Never Leave Your Pet in a Parked Car!

On a warm, sunny day windows collect light, trapping heat inside the vehicle, and pushing the temperature inside to dangerous levels. On an 85-degree Fahrenheit day, for example, the temperature inside a car with the windows opened slightly can reach 102 degrees within ten minutes. On hot and humid days, the temperature in a car parked in direct sunlight can rise more than 30 degrees per minute, and quickly become lethal.

Heatstroke occurs when a dog’s or cat’s temperature rises about 104 degrees. Be on the lookout for some or all of these symptoms:

* unusually heavy panting
* an anxious expression or behavior
* rapid heartbeat/dizziness, lack of coordination
* weakness/collapse/excessive thirst

Heatstroke can kill your pet very quickly, so if you suspect there’s a problem, it’s imperative that he get to the vet immediately to have his condition professionally evaluated and treated.

In the meantime, you must attempt to lower his temperature by moving him to a cooler location, dousing him with cool (not cold) water or wrapping the neck, head and chest in cool, damp towels. Encourage him to drink or lick ice cubes, but don’t force it. Some animals with heatstroke may not be able to swallow properly, and forcing liquids could actually make him drown.

Follow these tips to help your pet beat the heat and you’ll both survive the dog days of summer like a couple of cool cats.

Source: “Those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer” The Paw Street Journal – A Pet-Loving Publication from Acoaxet Veterinary Clinic (Spring/Summer 2009).