Summer drive danger to dogs

Richard Bosselman.

The next few months will set a terrible test for pet owners – some will fail, with tragic consequences. The great joy of taking your dog on a driving adventure can easily go bad when the vehicle stops, the humans decamp and Fido is left behind.

I’m a motoring writer. I also have dogs. People occasionally ask about best precautions ‘‘when leaving a dog in the car on a hot day’’. Park in the shade, leave plenty of water, keep windows open for air ventilation?

Some seem surprised when I say none of this makes the cut.

If the car is stopped and we cannot for whatever reason allow the dogs out of their secure area (in the back of our station wagon, behind a mesh), then it’s simple: One of us always stays with them, windows down, even doors open; we give them water (which we always carry, with a bowl), will open the tailgate and sit with the dogs. We’ll also make it a short stay.

But the thing is, if we’re exposing them to powerful heat, it’s a fail already. Our primary plan is to avoid the risk, restricting travel to the cooler parts of the day.

If it’s really sweltering, the dogs don’t get to ride. They’ll be at home, in their nice shady yard.

Fact is, it is risky to carry an animal in a car on a day when the air temperature is above 20deg. That risk skyrockets when the vehicle is parked. On a 22 degree Celsius day, the interior of a cabin can within 30 minutes exceed 40C – as hot as it gets in the dead of summer in a desert.

Starting to understand, now, why they say it can take just six minutes for a dog to die in a hot car?

This isn’t fresh news. Every summer police, local councils, specialists and animal advocates relate dangers. And, every summer, hardly a week goes by when we don’t get to read or hear about a dog having to be rescued from a distressing situation, sometimes too late.

Maybe this summer will be different. New animal welfare regulations introduced in March included one allowing for owners of animals left in hot cars to be liable for a $300 fine. This is on top of previous legislation that allows for police to level charges if they have to break into vehicles in hot weather to let dogs out.

You wonder how owners could be so uncaring. I’d prefer to think it’s more a matter of ignorance of what happens to a dog’s body in overheating and heatstroke situations.

Dogs (and cats) walk a fine line in hot weather as they can’t sweat like humans. They lose heat through dilation of the blood vessels of the skin. Some in the hairless areas of the body (ear flaps, tummies and feet) but, in the main, via the respiratory tract, mouth and nose. Hence, the hotter it gets, the more they pant.

Normal body temperature for a canine is 38-39C. If a dog’s internal temperature goes above 41C it is at risk of heatstroke, aka hyperthermia (the condition of having body temp way above normal, as opposed to hypothermia, which references an abnormally low temp).

Hyperthermia causes thermal injury to body tissues. When ambient temperature increases core body temperature, panting becomes important. However, when the ambient humidity is also increased, panting becomes much less efficient.

Heatstroke is a potential for dogs restrained to a kennel or run in full sunlight or if they’re made to exercise in the full heat of day or simply over-exposed in recreational hot spots like the beach, stony riverbanks, roads and footpaths (hint, if you can’t hold your hand on these surfaces for more than five seconds, they’re too hot for a dog).

However, an enclosed metal and glass cabin – or a ute deck, covered or exposed (bare metal is basically a giant skillet) – provides special torture. In a cabin, your pet is recycling very hot air. Panting gives no relief at all.

The first sign of a dog starting to overheat may be breathing loudly, licking the flanks, walking unsteadily.

The dog is on the verge. From here on, bodily function rapidly breaks down. The heart starts to fail, which means the heat cannot be carried away. The body goes into shock. The dog will collapse.

When internal temperatures surpass 44C, circulation will fail completely. So, kidney failure, lack of oxygen in the brain, internal bleeding. Total body breakdown.

At this point, even if a vet can reverse the physical damage and save the dog’s life, it’s likely to have suffered brain damage.

Large dogs, dogs with short faces such as bulldogs and boxers, overweight or long-coated dogs are most at risk.

The darker the fur colour, the greater the heat soak. But don’t think light colours or shorter coats are ‘‘safe’’. Every dog has the potential to suffer from heatstroke.

If you see signs of overheating, wet a towel and drape it over the dog’s back, or directly wet their back and sides to cool by evaporation. Do not use ice.

Immediately seek a vet. Potential of mortality worsens with every second. Fluid replacement, aggressive cooling techniques, oxygen therapy, circulatory support and monitoring of organ systems are required for at least 24-48 hours. There is zero guarantee of outcome.

If you see a dog in distress in a car on a hot day, phone the police.

Hundreds of pets die each year when they are left alone in parked cars.

Once the outside air temp reaches beyond 20C your vehicle is set to become a hot box. Even parking in shade might not help.

Summer fun. But extreme care is need when pets come for the ride.

Heat warnings apply to cats as well. Although they’re not generally as keen on cars.