Heat + Cars + Dogs = DEAD DOGS
Sunday, June 21st, 2009Hot Cars equal Dead Dogs
DON’T FORGET: Dogs don’t sweat like you do. Keep cool water for your pet and check their shade.
Every summer dogs left in hot cars suffer brain damage and die.
If you see an animal in a parked car during the summer, alert the management of the shopping mall or store. If the owner does not return promptly, call local animal control or police immediately (they will respond to a 911 call, too).
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DON’T LEAVE PETS IN PARKED CARS. ON A 78 DEGREE DAY, A CAR PARKED IN THE SUN CAN REACH 160 DEGREES IN MINUTES. |
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Look for signs of heat stress - heavy panting, glazed eyes, a rapid pulse, unsteadiness, staggering, vomiting, or a deep red or purple tongue. If the pet becomes overheated, the body temperature must be lowered immediately by moving him to the shade and apply cool (not cold) water to his body to gradually lower his temperature, apply ice packs to the head, neck and chest only, let him drink small amounts of water, and take him to a veterinarian directly - it could save his life.
Don’t make a tragic mistake: Please don’t leave your pet in a parked car on a warm day. It’s cruel and is punishable by law. On warm days, your pet is safer at home!
Even opening windows or parking in the shade won’t prevent a dog from getting overheated. The heat is especially hard on dogs because they can’t perspire and can only cool themselves by painting and by sweating through the pads of their feet. With only hot air to breath, dogs and other animals can suffer irreparable brain damage and die from heatstroke.