By Kevin Castle
Published June 22nd, 2010
We?re the lucky ones. Our furry friends can?t sweat during the summer to help with the heat. Panting and small sweats through their paw pads are the only relief.
United Animal Nations, based in Sacramento, Calif., is getting the word out about keeping pets out of hot circumstances with their campaign ?My Dog Is Cool.?
?We think it?s great that a lot of people want their pets to be a huge part of their lives, but in the summertime, they really have to think about the trip and what it can do to their dog or pet,? said UAN Communications Director Alexis Raymond.
?Those small trips to the store or other quick stops can be a deadly time for a pet. We start talking about major organs shutting down if the dog or pet is left in a vehicle for several minutes. Leaving the windows cracked really doesn?t help.?
Dogs cannot expel heat from their bodies as quickly as their human owners, and they heat up twice as quickly as a human, causing their temperatures to go up even more when humidity and sunshine are bearing down on them.
?They can only withstand that heat for a short time. After that, serious health problems occur,? said Raymond.
?Unless you know you are going to a business like PetSmart or other pet-friendly establishment, leave your dog or pet at home in the confines of the air conditioning. Not every animal is going to enjoy the activities that their human owners are doing.
?If they are just going to be left in the car or having to be walked or hauled around without any kind of relief from the elements, it is not a pleasant trip for the animal. It can lead to things like nerve damage, heart, liver or even brain damage ? things that are irreversible.?
The panting that the animals do in the summer sun actually generates heat inside their bodies because of the muscle activity, a UAN veterinary report shows.
Symptoms of a dog or animal having a heatstroke include:
? Intense, rapid panting.
? Wide eyes.
? Salivating.
? Staggering.
? Weakness.
? Pale and dry gums.
Dogs need to be taken to an animal hospital or veterinarian if these traits are present. If you are not near a specialist, get the dog near a cold water hose, making sure the skin gets contact with the water ? not just skimming off of the coat.
If your trip has to include your dog, make sure your air conditioner is running sufficiently and your dog is able to travel long distances without being hyper or moving around inside the vehicle.
More hints and tips are available at www.mydogiscool.com.
http://timesnews.net/article.php?id=9024105
Bookmarks