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Veterinarians in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs, want to remind pet owners of the dangers to pets, of heatstroke, if left in cars. With the Australian summer hotting up, it is important that pet owners understand the risks they are placing their furry friends in, if left in a hot, enclosed space. Dogs are particularly at risk as they are commonly taken out with owners in cars.
Contact an experienced Eastern Suburbs vet for any pet needs including heat stroke.
A car’s temperature, even with its windows wound down or in the shade, can soar to deadly levels in less than 15 minutes, causing heat stroke and brain damage. Dogs don’t have any way to reduce the heat in their body apart from panting, it is very difficult for them to lower their temperature once they have overheated. Symptoms of heat stroke include: excessive thirst, thick saliva, lethargy, heavy panting, restlessness, dark tongue, no appetite, fast heart rate, high temperature, vomiting and blood in the diarrhea. Animals may also show signs of lack of coordination.
An Eastern Suburbs vet clinic veterinarian says: “Temperatures inside cars can actually soar incredibly quickly. An RACQ test published by the RSPCA found that if a car is 32.5 degrees outside, it can reach 50 degrees in less than 5 minutes and 75 degrees in less than 2 hours! What many people don’t realise is that car colour, parking in shade and open windows doesn’t make a lot of difference to the car’s temperature. We strongly urge all pet owners to leave their animals at home in a shady area with lots of fresh water so they can stay cool in the summer heat. I encourage pet owners to take the RSPCA’s “Just Six Minutes” pledge not to leave a dog in a car for any amount of time.”
If a person has any concern that a pet may be suffering from heat stroke, it must be treated as an emergency and the animal should be taken for emergency vet care. It is vital that the animal’s temperature is brought down slowly. Placing animals into cold baths or pouring ice cold water over them can lead to further problems. An experienced Sydney veterinarian will aim to slowly reduce the animal’s temperature by the use of fans and spraying cool water onto the pet’s body.
Click here to contact the best vet in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs area.
Release ID: 149173