Heatstroke

21 October 2015

DON’T make the fatal mistake of leaving your dog in the car this summer.

 

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Dogs are different to humans, they don’t have the same safety sweating mechanism that we have to stay cool. They can only perspire by panting and are consequently vulnerable to a sudden rise in body temperature during hot days.

If you think it is safe to leave your dog in the car, even with the windows open you are sadly mistaken.

The inside temperature of a car can reach over 50°C after just five minutes when the temperature outside is 32.5°.  The testing also found that in less than two hours the inside temperature of the car reached 75°C. Additionally, having tinted windows, leaving the car in the shade or having a light colored car didn’t reduce the cabin temperature by a noteworthy amount. All of these tests were conducted by RACQ.

The RSPCA are running campaign about how dangerous it is to leave your dog in the car – “You could lose your best mate in just 6 minutes” http://justsixminutes.com.au/

It’s not just cars that can heat up in the summer months; people often forget how hot your house can get while you are at work.

Sunlight seeps into your house where your dog is and can quickly cause an unbearable environment that the dog cannot escape. Old houses with little or poor insulation and small rooms are more probable to reach dangerous temperatures.

What to look out for if your dog is overheating:

  • Deep panting.
  • Rapid Heart rate
  • Dry or pale gums.
  • Dehydration
  • Increased drooling.
  • Heavy and rapid breathing

Arranging a cool environment for your dog to relax while you are at out or at work facilitates their comfort but more significantly their safety and survival.

How to help your dog stay cool:

  • Always having a bowl of water available to your dog, that is not in direct sunlight
    • have a couple of containers in case one is spilt over
    • put ice in the water to keep it cool for longer
  • Remove heavy quilts and bedding from your dog’s bed/kennel
  • Keep blinds and curtains closed during hot days to stop direct sunlight entering
    • keep a fan or air-conditioner on in an area that is likely to heat up
  • If possible keep your dog inside
  • If your dog is kept outside make sure there is a shady spot
  • Be cautious not to overwork your dog, take it on relaxing walks or give it a break from walks on scorching days
  • Walk your dog in the morning or early evening when the weather isn’t so hot
  • Wetting your dogs paws and misty water on their face, this a great option as they control their inner temperature through their feet

 What to do if you think your dog is showing signs of heatstroke?

Firstly take your dog out of the heat into a cool shaded area.  Allow your dog to drink a small amount of cool water. Wet your dogs paws with some water and dampen the dog with a small amount of water,  don’t drenched your dog with water as the body temperature may change suddenly which can lead to other problems.  If your dog is showing no sigPicture2n of improvement contact your vet or take it to a vet hospital.

If you have any questions regarding your dog over heating or heat stroke, please don’t hesitate to contact Pet Universe to speak to one of our friendly team members.

North Gate: 08 8369 3111
Broadview: 08 8266 4666

 

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