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One of the main tips recently issued is to never leave a dog in a parked car during the warmer months – even if it is parked in the shade.
Temperatures inside a closed car quickly can reach 120 degrees or higher; such temperatures can cause serious organ damage and even death to dogs, according to the American Red Cross.
If you see an animal left in a hot car, immediately notify management of the business. If you cannot determine what store the owner is visiting or no one takes care of the situation, immediately call police or animal control officials.
Some dogs can recover from heat stroke, but only if the situation is quickly remedied and the animal’s temperature has not exceeded 104 degrees.
Pet owners can cool the overheated animal with cold water and also by rubbing Isopropyl alcohol on the dog’s foot pads. However, it is possible to cool the body temperature too much – so stop the cooling process once the dog’s temperature is 103 degrees or slightly lower.
Dogs who have experienced heat stroke still need prompt veterinary attention even if they seem OK; it can take hours, or even days, for the more severe and life-threatening symptoms of heat stroke to show up.
For more information about protecting pets from heat and other potential summer dangers, visit the American Red Cross website.
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