Amanzimtoti SPCA warns pet owners about heatstroke
The temperature inside a parked car can increase rapidly and will be much higher than outside of the vehicle.
THE Amanzimtoti SPCA warns the community that leaving dogs in hot cars poses severe risks, leading to heatstroke, dehydration and even death.
This warning comes after an incident where an owner left their dog inside the car while they went into one of the local shopping centres. An inspector from the SPCA promptly responded to the panting dog, and once the owner was called, he warned and educated her on the dangers.
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The SPCA’s Michelle Hannan said that when a dog is very hot, panting is not enough to stop them from overheating.
“In warm weather, the temperature inside a parked car can climb rapidly and will be much higher than outside of the vehicle. Dogs left alone in a car on a hot day can quickly become dehydrated, develop heatstroke or even die,” she said.
To be on the safe side, never leave your dog (or any animal) unattended in a car. Hannan said that this way, you will protect them from the following risks as outlined by the RSPCA Pet Insurance website:
• Heatstroke is the worst-case scenario. This occurs when an animal’s inner body temperature rises above the normal range, leading to tissue damage and organ failure. It takes as little as six minutes for a dog to die in a hot car. Unlike humans, dogs have very few sweat glands, so these are not effective at cooling them down.
Instead, they need to rely on panting, which produces moist air, but if the air around them is too hot, they are unable to get their body temperature back to normal.
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It is also important to know that no measures you take can prevent heatstroke if your dog is left in a car – leaving the windows down, parking in a cool spot in the shade, tinting glass windows or leaving water in the car only offer a false sense of security.
• Dehydration is another risk of dogs being left in cars. This occurs when an animal is unable to replace lost body fluids (water and electrolytes) that are essential for healthy functioning. Dehydration can quickly become a medical emergency and contribute to heatstroke.
• Brain damage is another outcome for some dogs who manage to survive heatstroke, usually after intensive veterinary treatment. This condition is life-changing for both the dog and their human family.
Hannan said people must also be aware of what they should do when they find an animal in a car.
“If it’s by a shopping mall or centre, they can go to the information desk and make an announcement over the intercom for the owner to get back to the vehicle. They can also call the local SPCA who can get the police involved so that they can break the window,” she said.
On the topic of heat risks, Hannan added that dogs should not be walked in hot weather conditions.
“Always check the temperature by placing the back of your hand on the surface [they will walk on] and see if you can hold it there for five seconds. If not, then it’s too hot for your pet’s paws which can get burnt,” she said.
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