Pets and parents alike look forward to
spending the long, sunny days of summer outdoors, but being overeager in hot
weather can spell danger, warn ASPCA experts.
“Even the healthiest pets can suffer
from dehydration, heat stroke and sunburn if overexposed to the heat,” says Dr.
Lila Miller, ASPCA Vice President of Veterinary Outreach, “and heat stroke can
be fatal if not treated promptly.”
Watch out for the following symptoms of
overheating in pets: excessive panting or difficulty breathing, drooling, mild
weakness, stupor and even collapse. Pets can also suffer from seizures, bloody
diarrhea and vomiting, along with an elevated body temperature of over 104
degrees.
Take these simple precautions, provided
by ASPCA experts, to help prevent your pet from overheating. And if you suspect
your pet is suffering from heat stroke, get help from your veterinarian
immediately.
- Avoid dehydration by always having fresh, clean
water available and lots of shady places where pets can cool off. When the
weather’s extremely hot, keep your pets indoors.
- Give your dog a light summer haircut to help prevent
overheating. Shave the hair to a one-inch length, but never down to the
skin, as fur offers protection from the sun. Brushing your cat more often
than usual can also help prevent problems caused by excessive heat.
- When using sunscreen or insect repellent, be sure the
product is labeled specifically for use on animals.
- Never leave an animal alone in a parked vehicle. “On a
hot day, a parked car can become a furnace in no time—even with the
windows open—which could lead to fatal heat stroke,” says Dr. Louise
Murray, Director of Medicine at ASPCA Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital.
