Keeping your dog cool in the summer

DOGS DIE IN HOT CARS!

Warm temperatures in summer mean that dogs could potentially die or suffer from heatstroke if left in their owners' cars.

Each year the RSPCA receives around 6,000 calls from members of the public concerned about an animal left in a car on the street, in a supermarket car park or at a public event.

It's not just cars that are the problem - caravans and conservatories can also pose a risk.

Under the Animal Welfare Act pet owners have a legal duty to care for their animals, which includes preventing suffering. Penalties are a fine of up to £20,000 or six months in prison

The dangers

*Dogs can suffer from heatstroke, which can be fatal.
*Even when it is just 22°C (72°F) outside, the temperature in a car can soar to 47°C (117°F) within 60 minutes.
*Open windows or a water bowl make little difference.
*Cloud cover can disappear quickly.
*All dogs will suffer, but some dogs are more prone to heatstroke. For example, dogs that are old, young, short-nosed, long-haired, overweight or heavily muscled are more at risk, as well as dogs with certain diseases.
*Temperatures in air conditioned cars can reach the same temperature as outside within just five minutes of being turned off.


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Signs of heatstroke
The most obvious warning signs of heatstroke are excessive panting and profuse salivation. Other signs include:


*a rapid pulse
*overly red or purple gums
*lack of coordination, reluctance or inability to rise after collapsing, seizures, vomiting or diarrhoea
*coma or death in extreme cases.


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Treating heatstroke

*Heatstroke can be fatal, so speed is essential. Move your pet to a cooler spot and call your veterinary surgeon for advice immediately.
*Douse your dog with cool (not cold) water. Never cool your dog so much that he/she begins to shiver.
*Let your dog drink small amounts of cool water.
*Continue to douse your dog with cool water until his/her breathing starts to settle and then take your dog straight to the vet.


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Top tips to keep dogs cool

*Your dog should always be able to move into a cooler, ventilated environment if he/she is feeling hot.
*Never leave your dog alone in a car. If you want to take your dog with you on a car journey, make sure that your destination is dog-friendly.
*Never leave your dog in a glass conservatory or a caravan. Even if it is cloudy when you leave, the sun may come out later in the day and it could become unbearably hot.
*Dogs can get sunburned too, particularly those with light-coloured noses or light-coloured fur on their ears. Ask your vet for advice on pet-safe sunscreens

Good info Shell

This is great info Shelley.... summer 2008 I had to call the police because of a dog was sitting in a car in 30 +....and the windows closed... I was ready to break the window, but the police came in two minues... and they told me that you are allowed to break windows if there are animals inside in warm weather

end another exampel... on our course in search and rescue summer 2008..we had to push the dogs out searching in 40 +... I said no...would`t do it cause of the heat... during that course..I was the only person who gave the dog a break were we went to a lake so she could bath... I still feel sorry for the other dogs...

how can people treat their dogs that way? they do also have need to get chilled in the heat... and because they have to work in so warm weather..they have a coat..we don`t.. they can`t take off a sweather or pants as we can...

I was pretty angry when I took it up the the boss of the course... and he said that if it is this warm next course they would have breaks during the day to go to the lake

We have the same problem with horses at competitions. It can get very stuffy inside our horsebox & its quite big & airy so the trailers must be even worse.

I would not hesitate to report someone for leaving a dog in a car. A few years back I saw police breaking into cars to rescue dogs on at least two occasions in Burton. Why do people take their dog with them to Tesco?

Everybody has got into a boiling hot car at some point in their life so why dont they realise just how unbearable it is? And dogs have big fluffy coats too! I cant for the life of me understand why people do it.

because some people are stupid!!