Heat Kills - Warning to Dog Owners

Chichester vet Tiekie van Tonder is urging dog owners to take extra care after treating an elderly Labrador for heat stroke during the last week of April!  The dog – the first she’s treated this year - had been left in his owner’s car and had quickly become dehydrated and distressed.   Tiekie and vet nurse Emma Blackshaw from Pet Doctors, treated him with intravenous fluids, a cold water enema and cool towels and, fortunately, he was well enough to go home later that day.

 As the weather improves though, Emma has issued a warning to all dog owners to remember the danger that heat poses to their pets.  Two dogs died at the practice last year after being left for too long in their owner’s car.

She said:    “While we all enjoy the sunshine, it’s easy to underestimate the effects of the heat, particularly for dogs left in cars.  While it may not even be particularly hot outside, it can still be warm enough to turn a car into an oven and a dog can’t remove its fur coat to regulate its body temperature.   Last year there were reports, for instance, that the temperature inside cars was soaring to 117 degrees Fahrenheit while it was a mere 72 degrees Fahrenheit outside.

With this mind, it’s easy to see why ten minutes in a hot car can cause a dog great suffering. Twenty minutes may be enough to kill it.  Older dogs or dogs with underlying medical conditions are particularly at risk.”

According to Emma, some dog owners believe that leaving a window slightly open or water in the car will help but, in fact, these measures make little difference.  “We’re asking dog owners to think twice about taking their dogs on journeys where they will have to be left in the car even for a short while.

For all kinds of reasons, short trips out often take longer than we think and this puts your dog at risk.  If you’re going somewhere you can’t take your dog, they will probably be much safer at home,” she said.  

Emma added:  “The most obvious symptoms of heat stroke are excessive panting and salivation.  Affected dogs can also demonstrate a lack of co-ordination and may not be able to get up.  Owners who suspect their dogs may be suffering from heat stroke should move their pet to a cooler area with good ventilation, spray cool (not ice cold) water on the face and hairless parts of their body, offer them cool water to drink and contact their veterinary surgeon immediately.”

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