MANSFIELD — Summer is here and with it the conspicuous rise in temperature.
Last month marked the hottest June since 1880, according to NASA and the NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). With temperatures reaching into the 90s this weekend, people should be extra aware of pet safety.
High temperatures mean high risk of heat stroke for pets, especially those left outside all day. Pets can be pre-disposed to heat stroke, according to Dr. Susan Burkhart of the Animal Medical Center of Ontario.
“Usually, you think of dogs when people talk about heat stroke. But we have to watch other outdoor pets, too,” Burkhart said.
Rabbits are especially vulnerable to heat stroke, she noted. So, owners who keep their rabbits in an outside hutch should make sure the hutch is in a shaded area and that the rabbits have plenty of cool water.
“We recommend to our clients not to walk dogs or exercise dogs heavily between the hours of 10 in the morning to three or four, depending on the day.,” Burkhart said.
Missy Houghton, supervisor of the Humane Society of Richland County, recommends during those hot hours of the day that pet owners move their animals somewhere cool.
“We advocate once it gets really high, the mid-to- high 80s and above, that animals are moved to the basement or somewhere cool.”
For dogs kept outside, Houghton suggests a kiddie pool where the dog would be able to cool down its entire body. Furthermore, if you are away for most of the day and are not able to check on your pets, see if a neighbor is able to check on them.
Another tip Burkhart suggests is freezing a Tupperware container full of water and placing it outside in the water dish so that there is a steady supply of cool water. Additionally, it is helpful to come home at lunch or right after dinner to check on the animal’s water supply, or, in other terms, to check on refresh your pet’s water supply at least two times a day.
Hydration and shade are the two key components to countering a pet’s risk of heat stroke. Burkhart also stresses that for shade it is important to make sure that a pet has constant access to a shaded area and not just what seems to be shaded during the earlier hours of the day.
Burkhart and Houghton suggest setting up a shaded area with tarp or something similar.
Anyone concerned a pet is suffering from heat stroke sbould first try getting the animal into a tub or kiddie pool of cool, but not cold, water. While heat stroke does require immediate veterinary attention, it can be an even greater risk to not cool down the pet first.
“If the body temperature stays above 105 for any length of time they can get permanent brain damage or central nerve damage.”
So, it is important to try to decrease a pet’s temperature initially before rushing to the vet. Squirting rubbing alcohol on the animal’s foot pads can also help cool them down very quickly.
Signs of heat stroke in animals include excessive panting, staggering or awkward gait, and sticky or dry tongue or gums.
