Don’t Leave Pets in Cars: OverHeating Kills!

Please—don’t leave your dog in the car! A parked vehicle can become an oven that will literally bake your dog …

Never leave your dog or other pet in a parked car, not even to run in for a “quick” errand. The inside temperature of your car is about 20 degrees hotter than the outside temperature. This means that on an 85 degree Fahrenheit day the interior of your vehicle is 102 degrees F. Even if you leave the windows cracked open or park in a shady spot the interior temperature will continue to rise. This is because the vehicle’s ambient heat is retained by its windows and upholstery— the dog’s own body heat will also add to this rise in temperature.

Unlike humans, dogs have no way of expelling heat from their body except through their paws and their tongue. In addition, their internal temperature is between 101 degrees and 102 degrees, much higher than a humans. If heat is not expelled rapidly enough his internal temperature will keep rising. It only takes a rise of 3 degrees to put your dog into the danger zone.

When a dog’s internal temperature reaches 108 degrees F. all the internal organs begin to rapidly break down. Even immediate treatment and rapid cooling (to bring the temperature down) can leave a dog with permanent organ and brain damage.

Did you know that a parked car’s temperature can rise 34 degrees a minute? A parked vehicle becomes an oven that will literally bake your dog from the inside out. Even a quick errand into the store on a 95 degree day can result in the death of your pet. Think about it, if the outside temperature is 90 degrees F. your car’s interior will hit 110 degrees within just a few moments and it will keep rising! If it is 100 degrees outside (as it often is here in Texas) your dog will be roasting in a 120 degree car!

If you see a dog locked inside a car on a hot day do not hesitate to call for help, if the outside temperature is 80 degrees or hotter than please break open the window and release the animal immediately!

If you witness an animal locked in a car during hot weather and you live in Austin call 311. If you are using a cell phone and you are reporting an incident in Austin you can call 515-972-4738. Otherwise call your local Sheriff’s office or other local authorities and for the sake of the animal take immediate action to rescue it.

Heat Stroke In Dogs: How to Prevent It!

A Word about Heat Stroke

When exercising or walking you dog during the hot months of summer please be cautious. Heat stroke can occur very quickly in dogs, particularly in high-energy dogs or older dogs. The spring and autumn months are also times to be on the lookout for heat stroke. Often the balmy days of spring and early autumn lull us into a sense of complacency. On a nice spring day this year, a client took their dog to a park in Austin. They were walking around pushing their little one in a stroller when suddenly their dog collapsed. It turned out to be heat stroke. Thankfully the dog was saved but he remained hospitalized for 14 days and it took months for him to recover.

Here’s what you can do if you are taking your dog outside during the summer :

• Bring several 16 ounce water bottles. [Before this teach your dog to drink directly from the bottle (it's easier than you think). Slightly raise the water bottle to one side of his mouth (so you avoid his nose) and allow a few drops to fall on the side of his muzzle, he will begin licking the water off. Once he starts licking the water you can then place the water bottle directly at the front of his mouth allowing the water to slowly trickle out. He'll start lapping it up.]

• Bring a small spray bottle (can be purchased at most grocery stores) filled with water and set the nozzle to mist. Keep a fine mist on the dog while walking directly in the sun. (Misting lowers the temperature by 5-10 degrees.)

• Give the dog plenty of opportunity to rest, even if he does not want to.

• Provide as much shade for the dog as possible.

• Keep activities limited to the early morning or early evening hours, when the temperatures are lower.

• Avoid activities during high humidity days

Signs of an impending heat stroke:

1. Rapid breathing
2. Dry mouth and nose
3. Rapid heart-rate
4. Dull, greyish-pink or red gums —THIS IS AN EMERGENCY!

If any of these signs are present get your dog to a veterinarian immediately. These symptoms can be followed in minutes by collapse, seizures, coma and death.