It's super hot here in the Midwest! In fact, it's unbearable! We are having a heatwave like I've not seen in a long time. I know that most of my blog buddies are true animal lovers and know how to take care of their pets, I know this by the many photos I see of totally spoiled cats and dogs! But someone might just stumble upon my blog that could be new to having a pet, or maybe even a child who is old enough to read but doesn't know about the dangers of dogs and heat stroke.
So please, everyone watch your pets carefully these hot summer days. Unfortunately I am seeing the bad side of this heat with animals this week. Today I didn't have a doctor in and a woman who was traveling came running into the clinic carrying her limp dog. We called all the vets in the area before we could find one that would take him. Even though we found one, I'm sure it was too late. This dog's temperature was 109 degrees and his tongue was purple. A normal temp for a dog or cat is 101 to 102 degrees. A temp of 106 is usually fatal or can cause enough damage to the organs to be unrepairable. As I watched her drive away I knew the dog would die before they even reached the other vet.
As I'm writing this post, my Mom calls and tells me that she just read in the paper that 3 dogs in her city died in cars yesterday. It hasn't just been in cars. Dogs and cats are dying from being outside in the extreme heat. My heart is breaking!!!
Just a couple of minutes in a car or sitting out in the hot sun is all it takes when the temps are high. Also, don't even take your dogs out if your car has no air conditioning. Dogs are not like people, they don't perspire. The only way they can cool off is by panting although some perspiration can be released through their paws. But it's not enough for their bodies to cool down.
So make sure you dog (or your cat) has a cool spot to rest and has lots of water to drink. I'm sorry if I offended anyone by writing a post such as this but I've worked at the animal clinic for 3 years and it breaks my heart when I have to watch animals suffer and die. It doesn't matter who's pet it is or if I even know them, it's so hard! And the thing that makes it even harder is to know that many of these deaths could have been prevented. I couldn't tell you how many times I've seen this.
Photo Above: Bubba on a recent trip to Michigan. He likes to go with us.
Very informative post! I currently do not have any pets but I think this is a great reminder for people to be aware that animals need care to during extremely warm weather too.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the warning. I don't have any pets right now, but don't like anything to suffer.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your informative post today! We have a dog and my daughter is visiting us and brought her dog too. We, also, are feeling the effects of the heat wave. It certainly has been hot, you're right, we all must remember keep our pets safe and as cool as possible.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder. Our chocolate lab likes to hide out under the porch in the cool dirt/sand but we bring her inside during the day when it's really hot outside.
ReplyDeleteThat is so sad about the dog you saw--that would break my heart!
I'm in the Midwest too, and I can't remember another heat wave this long.
ReplyDeleteThat poor dog you saw. Hopefully he somehow pulled through...
My spoiled babies have dogs doors, and come and go as they please. They are treated like family members, because they are! I can't believe how insensitive some people are towards their dogs, cats, and even their kids! Thanks for doing this post Sher, maybe it will help out some people, and animals.
ReplyDeleteYour pup is so cute, but what a heartbreaking story. Thanks for writing this post! Here in Phoenix, where it normally gets quite hot, it this is fairly publicized, but probably not so much across this mid-west where this isn't so normal.
ReplyDeleteBeen seeing a lot of blog posts about the east and midwest heat. Maybe you all need to spread the love a bit. here in WA state we can barely break 80. I have a pool and I wanna use it! lol
ReplyDeleteThat's so sad. I'm in the southeast and it's too hot to go outside by 9:00 in the morning. Walks in the woods with the dogs will have to wait til it cools off a little.
ReplyDeleteIt breaks my heart too to hear about animals suffering because their owners aren't taking care of them. Your dog is super duper cute, by the way.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very important topic and thank you for blogging about it!
ReplyDeleteI've read similar stories in our local papers latelty too...SO SAD! It just breaks my heart!
Aw, that is SO sad!! :( So heartbreaking that dogs would die because someone was so careless!!!
ReplyDeleteOh so sad about the dog. This is a good post to put out with the way the heat has been. Duke goes out does his business and comes right back in. The house doesn't have AC but at least the basement is cooler than outside.
ReplyDeleteOh it breaks my heart too. I know people want to bring their pets with them everywhere now but sometimes it's best to just leave them at home and not in a car with a cracked window.
ReplyDeleteI was just watching a news story about this! So sad!
ReplyDeleteThanks for this super important reminder.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you are spreading the word about this.
ReplyDeleteSher, my son & daughter-in-law have a tea cup yorkie! This is such an important reminder. Btw, thanks for stopping by my blog!
ReplyDeleteThanks Sher for posting this important information. I just have something to add. It drives me nuts to see people who leave their dogs in cars when they go into the store. I have called the police about this when I came across this very situation. They told me that if two windows are half way down, they consider that to be sufficient (unless the dog looks like it is in distress). So please don't hesitate to call for help if you see an animal that needs help.
ReplyDeleteSher, what a timely reminder. It is indeed hot here too:) Heartbreaking to read these stories about animals dying because of ignorance or negligence.
ReplyDeleteHi Sher: Thanks for this reminder. It is so important especially now with the devistatingly extreme heat.
ReplyDeleteSuch a cute photo of Bubba!
Best regards,
Jenya
It's so so sad. I hear about it happening all the time, people forget they have pets and children in the car or leave their pets tied up outside without enough water or shade!
ReplyDeleteI have a two year old and he has one of those hard kiddie pools in the back porch, and during the spring/summer months he takes a swim and the dogs join him too! It fits him, our 90 lb pit mix and our shepard mix. Quite a sight! I definitely recommend keeping a pool for your pups if they are water friendly. :)