RSPCA: Keep your pets cool as warm weather continues

Wednesday, 27 April 2011 12:00 AM

The RSPCA is urging pet owners to make sure their four-legged friends do not frazzle in the heat after seeing a huge rise in the numbers of calls about animals left in hot environments.

Between 1 and 26 April, the RSPCA received calls about 968 dogs and 281 other animals trapped in either hot cars, buildings or even gardens without shade. This compared to 610 dogs and 81 other animals in 2010. With the record temperatures over the Easter weekend and forecasts of more sunny weather to come, the charity is reminding dog owners not to leave their pets in cars, conservatories or caravans while they enjoy the sunshine.

All too often, owners make the mistake of thinking that it is sufficient to leave a bowl of water or a window open for their pet but this is not enough to protect your pet from heatstroke, which can have fatal consequences. The RSPCA's message is: 'Dogs die in hot cars. Don't leave your dog alone in a car.' As an example, the temperature inside a vehicle can soar to 47 degrees within 60 minutes when the outside temperature is 22 degrees. Even in lower temperatures, if it is sunny or slightly warm outside, a vehicle can become hot very quickly.

Other dangers are:

.Cloud cover can disappear quickly.
. All dogs will suffer, but some dogs are more prone to heatstroke. For example, dogs that are old, young, short nosed, long-haired, overweight or heavily muscled are more at risk, as well as dogs with certain diseases.
. Temperatures in air conditioned cars can reach the same temperature as outside within just five minutes of the air conditioning being turned off.

The most obvious sign of heat stroke in dogs is excessive panting and profuse salivation. Other signs include:

. Overly red or purple gums
. A rapid pulse
. Lack of co-ordination, reluctance or inability to rise after collapsing, seizures, vomiting or diarrhoea
. Coma or death in extreme instance

Owners who fear their dog may be suffering from heat stroke should act with great urgency. Pets should be moved to a cooler spot straight away before ringing your vet for advice immediately.

. Douse your dog with cool (not cold) water. You could put your dog in a shower and run cool water over him/her, spray your dog with cool water and place him/her in the breeze of a fan. Never cool your dog so much that he/she begins to shiver

. Let your dog drink small amounts of cool water

. Continue to douse your dog with cool water until his/her breathing starts to settle and then take him/her straight to the veterinary surgery

-ends-

RSPCA, Wilberforce Way, Southwater, Horsham, West Sussex RH13 9RS
Press office direct lines: 0300 123 0244/0288 Fax: 0303 123 0099
Duty press officer (evenings and weekends) Tel 08448 222888 and ask for pager number 828825

Email: press@rspca.org.uk Website: www.rspca.org.uk

We're supporting Rabbit Awareness Week: May 23-29. This years hot topic is rabbit behaviour. Why not make sure your rabbits are happy bunnies and take them along to your local vet for a FREE health check. www.rabbitawarenessweek.co.uk.

Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals registered charity no: 219099 Registered office: RSPCA, Wilberforce Way, Southwater, Horsham, West Sussex, RH13 9RS

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