Scorching heat leaves 80% of city dogs, cats, birds sick

The sudden increase in temperature has not only affected humans but also animals. According to data provided by Parel’s veterinary hospital, more than 400 animals including dogs, cats and birds have been affected by dehydration and heat-stroke. A senior doctor said for the past two months there has been fluctuation in temperature which has led to more animals being admitted to the hospital this year for the treatment.

“The number has increased this year to more than 80 per cent, as the animals were diagnosed with dehydration at the hospital,” said a doctor.

The animal rights activists said the urbanisation and cutting down of the trees are the reason for the animals falling prey to heat in this scorching summer.

“At a time when the temperature is rising up to 38 degree, due to lack of shed and water, the birds are facing the problem of dehydration. Due to rising urbanisation, the trees are cutting down and birds are losing their sheds which are making them fall sick,” said Anuradha Mehra, an animal right activist.

Due to the heat in 2015, 160 birds fell sick that raise up to 199 in 2018 until March end. In the past four years, 714 birds have been brought to the hospital for treatment. Moreover, until March 2018, around 200 dogs have been brought to the hospital for dehydration and diarrhoea.

In 2015, 144 dogs were given treatment at the hospital that rose to 159 in 2018. From 2015 to till date, 603 dogs were admitted at the hospital for the same medical reasons. In fact, cats are also not spared from the heat through the numbers are far lesser in comparison to other animals. So far, 66 cats are being admitted at the hospitals for treatment.

“Pet dogs are more vulnerable to heat than stray dogs. The pet dogs are kept inside AC room and when they are taken out for a walk, the heat affects their health. However, unlike the way the problem of stray dogs is much less,” said Dr JC Khanna. The animal activists have also requested

to commuters to keep water in pots on their windows and balconies so that thirsty birds can at least drink water in this heat.

The animal rights activists say the urbanisation and cutting down of trees are the main reason for them to fall prey to the scorching summer heat