Keeping pets safe, comfortable in summer heat

June’s record-breaking temperatures are a reminder that a heat wave can happen at any time. Not to mention that summer days in Canyon Lake are just plain ol’ HOT! People can stay cool in their air-conditioned homes or offices, or by heading to the pool or beach. But what about pets? How can they stay cool?

Many Canyon Lakers feel their pets are as much a part of the family as anyone. They pamper them and take them everywhere. It’s common for people to leave their dog in the car while they run into a store “for just a moment.” But when the temperatures soar, it’s best to remember that they are, actually, pets; they are not allowed everywhere people are.  Those few moments left in a car can be a misery, or worse, for pets.

According to the American Veterinary Medicine Association, the interior temperature of a vehicle can rise more than 20 degrees in less than 10 minutes and over 30 degrees in less than 20 minutes. Cracking the windows makes no difference.

Think about it: during this June’s hottest day, a car’s interior climbed to 145 degrees in the time it took to grab milk and bread at the grocery store! In Canyon Lake that’s at least 130 degrees inside a vehicle, in mere minutes, almost every single day.

What about leaving the  air-conditioning running? Many people do this, but tragedy can strike – and it has in hundreds of cases. Vehicle air conditioners stop running cold air when the engine gets too hot. This can happen in a very, very short time on a hot day.

According to California Penal Code 597.7, it is illegal to “leave or confine an animal in any unattended motor vehicle under conditions that endanger the health or well-being of an animal due to heat . . .”

Dogs do not sweat through their skin like humans. They cool themselves by panting and by sweating only through their nose and paws. Flat-nosed dogs, such as bulldogs and pugs, are even more at risk.

If they have only hot air to breathe, pets can collapse, suffer brain damage and possibly die.  Even a dog who “recovers” from overheating can have lifelong health complications.

Signs of heat stroke include rapid, frantic panting; a “wide-eyed” look, thickened saliva, drooling; a bright red tongue; hot, dry skin; dark red, then eventually pale, then grey gums; vomiting; diarrhea; dizziness or disorientation; lethargy, staggering; lying down and refusing or unable to rise; shock; collapse and/or loss of consciousness; and seizures.

If there is even the smallest question that a dog is suffering from heat stroke, take immediate action.  Don’t be hesitant to ask others – even passersby – for assistance, or to call a vet as you work without delay. Remember, time is of the essence.

  • Move the dog out of the heat and away from the sun immediately.
  • Begin cooling the dog by placing cool, wet rags or washcloths on the body – especially the foot pads and around the head. Use a fan, if available, to blow air over the dog.
  • Important! DO NOT use ice or very cold water. Intense cold can cause the blood vessels to constrict and prevent the body’s core from cooling, causing the internal temperature to rise even more. Rectal body temperature should be checked every five minutes. When it reaches 103 degrees, stop cooling.
  • Offer the dog cool water, but do not force water into his mouth as he may inhale it or choke.
  • Even if the dog seems recovered, call or visit the vet immediately for advice. Internal damage may not be evident and further testing could be very important.

Pet left in a vehicle:

What do you do if you observe a pet left in a vehicle?

Take down the car’s make, model and license-plate number. If there are businesses nearby, notify the managers or security guards and ask them to make an announcement to find the car’s owner.

Many people are unaware of the danger of leaving pets in hot cars and will quickly return to their vehicle once they are alerted to the situation. If the owner can’t be found right away, call the police or animal control and wait by the car for them to arrive.

Remember, it’s best to leave pets at home on warm days.

For outdoor dogs, Officer Middleton of Animal Friends of the Valleys suggests a small wading pool. She also advises to leave multiple bowls of water in case one tips over.

Another issue is pavement and/or asphalt. Since a dog sweats from his paw pads, walking on hot pavement not only burns, but also inhibits sweating. Although tough, pads are very susceptible to burning. Pawsitively Pets notes that asphalt can reach 125 degrees on a sunny, 75-degree day. If the temperature outside is 85 degrees, asphalt in the sun can reach over 140 degrees. According to research, a quick approximate calculation is summertime asphalt temperatures are about 50 degrees higher (in direct sun) than the air temperature.

One way to tell if the ground is too hot: if the back of a hand cannot be held on the ground for five full seconds, it’s too hot to walk on. Keep in consideration that certain dog’s pads, especially puppies, are even more tender.

Bottom line: If the pavement is so hot a person wouldn’t want to walk barefoot on it, a dog wouldn’t want to either!




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