Don't Let Family Pet Become A Hot Dog, Warns Colorado State University Veterinarian
Tuesday, May 19, 1998
FORT COLLINS--Summer's here, and while you and your family
frolic in the out-of-doors, don't forget that warmth and sunshine
could spell serious illness or death for your dog.
Deborah S. Greco, associate professor of clinical sciences
at Colorado State University's Veterinary Teaching Hospital, sums
up hot-weather dog care: don't leave a dog in an enclosed area,
especially a vehicle.
"The primary problem we see in summer is that animals are
confined to a small space, usually a car," she said. "A vehicle
can sustain a rise in temperature that can reach 110 or 120
degrees Fahrenheit within a few minutes, in which case the dog is
unable to dissipate heat and becomes affected by the high
environmental temperatures."
In an enclosed space - including metal sheds or even
confinement on a short tether in a sunlit area - "It's only a
matter of minutes before an animal succumbs to heat exhaustion,"
she said.
Dogs dissipate most body heat by panting, and snub-nosed
breeds have more trouble cooling themselves than those with
longer snouts. Cooling off is more difficult for obese animals
than for those with less fat. And individual animals in a vehicle
are affected by factors like the outside temperature, intensity
of sunlight, how far the windows are open and the relative
humidity.
If you see an animal confined to a vehicle and if that
animal is panting heavily, call 911 or another emergency service
to have the dog removed immediately.
"The best method for cooling down an overheated animal is to
wet the dog down with water and, as soon as possible, transfer
the dog to a veterinary facility," Greco said.
The same problem doesn't exist with cats, which rarely
develop heatstroke.
"They are desert animals and they have more efficient
mechanisms for cooling themselves than dogs," she said, although
she doesn't advise keeping any animal in an overheated vehicle
for any amount of time.
In general, if you have to leave a dog outside in open air
for any period of time, make sure the animal has unlimited
drinking water, a small wading pool with clean water in which to
cool off and lots of shade. That, a short summer haircut (not
shaved, however; dogs can get sunburned) and prevention are the
best cure.
"If you love your dog, leave him at home," Greco said.
"Don't put him in the car, particularly in the summertime."
If you do take your pet for a ride, say to a park, don't
take any chances, Greco said.
"Don't leave the dog in the car unattended for any amount of
time at all," she said. "That's the best rule."
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