When traveling with your pet during the summer months, it is important to be careful to avoid having to leave him alone in the car. An animal should never be left alone in a car especially on sunny days, even if it is not a heat wave.
As examples:
When it is 35 ° C, the car turns into a real oven. In a quarter of an hour, the temperature approaches 60 ° C, which causes a state of extreme hyperthermia. An animal can die in 20 minutes in a parked car, even when the windows are slightly open. Even if the outside temperature is around 22 ° C, the interior of a car interior can reach a temperature of 47 ° C within sixty minutes.
Normally, to control body temperature, an animal can haul. However, inside a car interior, the process is less efficient, even if the windows are ajar. The body temperature of the animal can therefore increase rapidly and this increase causes a phenomenon known as “heatstroke”.
Heatstroke can be deadly. All animals are likely to develop heatstroke. However, some animals are more prone to suffer from this problem. For example, animals with a dense coat, young animals, old animals, very muscular animals, obese animals and animals with a short snout are at higher risk.
HOW TO IDENTIFY A HEATSTROKE AND WHAT TO DO TO HELP MY ANIMAL?
When an animal is unable to control his body temperature to a safe level, he may develop heatstroke (hyperthermia). The clinical signs that can be noticed in this animal are :
- An increase in the heart rate
- Panting with hypersalivation
- A loss of coordination during his travels
- General fatigue and inability to get up
- Redness in the gums and tongue
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- Loss of consciousness
If your pet has these signs, it is important to take them to a cool place and call your veterinarian immediately.
Heatstroke can be fatal for your pet and should be considered a medical emergency. It is important to lower the body temperature of your pet gradually. As a treatment at home, it is possible to put the animal in a bath filled with warm-cold water, or to apply compresses of cold water on him or to shower him with a warm-cold jet. You can let it drink small amounts of cold water. As soon as possible transport your pet to your vet.
WHAT CAN I DO TO AVOID THE HEAT?
- NEVER leave your pet alone in the car. Make sure before transport that you can keep your pet with you at all times.
- If you have to leave your dog outside during the day, make sure he has access to clean, cool water and a place in the shade at all times.
- For the daily exercise of your pet, plan to exercise early or late in the day during periods of heat wave.
- Your pet is likely to suffer from sunburn. Ask your veterinarian for sun protection for your pet.