The air-conditioners have been working overtime lately and the nights are rarely giving us relief from this heat. While most of us are chilling inside with a cool drink, our pets may be suffering with the hot days and we just do not comprehend how much stress they are under.
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Heatstroke can affect any animal and it can happen very quickly. When an animal has heatstroke, it is an emergency and you need to get your pet to the veterinarian immediately!
So what does heatstroke look like in our animals? Some things to look out for are; excessive or noisy panting, open mouth breathing, drooling or vomiting, lethargy and collapse. Some animals are more susceptible to heatstroke like rabbits and Brachycephalic breeds like Pugs, Bulldogs or Persian cats.
Should you notice any of these signs, you can help to cool your pet by first getting them into a cooler area or in front of a fan with a wet towel over their abdomen. You can also place wet towels both on them and on those hairless parts of the body like the groin or the pads of the feet (you don’t want to cool them too quickly though as this can send them into shock). Although these home treatments will help to begin the cooling process, you will still need to seek veterinary treatment as they can die from heat stroke.
So what can you do to avoid heat stroke in your pets? Make sure they have plenty of shade and water available and if possible, bring them indoors. Putting some ice in their water bowls or making frozen treats from tin food, diluted stock or milk and even frozen fruits. Never leave your pet unattended in the car and do not exercise them on hot days. Take your dog for a walk in the morning or the very late evening when it is cooler, never in the middle of the day or forgo the walk for a day or two.
For more information or tips on reducing the risks of heatstroke visit www.leetonvet.com.au or call us on 02 6953 3111 to speak to one of our qualified team at the Leeton Veterinary Hospital.