Every Summer, animals left unattended in cars suffer brain damage and die from heatstroke:
On mild or cloudy days, with windows open, a parked furnace vehicle becomes a furnace.
Car windows act to absorb the sun's rays and insulate your vehicle: The inside of a car can heat up to 110 degrees Fahrenheit in only ten minutes on an 80 degree day.
Install shade blinds on car windows and NEVER leave animals unattended. A car can quickly become an oven. Also, animals left alone are vulnerable to theft.
Your companions are as vulnerable to sunburn and skin cancer as you are and may require sunscreen on their nose. Light colored animals are particularly sensitive to the sun.
Take special precautions with older or overweight animals or those with heart or lung disease. In hot weather snub nosed dogs (Bull dogs, Pekingese, Boston Terriers, Lhasa Apsos, Pugs, Shih Tzu, ect.) have compromised respiratory systems and must be kept in air-conditioning.
Heat Stroke in dogs and cats
Stroke is a dangerous condition that takes the lives of many animals every year. A dog's normal temperature is 99.5 to 102.5. at 105.0 to 106.0 the pet is at risk for developing heat exhaustion. If the body temperature rises to 107.0 your pet has entered the critical stage of heat stroke. With heat stroke irreversible damage and death can occur.
Stroke is a dangerous condition that takes the lives of many animals every year. A dog's normal temperature is 99.5 to 102.5. at 105.0 to 106.0 the pet is at risk for developing heat exhaustion. If the body temperature rises to 107.0 your pet has entered the critical stage of heat stroke. With heat stroke irreversible damage and death can occur.
At Highest Risk: puppies to 6 months old; older (large breed dogs 7+ years; small breed dogs 14+); short muzzled, snort/wide head; ill over-weight; over-exerted; black or thick coat; dehydrated; ANY existing medical conditions.
DANGER SIGNS:
Rapid panting, bright red tongue, red or pale gums, thick sticky saliva, depression, weak or dizzy, vomiting diarrhea, shock, coma.
An overheating dog may appear sluggish, unresponsive, or disorientated...probably panting hard. Gums, Tongue and conjunctiva of the eyes may be bright red. He may even start vomiting.
Eventually he will collapse, suffer a seizure and may go into a coma.
A heat stricken dog may die in minutes but proper care may save it's life.
If you think your companion is suffering from heatstroke, immediately remove him or her to a cool, shady area.
- Try to SLOWLY lower the animals temperate by placing in cool NOT cold water
- Apply ice to head and neck.
- Get to a Veterinarian as soon as possible as follow up care will be critical to his survival.
RE: The Frederick County Humane Society
http://www.fchs.org/
