Heat Stroke Is It Coming To A Car Near You

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Written by Jan Hymes

Dogs do not understand what heat stroke is or how on earth they would have gotten it. This is where we have to come in and be responsible owners. As with our children we need to watch the amount of time and energy spent by our dogs on days that are really hot. Because we are not used to overly hot days in the British Isles when we do get them we try to enjoy them and think that our dogs know what is best for them in this weather also. THEY DON’T. Try to make sure you walk your dog either early morning or evening time when it is cooler.

Dogs will be affected when kept for long periods in rooms, kennels or buildings with little ventilation, laying in the sun for a long period of time and the main one which is being left in a car on a hot day (even in the shade)!! Some dogs are chained up and cannot find shade so need to be moved. I often ask people to think what it would be like to sit in their parked car on a hot day with only an inch or two of open window??? Now imagine what that must be like with a fur coat on??? Also heat stroke can affect dogs which have excessive hair that have had considerable exercise in warm humid weather. A dog’s normal temperature should be 38-39 Celsius (100-102.5 F.) and dogs that are getting warm will pant to regulate this temperature but they cannot regulate it against extreme heat. A temperature that rises by only a couple of degrees can cause the early signs of heatstroke. Temperatures can rise in cars within 10 minutes to a temperature as high as 120F which can cause your dog to die within 20 minutes.

SIGNS OF HEATSTROKE.
Accelerated breathing.
Dry nose and mouth.
Heavy salivation and foaming at the mouth.
Both very pale or excessively red gums and tongue.
Fast heart beat.

TO REDUCE TEMPERATURE.
Pour cool or tepid water onto the skin slowly. Don’t use freezing water.
Place the dog into a paddling pool holding its head above water.
Place the dog onto a soaked towel in a shaded area.
Dribble water gently into the dogs mouth not allowing excess drinking.
Get your dog to a vet as quickly and calmly as possible.

THINK!!
Does our dog really need to go on the journey with us? Is it REALLY necessary to have him in the car?
Make sure your dog has plenty of room to move around so he isn’t in direct sunlight.
Make sure there is plenty of shade as they can still overheat in an air conditioned car if in direct sunlight.
Leave enough time on your journey to stop for water breaks for them.
Try putting his drinking water into a thermos as opposed to a plastic bottle to keep it cooler.

DON’T.
Leave your dog unattended even with the window open and with water. They must have access to shade and water.
Over exercise or walk your dog in hot sunshine or when the sun is at its hottest no matter how much THEY want to go.
Please don’t pass a dog suffering in a car at shows, car parks etc. If you are in doubt ask the shop to put out a tanoy to the car owner, call the police, or phone the RSPCA on 0870 55 55 999.

JAN HYAMS. ACFBA.
CANINE CODES.

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Last Updated on Saturday, 02 May 2009 07:33