products can
be toxic, even when used according to instructions.
- Pets can get sunburned too, and your
pet may require sunscreen on his or her nose and ear tips. Pets
with light-colored noses or light-colored fur on their ears
are particularly vulnerable to sunburn and skin cancer.
- Don't take your pets to crowded summer
events such as concerts or fairs. The loud noises and crowds,
combined with the heat, can be stressful and dangerous for pets.
For your pet's well being, leave her at home. Be especially
aware of these threats during holidays, such as the Fourth of
July.
Taking Action
In case of an emergency, it's important
to be able to identify the symptoms of heat stress caused by exposure
to extreme temperatures. Check the animal for signs of heavy panting,
glazed eyes, a rapid heartbeat, restlessness, excessive thirst,
lethargy, fever, dizziness, lack of coordination, profuse salivation,
vomiting, a deep red or purple tongue, and unconsciousness.
If the animal shows symptoms of heatstroke,
take steps to gradually lower her body temperature immediately.
Follow these tips, and it could save her life:
- Move the animal into the shade or an
air-conditioned area.
- Apply ice packs or cold towels to her
head, neck, and chest or immerse her in cool (not cold) water.
- Let her drink small amounts of cool
water or lick ice cubes.
- Take her directly to a veterinarian.
In many states, it's against the law to
leave a pet unattended in a parked vehicle in a manner than endangers
the health or safety of the animal. Despite these laws, not to
mention a basic common sense that should guide most pet owners
during the summer, companion animals die every year from heatstroke.
The worst part is knowing that each death was preventable. That's
why sharing this information is so important. Summers, after all,
are truly supposed to be carefree.
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