Pets Suffer From Heat Exhaustion

August 1st, 2008 Posted in Reptile Pets

Lying in the grass, unprotected from the blazing July sun while donning a fur coat would not appeal to many, but for others it’s not a choice. Some pets are suffering from heat exhaustion this summer due to the thoughtlessness of their owners.

Just as it is not a good idea to leave children in the car, it’s the same with animals, said veterinarian Dr. Kathy Lindstrom. Even with the windows cracked it can still get too hot.

While pets are outside they should be provided with plenty of water. And one of the most important things they need is a cooling system, whether it is water in a wading pool or shade from an umbrella or tree, Lindstrom said.

Small plastic wading pools are a good, common way dog owners have found to keep their pets happy. There is never the worry of the dog’s drinking water evaporating and they can splash around in it to stay cool. Water misters are another method for protecting animals from heat exhaustion, she said.

Certain breeds of dogs are more susceptible to heat than others, she said. She said some are more acclimated to warmer weather while others are not.

Flat-faced breeds such as pugs and bulldogs cannot manage being in the heat as long as other breeds, Lindstrom said. Small dogs that normally reside indoors aren’t used to intense heat and shouldn’t be left outside for long periods of time.

Some dog owners believe shaving their pets will make them cooler in the summer, she said. However, depending on the breed of dog, fur coats shield the heat and shaving it off makes them vulnerable to soaking up the sun.

Among breeds similar to golden retrievers and labs, there is an undercoat that sheds off in the summer while the top remains as an insulator to keep them cool, dog groomer Aubrey Seamons said. She said dogs who regularly get hair cuts, most commonly smaller breeds, are better off without the excessive amounts of fur.

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