Hear
in the Houston area, we know when it is the "Dog Days of Summer".
Around May 21st, the temperature finally reaches 90+ degrees and
locks us in its site for the rest of summer. When temperatures
approach the normal human body temperature of 98.6 degrees, we
must regulate our internal temperature and get rid of the excess
heat our bodies generate. To do this, people sweat causing a cooling
effect. But unlike humans, dogs and cats do not sweat. They must
pant in order to expel the excess heat through their mouth, thus
making it much easier for them to suffer heat stroke.
At Home
Heat stroke
is a major concern for owners of pets that are left outside
for prolonged periods of time during the summer. If you are
unable to keep your pet inside during the day, there are some
things you can do to protect your pet:
- Leave
PLENTY of water. The number one pet priority for hot summer
months is cool, clean water and lots of it. You may want
to provide several different bowls of water in areas of shade
that your pet can drink from, stand in or splash around in
to cool off.. Keep water bowls, kiddie pools and other containers
in shaded areas and be sure to replace the water frequently.
- Provide
shaded areas. Shaded areas can provide your pet a place to
rest out of the direct heat of the sun. These types of areas
can be shade trees, patio tables, dog houses that face a
breeze, etc. Many pet stores now offer a line of pet supplies
aimed at cooling your pet. For example, there is a small
mister that can be attached to the front of the dog house
or to the edge of a table to gently mist your pet to help
them cool off. There are also chilled pads that will stay
at approximately 70 degrees for a few days.
- If you
must leave your dog outside during the heat this summer,
chances are they will dig. They are digging to create a cool
place to lay down. This may not be something that is pleasing
to you, but do not scold your dog for this behavior. You
would be doing the same thing in 100 degrees with a fur coat
on.
- It is
a good idea to hose down the dog before work, at lunch or
whenever you can to provide extra cooling (if your dog is
not over heated in the first place).
- If you
leave your garage, shed or other areas open during for your
cat to get out of the sun, make sure that there is no way
for them to get trapped inside. Many times the heat in these
areas get just as hot as a sealed car, if not hotter.
If you are
concerned that your pet may be experiencing heat stress or
a heat stroke, here are some warning signs:
- body
temperatures of 104-110F degrees
- flushed
gums
- disorientation
- constant
panting
- vomiting
- weakness
- bloody
diarrhea
If your
pet exhibits these symptoms or any symptom that suggests heat
stroke, contact your vet IMMEDIATELY and then begin cooling
your pet down. Use cool water, not ice water, to cool your
pet. Cooling your pet down can be done by hosing the pet down,
taking the dog into a shower or bath or applying soaked towels.
Ice packs can also be used around the pet's head and neck area.
Offer ice cubes for the animal to lick on until you can reach
your Veterinarian. Just because your animal is cooled and appears
ok, do not assume they are fine. Just like you, your pets internal
organs are affected by body temperature elevation, and blood
tests and veterinary examination are needed to assess this.
In The
Car
Leaving
your pet in the car for just a minute during late spring, summer
and early fall can be fatal. A 70-80 degree day can heat up
the interior of a car to 120-130 degrees in less than 30 minutes
even with the windows cracked or open. With that in mind, think
of how it can get on those 90-110 degree days we often see
in Houston. Caution also needs to be taken when transporting
dogs in the back of pick-ups, the metal beds and those lined
with black bed-liners can cause sever burns on the animals
feet. If you store the your pets crate in the bed of your truck
for travel, the heat from the bed alone can warm the crate
up to the same temperatures as the inside of a closed car.
In The
Park
Also keep
in mind that although you can adjust to summer temperatures
in order to continue your spring activites, your pet can not.
Most dogs are still jogging in their winter coat and can only
cool themselves by panting and sweating a small amount through
their foot pads. This is not enough to keep them at normal
temperatures. Change your routine to early morning or late
evening to prevent your pet from suffering heat stroke. In
hot weather, even walks should be kept to a minimum. With dogs
bodies being so low to the ground, the hot asphalt can make
their bodies can heat up quickly.
So,
in other words, use common sense this summer when it comes
to your pet and heat. Put yourself in their shoes and both
of you will be happy.
