12/12/2024
Summer has arrived with a vengeance! It is hot! If you are feeling the heat, so are your pets. Imagine having all that fur, being exercised in this heat, walking on bare feet on the hot road and pathways and not being able to tell your owner that you are REALLY feeling the heat!
There are very critical dangers of heatstroke in our pets, and with temperatures set to soar, it is imperative to ensure that you put safeguard actions in place to keep your animals safe from overheating. Heatstroke in pets is not only deadly, which when understanding the potential risk, I am sure none of us would intentionally put our pets in this situation.
Heatstroke occurs when your pets’ body temperature elevates to a dangerously high level, which overwhelms their body’s natural cooling system. Signs of heatstroke can rapidly develop and can include:
• Drooling: excessive saliva production accompanied by,
• Excessive panting: rapid and heavy panting (this is your pets attempt to cool down)
• Elevated heart rate: the heart pumps faster to attempt to dispel the heat
• Lethargy and weakness: your pet appears tired and not very responsive
• Vomiting and diarrhoea: gastrointestinal distress
• Collapse or seizures: in extreme cases, your pet can experience these conditions
It is crucial to take all of these symptoms very seriously in Australia’s severe heat conditions.
The great news here is that all of these symptoms are completely avoidable with a few simple steps, and a lot of common sense. Here are a few things to consider in aiding your pet to keep cool:
• Provide plenty of shade and hydration: ensure your pets have access to cool shaded areas along with multiple sources of fresh cool water which is also kept away from sunlight
• Modify exercise routines: ensure that any physical activity is kept to early morning or early evening when temperatures are cooler to avoid exercising during the hottest part of the day
• Avoid walking on hot surfaces: test the temperature of the ground with the back of your hand, if it is too hot for your hand, it is too hot for your pets paws (bearing in mind that dirt, sand and grass can also be extremely hot)
• Provide cooling aids: consider cooling mats or pads for them to lie on to help regulate their body heat. Additionally, offer cold treats like frozen fruit or vege’s and Greek yogurt treats, you can even give them a frozen bone or Kong. If your pet is a water lover, set up a kiddie pool for them to cool off in
• NEVER LEAVE PETS IN VEHICLES: vehicle temperatures can reach lethal temperatures very quickly in our Australian environment. NEVER leave your pet in an unattended car, even with the windows cracked or even if the car is in the shade, if you do, you are posing a significant risk to your pets wellbeing
If you notice your pet showing any of these signs in the summer heat, or you think your pet is experiencing heatstroke:
• Move your pet to a cooler environment immediately: shaded areas, in front of a fan or in the air conditioning
• Gradually cool your pet down: use cool water (not cold) to dampen your pets body focusing on the under arms and groin and tummy area
• Seek veterinary care: even if you contact them for further advice and treatment recommendations
Your proactive efforts are vital in these situations and it is inevitably up to us as the owners, carers and advocates of our pets to ensure they are kept safe, happy and healthy. Please do your best to keep your pets cool this summer – heatstroke is a very serious condition.
While you are at it, remember to keep an eye on your own body’s temperature this summer as we can also become victim to heatstroke, especially the elderly.
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