Beat the Heat: Summertime Tips from the Placerville SPCA
May 25, 2016 09:43AM ● By Kourtney Jason
As temperatures reach triple digits, humans aren’t the only ones looking for ways to escape the heat. Just like us, pets can experience heat exhaustion and even get sunburned—“especially on their ears and noses,” explains Dr. Barbara Laderman Jones, DVM, director of veterinary services at Placer SPCA. “Dogs and cats with light-colored fur (white) are more susceptible to skin cancer.” Specific breeds are also at higher risk in the hottest months. “Older, obese or short-nosed dogs—pugs, bulldogs, Boston terriers, pekingese, boxers, shih tzus and French bulldogs—are less tolerant of heat; [along with] older dogs, puppies and dogs with health issues...of course, you should keep a close eye on your dog in the heat, no matter what her breed, age or state of health is,” Dr. Laderman Jones says, by following the five tips below.
1 / Adjust the times of daily walks
“Walk your dog during the cooler hours of the day—i.e., early morning and evening,” Dr. Laderman Jones says. “If exercising in the heat, be mindful that your dog can’t easily tell you when he/she has had enough. Shorten walks. And in general, jogging with your pet is a poor idea in high heat and especially humidity.”
2 / Make proper travel arrangements
“The inside of a car, even on a mild 70 degree day, can reach upwards of 90-100 degrees in less than 30 minutes,” explains Dr. Brad Cahoon, DVM, CVA, owner of Veterinary Healing Centers. “On [a] 100-plus degree day, the inside of a car can reach over 130 degrees very rapidly. Pets should never, under any circumstances or for any amount of time, be left inside a parked car. If you have to travel with them, they should always be in air conditioning or brought out of the car with you. If you’re flying with pets, either bring them into the cabin with you if allowed, or make sure your airline takes precautions to control the temperature of the cargo area they’ll be held in, as well as any areas their crates will be stored during layovers and flight changes. Make sure they’ll have access to water at all times and be checked on during transport.”
3 / Keep cool with shade and water
For both indoor and outdoor pets, it’s always a good idea to have fresh water and shaded areas available at all times, says Jason Davis, “The Dog Guy,” co-owner of Folsom Dog Resort and Training Center. Even when you’re not home, keeping the house cool is also beneficial for your pets.
4 / Know the signs of heat exhaustion
“Excessive panting or drooling, increased heart or respiratory rate, weakness, disorientation and collapse are all signs of heat stroke in pets,” Dr. Cahoon says. “Stop what you’re doing immediately and seek veterinary care if any of these are noted. Try putting cool water on the pads of their feet and in their groin/armpit areas, but caution must be taken not to cool them down too quickly. Shock and organ damage can occur from them overheating, as well as from too rapidly cooling them off.”
5 / Beware of mosquitoes
“With warm weather come mosquitoes, which transmit deadly heartworm infections to dogs,” Dr. Cahoon says. “Take them to your vet for heartworm testing annually, and keep them on heartworm preventive care year-round. Fleas and ticks are also common this time of year, so using quality flea and tick prevention is very important. Make sure if you take your pet on hikes or around water that you’re keeping them safe from the elements and wildlife. Being careful in the heat means a summer of fun for you and your pet!”