Pet Health Advice and Pet Tips by Pet Expert Wendy Nan Rees: Overheating and Heatstroke -- Save a Life by Reading This

Jul 15, 2010

Overheating and Heatstroke -- Save a Life by Reading This

In the state of CA they have made it a law that you are not allowed to leave your dog or cat in a car anymore. Some states have even passed laws about leaving children and pets in a car unattended.

Dogs have an extra challenge, because they don't sweat the same way we do. We have sweat glands all over our bodies. Dogs -- they only sweat from the pads of their feet, and their noses and by panting.

Senate Bill 1806, signed into law on January 1st, 2007 and sponsored by Senator Liz Figueroa (D-Fremont) is a new anti-cruelty law. The law states no animal may be left unattended in a vehicle under conditions that "endanger the health or well-being of an animal due to heat, cold, lack of adequate ventilation, lack of food, or water, or other circumstances that could reasonably be expected to cause suffering, disability, or death to the animal." Pet owners in California, in violation of this new law, may face high fines, jail time or both.
Be especially sensitive to senior or overweight cats and dogs, short-muzzled dogs (i.e. pug, Lhasa apso, or shi Tzu), as well as pets with heart or lung disease. A big no-no: don't shave your pet thinking this will keep them cooler. In some cases, their fur will protect them; believe it or not, the fur helps keep them cool and protects them from sunburn.
If your dog spends time outside in a kennel, then it is a good idea to purchase a kennel covers which are available at most pet stores, internet sites and Wall Mart Type of stores they are an option to provide shade for your dog while in their kennel. Make sure plenty of water is available. You can purchase a pet fountain that supplies a continuous supply of fresh water. NEVER leave which will always led stagnant water can lead to mosquito larva.
It should be a law everywhere because many of our pets die when left alone in our cars here is what we do not realize when we leave our pets alone in our vehicles.
The interior temperature of a car can rise to above 110 degrees in just a short amount of time. In Colorado, the city of Boulder is cracking down on pet owners who leave their pets inside a hot car after a Bulldog died recently of heat exhaustion. The owner was ticketed and charged with a criminal offense after the dog died inside their hot car. For example, if it is 70 degrees outside, the heat inside of a car can reach temperatures of more than 100 degrees in 15 minutes. When an animal is panting in very hot air, this only accelerates heat stroke.

Here are some signs to look out for: heat stress, swollen tongue, heavy panting, glazed eyes, rapid pulse, and unsteadiness, staggering and walking in circles, vomiting or their tongue turning purple. If your pet shows any of these signs, here's what to do immediately.

Place rubbing alcohol on only your pet's paws. Place your pet in a cool, not ice-cold bathtub. Us a hose and wet your pet down, then let the water run under their belly. This will help cool them faster. Apply ice packs only to head, neck and chest. It is better not to let them drink a lot of water, as this will induce vomiting. Offer ice cubes instead, to control their amount of water intake. Immediately call vet and take them to the vet's office.
In times of emergency as in heat stroke or overheating, our pets truly count on us to be their advocate and caretaker.