As summer temperatures begin to spike over 100°, pet owners are encouraged to take special
care of their furry friends in order to keep them happy and healthy.
Pets should never be left alone in a parked car for any length of time, not even with air
conditioning on or the windows rolled down. A report from KY3 noted that an air temperature of
90° can rise to 109° in only ten minutes; hitting 133° in just an hour.
Exercise intensity should also be taken into consideration during the summer. It may be helpful
to move walks to the early morning or late evening, or shorten exercise time. All Creatures
Animal Clinic reported that short-nosed, very young, and very old dogs are at a higher risk of
heatstroke.
“We’ve been seeing a lot of pad burns recently,” said Mark Hale, DVM, of All Creatures. He
explained that these burns happen very frequently, and are a big problem for pets. Because pet
paw pads can be burned on hot roads, opting for a grass walk is much safer.
Wherever pets are staying, it’s important that they have shade from trees or a tarp, and plenty of
water. Dog houses make heat worse because they restrict airflow, so it’s important to have an
open shaded area. Ice can also be put in water bowls to give pets a cooler drink.
“Heat stroke can happen in a short period of time,” Hale warns, “and it can become deadly
quickly.” All Creatures Animal Clinic says signs of heatstroke include “bright red or pale gray
gums, rapid panting, weakness, sticky drool, vomiting, diarrhea, staggering or stumbling, shock,
or seizures.”
If your pet is showing any of these symptoms, call your local veterinarian immediately and cool
your pet out of the sun with wet towels on the stomach or groin, with cool, not cold, water.
“The key to avoiding heatstroke is always prevention,” says an article from All Creatures Animal
Clinic. It is important for pet owners to take responsibility to make sure their pets stay happy and
healthy throughout these hot summer months.
Please visit AllCreaturesBolivar.com/heat_alert for more information, or call your local
veterinarian.
