Keeping pets safe as summer temperatures climb
It’s that time of year again when temperatures climb and the sun either lures brave souls out to adventure or traps others inside amongst the air conditioning. Either way, people are likely to have their pets with them and it is important to remember that the heat affects pets just as it does people.
A dog’s body naturally operates at a warmer temperature than a human’s does, so it is no wonder that snuggling them can be very pleasant when it’s cold outside, or very unpleasant if it’s hot outside. Veterinarian of seven years and Owner of Desert Trails Veterinary Services, Katie Estill, explained that she treats at least a couple dogs per year for heat-related injury/illnesses.
“If you get hot, your dog will get hot. It’s easy because they can’t talk to us to forget about them,” said Dr. Estill.
Dr. Estill advises doing activities with pets, like going on walks or hikes, during the cool hours of the morning or evening and making sure that the pavement is not too hot for a walk by checking if it is hot to the touch. The American Kennel Club (AKC) recommends placing a hand palm-down or a bare foot on the pavement for ten seconds and if it is too hot to touch for that long, it is too hot for pet paws. Pavement can be up to double the temperature of the air, according to the AKC.
Signs that a pet is suffering from heat exhaustion or heat stroke include: excessive panting, excessively bright red gums, dry nose or gums, lethargy and seizure, says AKC. According to Dr. Estill, a temperature above 102.5 is high for dogs and should be taken seriously. She recommends offering water without forcing it, taking them to a cool or air-conditioned place, and then placing covered ice packs on the dog’s belly to help cool them down. If the dog’s temperature or manner does not improve rapidly, it is time to call the veterinarian.
Dogs with “smooshed noses”, or brachycephalic breeds—like Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, Boxers, Shih Tzus, BostonTerriers, Pugs, and many more— are at a higher risk for heat stress because they have a harder time breathing than dogs with longer noses, according to Dr. Estill. Most of the time, she explained, those are the types of dogs that she treats for heat stress.
There is no exact amount of time it takes for heat stress/stroke/exhaustion to cause brain damage, but it has been reported within minutes for some animals in extreme cases, according to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. Dr. Estill explained that she had previously treated a “bouncy Boxer” that had been running around and playing at the park all day, but then collapsed suddenly and was having seizures from the heat, and dogs just don’t know any better.
“Everyone has done a pretty good job of educating people about the risks of hot cars and pavement, but just watch and use common sense,” said Dr. Estill.