Braxton’s always strives to give pet owners the necessary information to help keep their pet’s safe. Summertime in Pennsylvania can be brutally hot, and your pet is at risk for heat stroke. Heat stroke occurs when your animal’s body temperature gets too high, usually from being left in a car or being outside in the heat for too long. Symptoms of heat stroke include heavy panting, increased heart rate, lethargy, and vomiting. If you see any of these signs in your pet, immediately move them to a cool, shady area and give them small amounts of water to drink. If their condition does not improve, seek emergency veterinary care immediately. Dogs and cats are particularly susceptible to heat stroke since they are not able to sweat like humans do. This means that their bodies are not able to cool off as effectively and they can easily overheat.
Precautions
By taking some simple precautions, you can help keep your pet safe and healthy all summer long:
• Never leave your animal in a parked car – even for just a few minutes. The temperatures inside a car can rise very quickly, especially in the summer, and your pet can suffer from heat stroke before you even realize it. It can take just 15 minutes on an 80 degree day for car temperatures to get deadly to your pets.
• If it’s too hot for you to be outside, it’s too hot for your pet. Limit their time outdoors to short periods and make sure they have access to shade and plenty of fresh water.
• Avoid walking your dog during the hottest part of the day – early morning or evening walks are best.
• Be aware that certain breeds are more susceptible to heat stroke than others – short-nosed dogs like pugs and bulldogs, for example, have a harder time cooling off in warm weather. Take extra care with these animals when the temperatures start to rise.
By taking these simple precautions, you can help keep your pet safe from heat stroke this summer. If you think your animal is suffering from heat stroke, seek emergency veterinary care immediately.
Facts
- It takes 60 days for dogs and cats to get acclimated to hot weather. This involves seasonal sheading and body regulation to occur.
- A dogs normal body temperature is 101 degrees when functioning normally with no infection. If a dogs body gets to 109 degrees they start experiencing total organ failure.
- It only takes 15 minutes for a car on a 80 degree day to get to dangerous temperatures, and white cars are 42 degrees cooler inside than most colored cars.
- There is a 50% survival rating for dogs diagnosed with heat stroke.
In conclusion, heat stroke is a serious condition that can be fatal to your pet. By taking some simple precautions, you can help keep your animal safe this summer. If you think your pet may be suffering from heat stroke, seek emergency veterinary care immediately.
So, if you are stopping in a Braxton’s with your pet in the car, bring them on in for their safety and TREATS!
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