With the weather supposedly getting better soon we would like to remind everyone about the importance of keeping your doggies safe in the hotter parts of the year!
Dogs die in hot cars
There is a common misconception that dogs can stay in cars on a warm day if you are parked in the shade or have the window slightly open but this is false.
Cars can get extremely hot even when it doesn’t feel too warm outside. Though dogs can sweat, it isn’t enough to properly cool them down. When it’s 22 degrees Celsius outside, the car could reach an unbearable 47 degrees within an hour.
What do do if you see a dog in a car on a warm day
If the dog is showing signs of heatstroke then dial 999 and let the police know.
Dogs also die on hot walks
Its not only in warm cars where dogs are in danger. Dogs can also be put in danger when getting exercise on a hot day. This could be from their bodies getting too warm or the ground being too hot to walk on.
Did you know that 10 times more dogs need to visit vets for heat-related illnesses after exercise than dogs who have been in cars?
You will visibly see when a dog is warm. They will start to pant, drink water, find shaded areas or even jump into pools of water. Sadly if a day is extremely hot then these cooling methods aren’t guaranteed to work and the dog could get heat exhaustion which unfortunately can be fatal.
Warning signs of heatstroke in dogs
Heavy panting and difficulty breathing
Excessively drooling
The dog appears lethargic, drowsy or uncoordinated
Collapsed or vomiting
Emergency first aid for heatstroke
- Move the dog to a shaded and cool area
- Immediately pour cool (not cold to avoid shock) water over the dog. Tap water (15-16°C) has been found to be the most effective at cooling dogs with heat-related illnesses. In a true emergency, any water is better than nothing.
- Wet towels placed over the dog can worsen the condition, trapping heat. In mild cases towels can be placed under the dog, but never over.
- Allow the dog to drink small amounts of cool water
- Continue to pour cool water over the dog until their breathing starts to settle, but not too much that they start shivering
- Dogs that have lost consciousness will stop panting, despite still having a very high temperature, these dogs require urgent aggressive cooling as a priority.
- Throughout the treatment of heatstroke try to avoid pouring water on or near your dog’s head, as there is a risk of them inhaling water which could lead to drowning, especially for flat-faced and unconscious dogs.
Once the dog is cool, take them to the nearest vet as a matter of urgency.
