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Heat, car, and dog = risky business
Published on May 26th 2021
Yay! The warm, sunny days finally seem to be back, and with them, a lot of activities you'll want to share with your canine friend. As a good guardian, you are cautious, informed, and prepared... until a last-minute errand comes up and Fido is left alone in the car in the convenience store parking lot.
Woof, it's hot in here!
Did you know that the temperature inside a vehicle parked in the sun will rise about 20⁰C every 10 minutes? Which means that a dog locked in a car parked in the sun at an outside temperature of 20⁰C can feel the effects in less than 10 minutes, and even risk his life after only 20 minutes?
What does heatstroke in a pooch look like?
- Excessive panting
- Heavy salivation, even foaming
- Agitation
- Poor coordination or shaky gait
- Loss of consciousness
- Vomiting
- Bluish mucous membranes
- Swollen tongue
- Nosebleed
If you suspect your dog may be suffering from heatstroke, find a shady spot, wrap him in a cool (not icy!) towel or wet cloth to help bring his body temperature down, and contact your veterinarian immediately.
If you see a distressed dog left in a car in hot weather, report the incident to the authorities.
The moral of the story: never leave your dog alone in the car, even if it's only for a few minutes, even if the weather is mild, and especially during our beautiful summer months.
Let's all enjoy the summer safely!
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