25/06/2024
❗️❗️HEAT KILLS DOGS❗️❗
READ ON FOR PREVENTION TIPS AND CORRECT FIRST AID ADVICE
Every summer warnings are plastered all over social media about the dangers of hot weather and dogs getting heatstroke. Yet I still see people walking dogs in the blazing sun, and hear of people leaving their dogs in cars!! It can get too hot in the back of a car even when you're driving so don't EVER leave your dog in a car!! It doesn't matter if you've left windows down or left them with water, just don't do it, they can still die!
I thought it was common sense, I thought everyone knew that this was a dangerous and cruel act, but apparently not. The owners of a dog at a local festival this weekend clearly didn't realise that leaving their dog in their car was an issue, which resulted in the police having to smash the window after it became distressed, and then arresting the owner! 😡 IF YOU OWN A DOG YOU SHOULD KNOW THE RISKS AND THE SUFFERING THAT HEAT CAN CAUSE. GO AND SIT IN THE CAR WITH A COAT ON IN THE HEAT TO SEE HOW QUICKLY IT GETS UNCOMFORTABLE!!
I have seen first hand when I worked as a Veterinary Nurse, how awful the effects of heatstroke can be. I've assisted many times during summer months with dogs needing emergency treatment. Some of them didn't make it, it's horrendous and heartbreaking to see.
🚫 PREVENTION 🚫
☀️ DON'T WALK DURING THE DAY - EARLY MORNING OR EVENING WALKS ONLY
☀️ IF THE GROUND IS TOO HOT TO TOUCH IT WILL BURN THEIR PAWS
☀️ MAKE SURE THEY HAVE ACCESS TO COOL WATER ALL DAY
☀️ NEVER MAKE UNNECESSARY TRIPS IN THE CAR WITH YOUR DOG AND REMEMBER THE BACK OF CARS GET HOTTER AND YOU MAY NOT REALISE
☀️ NEVER LEAVE YOUR DOG IN A CAR EVEN ON A MILDLY WARM DAY
☀️ CERTAIN BREEDS, DOGS WITH HEALTH ISSUES, PUPPIES AND OLDER DOGS ARE MORE LIKELY TO SUFFER FROM THE HEAT MORE THAN OTHERS.
🆘 HEATSTROKE FIRST AID 🆘
☀️ IF YOU NOTICE EXCESSIVE PANTING, DROOLING, VOMITING OR SIGNS OF DISTRESS, POUR TAP WATER (APPROX 15 DEGREES) OVER THEM IF THEY ARE CONSCIOUS, DO THIS SLOWLY AND GRADUALLY SO THEY DON'T PANIC, TAKING CARE NOT TO POUR IT OVER THE HEAD SO THEY DO NOT BREATHE IN ANY WATER
☀️ IF THEY ARE UNCONSCIOUS, THEY WILL COOL DOWN SLOWER AS THEY WILL HAVE STOPPED PANTING (THE MAIN WAY THEY KEEP COOL) SO YOU CAN USE COOLER WATER AS THIS WILL HELP TO COOL THEM MORE RAPIDLY, AGAIN SLOWLY AND GRADUALLY ESPECIALLY TAKING CARE THEY DON'T BREATHE IN WATER - DO NOT USE ICE COLD WATER
☀️ DO NOT USE WATER SOAKED TOWELS OVER THEM AS THIS CAN TRAP HEAT AND PREVENT AIRFLOW. MOVE THEM TO SHADE IMMEDIATELY AND LIE THEM ON A WET TOWEL
☀️ SPONGE THE WATER ON THEM AND CONCENTRATE ON AREAS WITH THE THINNEST FUR (UNDERBELLY, BETWEEN HIND LEGS AND FEET)
☀️ DO NOT ALLOW THEM TO OVERDRINK AS THEY CAN GET WATER POISONING, SO ALWAYS OFFER WATER IN STAGES
☀️ SEEK EMERGENCY VETERINARY TREATMENT IMMEDIATELY IF YOU SUSPECT YOUR DOG HAS HEATSTROKE
❗️MYTH❗️ - POURING WATER ON THEM WILL RESTRICT BLOOD FLOW PREVENTING THEM FROM COOLING DOWN AND LEAD TO ORGAN FAILURE - THIS HAS BEEN DISPROVEN, AND ANY WATER AS LONG AS IT'S COOLER THAN THEIR BODY TEMPERATURE WILL HELP, BUT REMEMBER TO DO THIS SLOWLY AND GRADUALLY WITH TEPID WATER SO THEY DON'T GO INTO SHOCK - SHIVERING WILL INCREASE BODY TEMPERATURE
https://heatstroke.dog/2018/08/02/cold-as-ice-keeping-hot-dogs-cool/
⚠️Tomorrow is going to be 27 degrees!! Please do not bring your dogs to the shop when it's this hot! Do not take them anywhere! Please! 🙏
