Safety

Warm Weather Safety Tips

Hot weather will be upon us soon and it never hurts to be reminded how quickly heat can be fatal to our pets.

Here's some advice gleaned from Wild Things columnist Mike Cappuzo and the National Humane Education Society:

Outside Shelter:  If your dog is going to spend time outside, it must always have a shady and sheltered place to rest.

Food and Water:  Due to the heat, many dogs and cats are less active in the summer and may need less food. Also, the availability of lots of cool, clean water is more vitally important than ever. Refresh water bowls often and be sure the bowls can't tip over.

Heatstroke and Panting:  Heatstroke is a swift killer. Unlike humans who sweat to cool themselves, dogs and cats cool by panting -breathing in through the nose and out through the mouth. This draws air over the moist membranes of the nose and tongue and cools by evaporation.  But panting only works for a short time. Prolonged panting can critically upset the metabolic system.

Dogs tend to be more affected by heat than cats, probably because of their very different dispositions. In the heat of the day, dogs persist in being more active, particularly if another dog or a strange person comes near, they jump and bark excitedly to protect their turf, while cats might not even lift an eyelid, preferring to save their excitement for the cool of night.  It is probably wise to limit exercising your dogs to the cooler hours of early morning or later evening.

However, confinement is the greatest perpetrator of heatstroke. Never leave a cat or dog in a parked car in warm weather -even for a short time with the windows open! This is the leading summer deathtrap for our pets. Temperatures inside a parked, poorly ventilated car can rapidly climb to 100-120 degrees (F) even on a relatively mild 75- to 80-degree day, even in the shade, according to Terri McGinnis, veterinarian author of The Well Cat Book.

If a dog's temperature climbs to 110 degrees, he can easily die, says veterinarian Bruce Fogle. (Incidentally, it's also dangerous to leave a dog alone in a car with the heater on in the winter. In both cases, a dog overheats and is unable to cool himself down.)

The first symptoms of heatstroke in cats and dogs are the same: laborious panting, drooling, increased pulse rate, bright red tongue and gums and an anxious or staring expression. The animal may then collapse. YOU MUST TAKE EMERGENCY ACTION. Immediate immersion in cool water (not ice-cold) is vital. If you can't immerse your pet, use a shower or soak a dog's fur and skin with cold water; spray your cat with cool water and apply cold packs to the neck and abdominal area. For both cats and dogs, massage the skin and flex and extend the legs to help circulation. Cooling the body back to normal is often not sufficient to save its life, so you need to rush it to your vet (doing as much as you can in the back seat while a friend drives), where treatment will continue.

Prevent heat stroke in cats and dogs by carrying water with you when you travel on hot days and giving your pet small amounts frequently. Wet towels placed over your dog or cat, or over the cat's carrier, will provide cooling by evaporation. Clipping a long-haired dog or cat is, despite common belief, NOT an effective way to prevent heat prostration.

Be extra careful with old dogs, fat dogs, and smushed-nose dogs, such as the bull breeds, who all have more trouble with hot weather.

Skin Diseases and Grooming:  Your companion animal may have more skin problems in warm weather. If s/he is scratching more than usual or has raw skin, call your vet. Daily brushing will keep your pet's coat healthy and clean. Regular brushing will reduce the frequency of need for baths (even for therapy animals!). Consider your animal's appearance, odor and feel -as well as your type of clients and frequency of visits- as guides to decide how often to do summer baths.

Precautions Even During Play:  It is also very easy for active dogs who are retrieving and working hard to overheat. It is still a condition that can kill your dog in minutes. Remember, when you combine playing and wanting to please you, your dog often doesn't know when to quit and it's up to you to monitor the situation appropriately.

The same symptoms apply: panting, salivating and collapse.  Move your dog out of the sun immediately, clear his mouth of saliva, sponge his face and head with cool water, and wrap him in a cool, wet towel. Pour cool water on the towel every few minutes and allow him to drink. You could also put your pets feet in cool water and pour cool water on her stomach and chest.

If your dog has a double coat, make sure the water gets all the way to his skin and don't put a towel on his back. The towel can stop evaporation and actually work like a sauna or steamer.

Unless you consider yourself an expert, you'd best head for your vet if things go this far. As always, preventing the situation is your best insurance against tragedy.

Enjoy the sunshine in the coming months and listen to what your pet is saying!