With the warmer weather encouraging outdoor activities, we have to keep an eye out for the members of our family who can’t let us know something is wrong. Whether it’s going to be a quick trip to the store, or a full day at the river, our pets also need to stay hydrated and cool. If you are planning on carting your f
urry friends around with you this summer, please be aware of their health. Do not leave them outside for extended periods of time, and do not leave them in your car while you are running errands. Even with the windows rolled down, animals are still able to overheat and experience heat stroke.
Animals don’t cool down the way that we do. They must be cooled gradually as the shock of going from one temperature to another can be dangerous. Though heat can cause a majority trouble, humidity also plays a part. When there is excessive humidity animals are unable to cool themselves properly, which allows them to overheat. This means that even in the shade, our pets can still overheat. The signs to look out for when your animal is experiencing heat stroke are: excessive panting, tongues turning bright red, their bodies radiating heat, the animal becoming unresponsive, seizures, muscle tremors, and dizziness.
A few things you can do if you start to see these symptoms in your pets:
- Get the animal into a bath/shower and run cool (not cold) water over them
- Apply a cold pack to the animal’s head
- Rub the animal’s legs to increase circulation
- Provide the animal with as much cool (not cold) water as it needs
Even if your pet cools down and resumes normal behavior, it is important to take them to the vet as soon as you can. If your animal’s symptoms persist, take them to an emergency vet immediately. In the veterinary office they are able to monitor complications from heat stroke, such as kidney failure, neurological symptoms, abnormal clotting, and changes in blood pressure.
Here at Reid Goodwin we would like to remind everyone to stay safe and aware this summer. If you ever find yourself or a family member injured, please contact one of our experienced attorneys to assist you.