Summer heat affects pets, too

By: OANow Staff | Opelika Auburn News
Published: June 15, 2008

It is summer in Alabama and it is hot. The rising heat index does not just raise people’s body temperatures — it also affects pets.

“Heat stroke is the most common (illness). They get too hot basically,” said Dr. Ted Bellhorn, a veterinarian at the Small Animal Clinic at Auburn University. “We see more dogs with problems, because cats go where it’s shady. Dogs are left outside more.”

Dogs will often knock their water bowl over when left outside, Bellhorn said, and owners will not realize it. Also, dogs must have adequate shade.

But there is an even bigger problem — leaving pets in a vehicle.

“A lot of people say, ‘I’m just going to run to the store and put them in the car,’” he said. “You have to have both windows open all they way … Just cracking it a little bit is not going to work.”

Some of the signs of heat exhaustion or stroke in pets are mental confusion, excessive panting and bloody diarrhea.

“Dogs tend to get rid of the heat from breathing it out … You’ll see them panting a lot,” he said.

If pets are showing these symptoms, they should be taken to a vet immediately, Bellhorn said.

Fan the pet or wet it with cool towels if its temperature reaches above 102, Bellhorn said.

Alison Macneish, the spay and neuter coordinator at the Lee County Humane Society, said it is against the law in Opelika to leave a dog or cat in a car alone.

“That’s actually a city ordinance, not to leave animals in the car,” she said.

There is no similar ordinance in Auburn, she said.

Dr. Kim Bond, from All Creatures Veterinary Clinic in Auburn, also sees a lot of animals who have overheated in cars.

“That is a huge no-no,” she said.

As for the outdoors, she recommends taking precautions. “Spill resistant water bowls can be very important … they can save their lives.”

Shade is also important, but a doghouse may not work. “Sometimes doghouses are made specifically for warmth in the winter,” she said.

It is better to use vegetation or an awning for shade.

She gives the same advice as Bellhorn for heat exhaustion, but says to wet dogs with caution.

“Be careful not to put it in a shock situation,” she said.

The water cannot be too cold, she said.

Pet owners are fortunate in Auburn, she said, because of the presence of 24-hour clinics and the auburn vet school.