Pet safety for summer stressed
Local animal care providers offer advice to beat the heat this season
With the National Weather Service’s excessive heat warning in effect until Sunday, local animal care providers are stressing the importance of pet safety.
Many people know to never leave an animal unattended in a car during the extreme heat. Even cracked windows will not stop the inside temperature from climbing to 102 degrees with 85 degree weather, according to the Humane Society of Yuma’s animal cruelty webpage, which shows a dog whose body temperature raises to 107-108 degrees can suffer irreparable brain damage or even death after just 15 minutes or sooner.
With local temperatures nearing 120 degrees, it is needless to say that it is best to keep pets out of cars during the broiling day. Along with this safety measure, there are many other tips that pet owners can keep in mind during the summer.
While it is recommended that pets be kept inside with adequate air conditioning, if they must be left outside Arizona law requires that animals be provided with adequate food, water and shelter.
“We highly suggest letting your pets inside but if you can’t for whatever reason, ensure that they have shade and water all day,” said Lana Shapiro, director of development at HSOY. “All animals are different in how much heat they can withstand so make sure you understand your pet’s needs.”
According to Monica Figueroa, veterinarian technician at Arizona West Veterinary Clinic in Yuma, animals with flat faces such as Pugs and Persian cats are more susceptible to heat stroke due to the fact that they cannot pant as effectively to cool their body down.
Figueroa recommends a small kiddie pool filled with fresh water for dogs to cool off in should they be outside for a long period of time.
“It is not recommended to wet the full dog or cat at any point,” Figueroa noted. “We usually recommend just wetting down the feet and a little bit of the stomach but not dowsing the whole dog.”
The veterinarian technician explained that should a dog be exposed to the heat for an extended period, their body temperature should be brought down gradually to avoid sending it into shock.
She said that cool, fresh water is the best for animals during the extreme heat. Figueroa also advises to avoid placing an outside pet’s drinking water in a metal bowl as it could become scalding hot.
Additionally, she recommends keeping a dog or cat from walking on asphalt during extreme temperatures as an animal’s foot pads can be burned.
“If it’s too hot for us the pavement will be too hot for them as well,” Figueroa
noted.
Knowing the signs of heat stroke can also be vital in saving a pet’s life. Figueroa said the early signs of heat stroke can be a decreased interest in eating or drinking.
Firgueroa added that if heat stroke is suspected, owners should try rubbing isopropyl alcohol on the dog’s foot pads to help cool it down, but avoid using large quantities. The American Red Cross recommends using isopropyl alcohol that is at 70 percent.
Additionally, the Red Cross recommends taking the pet’s temperature and placing water-soaked towels on the dog’s head, neck, feet, chest and abdomen and turning on a fan and pointing it in the dog’s direction.
The American Red Cross lists signs of shock during heat stroke in pets as collapse, body temperature above 104 degrees, bloody diarrhea or vomit, depression stupor, seizures or
coma, excessive panting or difficulty breathing, increased heart rate and salvation.
“Once the vomiting and diarrhea start the pet can start to become unresponsive,” Figueroa said.
The American Red Cross’s website states that during a heat crisis, the aim is to decrease the pet’s body temperature to 103 degrees in the first ten to 15 minutes. Once that temperature is reached, the Red Cross instructs to stop the cooling process because the body temperature will continue to decrease and can plunge dangerously low if one continues to cool the pet for too long.
Calling one’s veterinarian if a heat stroke is suspected in a pet is recommended.
Ironwood Veterinary Clinic lists their after hours number its connects with the clinic on emergency call as (928) 257-1249.
HSOY also lists additional tips for pet safety in hot weather on its website at https://www.hsoyuma. com/cruelty.html.