Pet Adoption Information - How to help a pet with heatstroke
Posted on July 24, 2008
Filed Under Pet Adoption |
Warm temperatures this summer could lead to your dog suffering heatstroke, dehydration or even death if left in your car for too long without decent ventilation. The RSPCA receive over 6,000 calls a year from the general public, worried and concerned about a dog left alone in a car.
Whether we buy a pet or get one through a pet adoption scheme, under the animal welfare act we have a legal duty to look after out pets correctly and make sure that they live happy lives. Penalties for animal cruelty purposely or accidentally can lead to a fine of £20,000 or a prison sentence!
The facts about leaving your pet in a vehicle, caravan or conservatory for a large amount of time:
- Even at a low temperature outside, the temperature inside a car can double with an hour.
- Cloudy weather can change quickly.
- Overweight or heavily muscled dogs are more prone to heatstroke although if you leave any dog long enough they will suffer.
- Air conditioned vehicles reach the same temperature as outside as soon as 5 minutes after turning it off.
Signs that your dog may have heatstroke are the following:
- Quick paced pulse
- Panting and salivating more than normal
- Lack of co-ordination, vomiting, seizures and/or diarrhoea
- In extreme cases coma or death.
How to treat a pet with heatstroke:
- Move you’re pet to a colder place so that they can get back to a normal temperature and call your local vet for more advice.
- Cool your dog down with water. (not too cold as it might make your dog shiver)
- Give your dog small quantities of cool water
- Continue to do the above until their breathing settles and then take them to your local vetinary hospital or pet adoption shelter.
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Appreciate you information. Friends reccommended to visit you. Good thing. Added in favourites! Want to read your blog more and more!
Hi Dik, cheers for the compliment. There should be more on here soon!