Keep Pets Safe in the Heat This is a wonderful time of year! The dog days of summer, or so the saying goes. But your dog may not enjoy it as much as you do, because he cant take his winter coat off. There are days when some dogs appreciate a bath—a cool one, that is. Try getting your dog a little kiddie pool to play in on hot days. remember to change the water daily, and empty at night. Its difficult enough simply to cope with rising temperatures, let alone thick humidity, but things really get tough in areas that are hit with the double blow of intense heat and storm-caused power outages, sometimes with tragic results. We can help you keep your pets safe and cool this summer. Follow our tips for helping everyone in your family stay healthy and comfortable when the heat is on (and even if the power isnt). Practice basic summer safety Never leave your pets in a parked car Not even for a minute. Not even with the car running and air conditioner on. On a warm day, temperatures inside a vehicle can rise rapidly to dangerous levels. On an 85-degree day, for example, the temperature inside a car with the windows opened slightly can reach 102 degrees within 10 minutes. After 30 minutes, the temperature will reach 120 degrees. Your pet may suffer irreversible organ damage or die. Watch the humidity Its important to remember that its not just the ambient temperature but also the humidity that can affect your pet, says Dr. Barry Kellogg, VMD, of the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association. Animals pant to evaporate moisture from their lungs, which takes heat away from their body. If the humidity is too high, they are unable to cool themselves, and their temperature will skyrocket to dangerous levels—very quickly. Taking a dogs temperature will quickly tell you if there is a serious problem. Dogs temperatures should not be allowed to get over 104 degrees. If your dogs temperature does, follow the instructions for treating heat stroke. Limit exercise on hot days Take care when exercising your pet. Adjust intensity and duration of exercise in accordance with the temperature. On very hot days, limit exercise to early morning or evening hours, and be especially careful with pets with white-colored ears, who are more susceptible to skin cancer, and short-nosed pets, who typically have difficulty breathing. Asphalt gets very hot and can burn your pets paws, so walk your dog on the grass if possible. Always carry water with you to keep your dog from dehydrating. Dont rely on a fan Pets respond differently to heat than humans do. (Dogs, for instance, sweat primarily through their feet.) And fans dont cool off pets as effectively as they do people. Provide ample shade and water Any time your pet is outside, make sure he or she has protection from heat and sun and plenty of fresh, cold water. In heat waves, add ice to water when possible. Tree shade and tarps are ideal because they dont obstruct air flow. A doghouse does not provide relief from heat—in fact, it makes it worse. Cool your pet inside and out Whip up a batch of quick and easy DIY peanut butter popsicles for dogs. (You can use peanut butter or another favorite food.) And always provide water, whether your pets are inside or out with you. Keep your pet from overheating indoors or out with a cooling body wrap, vest, or mat (such as the Keep Cool Mat). Soak these products in cool water, and theyll stay cool (but usually dry) for up to three days. If your dog doesnt find baths stressful, see if she enjoys a cooling soak. Watch for signs of heatstroke Extreme temperatures can cause heatstroke. Some signs of heatstroke are heavy panting, glazed eyes, a rapid heartbeat, difficulty breathing, excessive thirst, lethargy, fever, dizziness, lack of coordination, profuse salivation, vomiting, a deep red or purple tongue, seizure, and unconsciousness. Animals are at particular risk for heat stroke if they are very old, very young, overweight, not conditioned to prolonged exercise, or have heart or respiratory disease. Some breeds of dogs—like boxers, pugs, shih tzus, and other dogs and cats with short muzzles—will have a much harder time breathing in extreme heat. How to treat a pet suffering from heatstroke. Move your pet into the shade or an air-conditioned area. Apply ice packs or cold towels to her head, neck, and chest or run cool (not cold) water over her. Let her drink small amounts of cool water or lick ice cubes. Take her directly to a veterinarian. Remember that summer is a great time of year for family activities, and fun. But be safe, stay cool and sometimes the kindest thing you can do for your pet is to leave them at home...
Posted on: Tue, 26 Aug 2014 14:23:47 +0000
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