Take care of your pet during heat wave

With 100-degree temperatures baking the metro area in recent days, the Albuquerque Animal Welfare Department is reminding pet owners to be mindful of their four-legged friends during the summer months.

“The extreme heat can pose a danger to pets,” the department says, and offered a few reminders courtesy of the Humane Society of the United States. The include:

Never leave your pets in a parked car. On a warm day, temperatures inside a vehicle can rise rapidly to dangerous levels. Shade and water are musts. Limit exercise on hot days. On very hot days, limit exercise to early morning or evening hours.

Recognize the signs of heatstroke. Some signs are: heavy panting, glazed eyes, a rapid heartbeat, restlessness, excessive thirst, lethargy, fever dizziness, lack of coordination, profuse salivation, vomiting, a deep red or purple tongue and unconsciousness. If your pet shows heatstroke symptoms, take steps immediately to gradually lower his or her body temperature and contact your veterinarian as soon as possible. Follow these tips, and it could save your pet’s life: move your pet into the shade or an air-conditioned area; apply ice packs or cold towels to your pet’s head, neck and chest or run cool (not cold) water over your pet; let your pet drink small amounts of cool water or lick ice cubes; take your pet directly to a veterinarian.