WAKE ANIMAL ADVOCATES GROUP

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Rising temperatures can be a real threat to your pet’s health.  Here are some tips to keep your pet safe.

• Make sure your pet has a shaded, protected area and water while outside.  Animals can drink large amounts of water when it is hot, so make sure your pet has lots of cool, clean water.

• When walking your pet, do so in the early morning or late evening.  Check the temperature of the sidewalk or road before allowing your dog to walk on it.  If the pavement feels too hot for your hand, it is too hot for your dog’s paws.

• When you take your pet to the beach, check the temperature of the sand.  Just like pavement, hot sand can burn the pads on your pet’s feet.

• Never leave your pet unattended around water.

• Never leave your pet in your car.  With your car windows completely open, temperatures can reach 120 degrees within just a few minutes.  Cracking windows does not help.

• When traveling with your pet allow time for stops for your pet’s comfort.  Traveling can be stressful.  Never let your pet's head to be outside the window.

Although we want our pets with us, sometimes the best care we can give our pets is to leave them at home in a cool environment with plenty of water.

The following information provided by www.petplace.com

Normal dogs dissipate heat from their skin. In addition, panting allows evaporation of water from the respiratory tract and is an effective method of heat dissipation. When these mechanisms are overwhelmed, hyperthermia and heat stroke usually develop. The elevation in body temperature stimulates the body to release substances that activate inflammation.

Heat-related illnesses, including heat stroke, heat exhaustion and heat cramps can occur after exposure to extremely high environmental temperatures. These illnesses occur in all mammals and can be prevented by taking proper precautions.

Animals at greatest risk for heat-related illness include:

•  Puppies up to 6 months of age

•  Overweight dogs

•  Dogs overexerted during exercise

•  Dogs that are ill or receiving certain medications

•  Brachycephalic breeds (dogs with short, wide heads like pugs, English bulldogs, Boston terriers)

•  Dogs with obstructive airway diseases

•  Dogs with pre-existing fever

•  Dogs that are dehydrated

•  Dogs with heart disease

•  Dogs with poor circulation due to cardiovascular or other underlying disease

•  Older pets (large breed dogs over 7 years of age, small breed dogs over 14 years of age)

•  Pets with a history of seizures

What to Watch For

•  Noisy breathing that may indicate upper airway obstruction

•  Excessive panting

•  Bright red mucous membranes (gums, conjunctiva of the eyes)

•  Weakness

•  Collapse

•  Coma

•  Altered mentation

•  Petechiae (pinpoint hemorrhages on the gums and/or skin)