The Dangers of Heat and Your Pet

           

            May is the most common month for heat stress in pets.  It is the first few warm days that pose the biggest threat for heat injury in our pets. Heat stress and the resulting elevation of body temperature (hyperthermia) are often fatal.  
            Heat injury can occur at temperatures as low as 70-75 degrees early in the year before pets are acclimatized to the warmth.  Many pets are overweight and out of shape after a winter of inactivity.  Avoid letting your pets have excessive exercise or excitement in warmer weather.  
            Although all pets are susceptible to heat stress, certain characteristics will increase their risk. Pets with a respiratory or cardiovascular disease can be in danger at even moderate temperatures.  Elderly or very young pets are at increased risk also. The nasal passages play an important role in the cooling of inspired air.  For this reason, breeds with short noses, such as pugs or bulldogs, should be watched closely.
           Despite widespread publicity, every year many pets die when left unattended in a hot car.  There is no summer day that is cool enough or shady enough to leave a pet in the car without monitoring him.

            Keeping your pet at home in an air conditioned area is the best way to decrease the likelihood of heat stress.  If this is not practical, be sure your pet is kept in a shaded area with plenty of fresh water.

            In hot weather all pets should be monitored hourly for any signs of heat stress.   These signs include panting, a rapid heartbeat, and dehydration. Dehydration can be estimated in dogs and cats by gently raising a small piece of skin and observing how quickly it springs back into place.  You will want to practice this on your pets a few times when they are healthy so that you can see what it normally looks like.

            If heat stress is not treated, your pet will eventually collapse into a coma and die.  If you suspect that your pet may be becoming hyperthermic, immediately move him into an air-conditioned area and begin applying cool water.  Ice packs can also be placed between the hind legs.

            Call the Animal Hospital of McHenry immediately and describe the signs you are seeing.  Pets with all but the mildest cases of heat stress will need to be examined and monitored by trained staff.  Intravenous fluids and medications are often necessary to correct dehydration and shock.

            One danger in the treatment of heat stress is called rebound hypothermia.  This is when the body overcompensates for the heat stress by lowering the body temperature too far.  For this reason it is important that the temperature is monitored periodically for several hours with a rectal thermometer.  Normal temperature in dogs and cats is averages 99.5 to 102.5 degrees.