FIREHALL 4 HOPES YOU ARE HAVING A GREAT SUMMER!

 

With the temperature reaching record highs this summer, now more than ever, it is important to keep in mind the safety of your pet.  Summer does mean fun in the sun, but just as we humans take precautions when spending time in the heat, your pet has to be careful as well. 

 

            First it is important to recognize the signs of heat exhaustion in your dog or cat.  Be on the look out for excessive panting or difficulty breathing, increased heart and respiratory rate, drooling, and weakness or lethargic stupor.  In extreme cases over exposure to the heat can cause seizures, bloody diarrhea, or collapse.  If you see any of these symptoms, you need to remove your pet from the heat immediately and get him to a cool, well ventilated space with circulating air (such as a fan).  Next, call your vet (Firehall 4: 706-583-9191) or if it is after hours or a weekend contact UGA (706- 542-3221) or the Animal Emergency Hospital (706-769-0229) so that your pet can receive treatment.  To start cooling your pet down, use cool or tepid water.  Do not use ice cold water, as that could potentially cause more damage by cooling your pet too quickly.  You can spray your dog with a hose, for your cat you can use a damp cloth.  Or, you can immerse your animal in water, again making sure it is not too cold.  When getting your pet wet, pay close attention to front armpits, groin, and neck.  You can also apply rubbing alcohol the pads on your pet’s feet, as well as the armpits and groin. 

 

            To prevent your pet from overheating, keep their exposure to the heat to a minimum.  If you are taking your dog to an outdoor activity such as a park or a cook out, make sure he has ample access to fresh water and shade.  Keeping your pet indoors is a safe bet to preventing heat stroke, but if your dog or cat is outdoors, again make sure water is easily accessible as well as cool shade.  (Also be sure to keep the water in a shaded area to make sure it stays cool during the day).  Your outside dog may also appreciate a nice spray with a hose in the afternoon.  For dogs, keep exercise to a minimum, and try to take your dog out in the morning or late evening.

            There are also certain breeds that are more prone to being sensitive to the heat.  These include short faced breeds like Bulldogs, Pugs, or Boston terriers for dogs or Persians for cats.  They are more susceptible due to the fact that they cannot pant as effectively.  Other dog breeds that are heat sensitive are those with double coats, like Chow- Chows, or dogs bred for cold climates such as Huskies or Newfoundlands.  Also, animals that are overweight, elderly, or have black/dark coats are more sensitive to the heat.

  

            Another important safety precaution for your pet this summer is to be sure that if you must leave your dog or cat in your car, to have the windows cracked to allow for air circulation, as well as park in the shade.  Although we love running errands with our pets, the safest place to leave them is at home during these hot summer months.  You could have someone ride with you, allowing them to stay in the car with your dog and have the doors open.  Also, if a drive-thru window is an option, take that instead of leaving your pet in the car.   Something to bring to your attention is that in some states, leaving a dog unattended in a car is in fact illegal.  This is against the law in 14 states: Arizona, California, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, New York, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Dakota, South Dakota, West Virginia, and Vermont.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For Your Information: How dogs and cats cool themselves… 

            Dogs maintain their body temperature through thermoregulation.  Basically this means your dog’s primary method of cooling off is through evaporative cooling from the respiratory tract, or: panting.  When your dog is panting, air is flowing at an increased rate over moist surfaces in the upper respiratory tract which helps cool him down.  Although dogs do have sweat glands, they are not used a primary agent for cooling.  The majority of their sweat glands are actually located in the pads of their feet and play a minimal role in their thermoregulation. 

 

                       

           

            Cats also cool themselves by rapid breathing, but another way they regulate their body temperature is by licking their coats.  You may notice your cat grooming and licking himself more during the hot months (and more hairballs!)  By licking their fur, saliva will evaporate off of it and cool them much like sweat evaporating off our skin.  If this system fails, they will resort to panting like dogs.  Also like dogs, they too have sweat glands on the pads of their feet.