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Some meteorologists can predict the weather and some cannot, but everyone will agree that this Chicago summer will be like those of years past: hot and humid.
It's common sense that people need to protect themselves and their pets from the sun and the heat, but pet owners can underestimate the level of protection that their pets need. If people overheat, they can sweat. They can apply sunscreen, move into the shade or even inside, wave a fan or wear a hat, or get a drink of water. Dogs and cats can only seek the shade if its in range of their leash or fenced-in area and can only drink if someone remembered to give them water. Pets are truly at the mercy of their owners when dealing with summer weather. (Just imagine a dog in a parked car.) Thankfully, most pet owners are very conscientious of their pets' needs to avoid heatstroke and dehydration.
Dogs and cats have a much less efficient body cooling system than people do. Heat loss through evaporation, which people accomplish by sweating, works extraordinarily well. Dogs and cats only have sweat glands in their noses and the pads of their feet. Instead, they dissipate heat through rapid air exchange: panting. Coupled with the obvious fact that dogs and cats are covered with hair, it will take them much longer to cool down and much less time to heat up in comparison to their owners.
Just like people, some types of pets are more susceptible to overheating and require extra attention.
- Seniors and large breed dogs over five years old
- Overweight pets
- Short nosed breeds like Pugs and Bulldogs
- Pets with sensitive skin or skin conditions
- Pets with dark coats
- Sick pets
- Pets with respiratory and cardiac conditions.
- Ensure your dog has ample fresh water in easy reach. Make sure your outdoor cat has water too.
- Your dog needs access to shade. Remember that shade moves as the sun moves and a large patch of shade at noon might be out of reach or even gone two hours later.
- Do not leave your pets outdoors for long periods of time and be sure to check on them often while they are outside.
- Do not leave your pet in the car, even if the windows are cracked and the car is in the shade. On an 80 degree day, the interior of such a car can reach 105 degrees in eleven minutes and 120 degrees in thirty minutes.
- It would be best to simply leave your pet at home if you are running errands.
- Leave air conditioning on for your pets at home when you leave for work during the summer.
- Don't walk or exercise your pets at midday, instead, walk them in the early morning or evening.
- Remember that your dog does not wear shoes. If the pavement is too hot for you to walk on barefoot, then it's too hot for your dog as well.
If you observe any of the following signs of overheating, heat exhaustion, or heatstroke in your pet, please call your veterinarian or local animal emergency hospital quickly. Begin cooling down your pet with cool water, but most importantly, contact a veterinarian for his or her medical expertise and follow their advice. Your pet may need prompt medical attention.
- Rapid or excessive panting
- Roaring breathing sounds
- Weakness
- Decrease in mental awareness
- Excessive salivation
- Loss of balance
- Collapse
- Death
The body of a dog or cat is approximately 70% water, just like the human body. This water is used everywhere within the body: in blood, lymph, and interstitial fluid; and inside and outside of every cell. In all of these places, many substances abound: hormones, enzymes, electrolytes, zymogens . . . etc. These exist in very exist in very narrow concentration ranges and the body performs many of its actions by making small changes in their concentrations. If fluid loss occurs, i.e. dehydration, then these concentrations fall outside their normal ranges and the body cannot function properly.
Dehydration can lead to muscle cramps, lowered blood pressure, dizziness, and fainting. In more extreme cases, dehydration can lead to organ failure and even death.
To determine your if your pet is dehydrated or not, there is a simple skin test you may try. Gently grasp a small flap of skin along your pet's back and pull it slightly away from the body. When you release the skin, it should snap back into place. This indicates normal and proper hydration. Try this on your arm to see for yourself.
If the skin does not "snap back," then it is possible your pet is dehydrated to some degree. Veterinarians and technicians, through their training and experience, can determine the degree of a pet's dehydration using this test with reasonable accuracy. But pet owners should not worry about the degree of dehydration and simply call their veterinarian if they have any concerns to get the prompt medical attention for their pets.
If you see any signs of dehydration or suspect it, call your veterinarian immediately. Problems from dehydration can progress rapidly and severely. It is not possible for pet owners to safely treat their pets at home because pets usually vomit any water they are given. Most patients need some measure of intravenous fluids as part of their rehabilitation therapy.
- Loss of skin elasticity: the skin does not "snap back" as described below
- Loss of energy without reason
- Weakness
- Sunken eyes
- Personality changes (i.e. "not acting right")
- Sticky or tacky gums
