Health Warning: Prevent Heat Stroke in Pets

Pets and parents alike look forward to spending the long, sunny days of summer outdoors, but being overeager in hot weather can spell danger, warn ASPCA experts. 

“Even the healthiest pets can suffer from dehydration, heat stroke and sunburn if overexposed to the heat,” says Dr. Lila Miller, ASPCA Vice President of Veterinary Outreach, “and heat stroke can be fatal if not treated promptly.”

Watch out for the following symptoms of overheating in pets: excessive panting or difficulty breathing, drooling, mild weakness, stupor and even collapse. Pets can also suffer from seizures, bloody diarrhea and vomiting, along with an elevated body temperature of over 104 degrees.

Take these simple precautions, provided by ASPCA experts, to help prevent your pet from overheating. And if you suspect your pet is suffering from heat stroke, get help from your veterinarian immediately.

• Avoid dehydration by always having fresh, clean water available and lots of shady places where pets can cool off. When the weather’s extremely hot, keep your pets indoors.
  
  
• Give your dog a light summer haircut to help prevent overheating. Shave the hair to a one-inch length, but never down to the skin, as fur offers protection from the sun. Brushing your cat more often than usual can also help prevent problems caused by excessive heat.
  
  
• When using sunscreen or insect repellent, be sure the product is labeled specifically for use on animals.
  
  
• Never leave an animal alone in a parked vehicle. “On a hot day, a parked car can become a furnace in no time—even with the windows open—which could lead to fatal heat stroke,” says Dr. Louise Murray, Director of Medicine at ASPCA Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital.

Please visit ASPCA.org for our complete list of hot weather safety tips!

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Submitted by transamgirl at: July 13, 2009
Has Yoshi been neutered? Is he up-to-date with his shots? Are his cries those of pain or are they mating calls(if he is not neutered)? Has he seen a vet for a check-up? It is strange that after living with you for 2 years, he chooses to live in a crawl space and not respond to your calls. He could have a medical issue that could be the cause and you may have to dedicate some time to trapping him yourself. You can try putting his food or some treats and water into a pet-carrier or a cage and watching it. Or maybe some catnip in a cage would lure him into it. I hope this is helpful.

Submitted by Adanary at: July 3, 2009
After I read this I got very worry and cried because my cat got out of my house and went in the crawl space. It is hot and he only comes out at night and it is difficult to catch him. My cat, Yoshi, was a stray and I took him when he was 2 months old. He has been with me for two years and has never been outside since I got him. Yoshi has never been a cuddle cat and only listened and showed affection when he wanted to. I hear him under in the crawl space crying sometimes. I called the humane society and animal control several times and they don't want to help me. They keep denying their trapping services to me. They think I hurt my cat because Yoshi doesn't come out when I call him. But he has never came when I called him. He was free to roam my house to play and be himself. I love my pet so much. I am so desperate because no one wants to help me. I know he is hungry, thirsty and scared. He hears me in my room from the crawl space and cries. What should I do?

 

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