06/17/2024
HEAT ADVISORY! ☀️🌡 CAUTION TO OUR CARDIAC PATIENTS!
Weather reports are predicting temperatures in the high-80s and low 90’s for the next week straight. Nice weather for summer, but it can be extremely dangerous for our pets living with heart disease.
When ambient temperatures and humidity rise, the heart has to beat faster and work harder to pump blood to assist with sweating to cool the body. Heart disease decreases cardiac output and affects the heart's ability to contract and properly pump blood through the body’s tissues. If the heart cannot meet the higher demand, congestive heart failure (CHF), collapse and even sudden death can occur.
Restricting exposure to warm weather and high humidity is crucial in helping prevent an emergency situation. Only walk in the morning before temps start to rise, and reduce time spent outside in the heat/humidity. Keep your pets nice and cool in air conditioning!