Nobody likes a record heat wave. Not even the summer fans who like to spend hours and hours on the beach, lying under the umbrella and with the murmur of the waves in the background. When we talk about pets, however, the heatwave can become a death trap. So much so that the veterinary colleges and even the government They remind us that we must be responsible when taking care of our animals in summer. Failure to do so can not only end in an avoidable tragedy, it also leads to consequences legal.
That’s why it’s good to review some guidelines.
Veterinarians on call. Few groups know the needs of animals better than veterinarians. That is why it is significant that, with the summer having just begun, the Spanish referees have not taken long to publish posts and guides on the same topic: how to care for pets during the dog days.
In recent weeks, professionals from Barcelona, Lion, Madrid either Alicanteamong other regions, in addition to veterinarians on a private basis and the bosses from pet food manufacturers, ANFAAC.
Even the Ministry of Social Rights launched a guide a couple of years ago “to protect pets from heat waves.” Just like him College of Veterinarians of Madrid (Covelma). The idea is very simple: make people aware that their tolerance to heat and that of their pets does not have to be the same and there are tragedies, such as heat stroke, burns or dehydration that are easily avoidable. It often comes with paying a little attention.
Are they so common? There are not many studies on the subject, but we do have some data that helps us understand the insistence of veterinary colleges and authorities. There are those who estimate, for example, that episodes of heat stroke in pets they shoot up 35% during the months of July and August, although some sources say that in the clinics they see up to five times more cases of this type when the mercury shoots.
As a reference, the British Veterinary Association (BVA) estimates that during the dog days of 2022 51% of the country’s veterinarians treated animals requiring treatment for heat-related illnesses.
A percentage to reflect on. These are worrying data if we take into account that only survivors 50% of dogs that suffer from heat stroke, a critical situation during which their body overheats and even loses the ability to self-regulate temperature. What’s more, it only takes a few minutes (just 15) in that situation for the consequences to be fatal.
As Colvema recalls, the normal body temperature of a dog is around 38.5º and at 43º the internal organs begin to fail. It is not that much of a difference: there can only be a 6º difference between the interior of a white car and a black car.
What needs to be taken into account? If we want to protect our pets, it is important to keep several key pieces of information in mind. From the outset, as I remembered recently the Italian veterinarian Giuiliano Pellegrini in The Worldthat “dogs and cats have a limited ability to dissipate body heat.” Hence they are “particularly vulnerable” during episodes of extreme heat.
When temperatures rise, your cardiovascular system is forced to work harder and if our pet suffers from heart pathologies, they may worsen. Heat also does not agree well with respiratory or kidney ailments, something that we must take into account with older, obese or brachycephalic.
In general, to avoid heat stroke, veterinarians recommend four very simple guidelines: avoid the hottest hours, walk in shady areas, always carry water and be attentive to the animal’s behavior. If you are breathing hard, feeling down, and have your tongue sticking out, it is better to pay attention. Vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, a change in the color of the tongue and choking breathing are reasons for alarm, so you should go to a veterinary clinic.
The decalogue of heat. To avoid scares, a few years ago the Ministry of Social Rights published a decalogue with very simple tips. For example, it warns of the risk of leaving animals locked in the car or approaching walks with our dogs more carefully, thinking for example where we will go, what time we will do it, how far we will travel and how to cool down.
It is not a minor issue. For example, you may be wearing sneakers or sandals, but (depending on the time of day) your pet may end up walking on heated asphalt. more than 60º and end up with injuries to the pads.
Below are the 10 pieces of advice from the Government:
- Don’t leave your pet in the car. In summer, temperatures soar and leaving your pet alone, inside a vehicle, can end very badly. “A closed car can reach very high temperatures in a few minutes that are potentially fatal,” warns the ministry.
- The walks, in the fresh air. Try to avoid the hottest hours and make the longest (and most exhausting) walks the first and last thing in the day. For a large, elderly or brachycephalic dog, temperatures exceeding 30º can be dangerous. From 32º, the risk increases for all dogs, so it is better that they do not do exercises that exhaust them.
- You wear shoes, he doesn’t. Keep it in mind. When walking next to you, your dog passes over manhole covers, paved streets, concrete esplanades, tiles… surfaces that get hot in summer. Veterinarians remember that during critical hours the asphalt can exceed 60ºC.
- Hydrate yourself, hydrate him. Authorities and doctors insist that in summer we must hydrate. The same thing happens with your furry companion. In summer you have to change their water more frequently and if you take them out for a walk it is advisable to take a bottle and a water bowl with you.
- Racing for winter. Physical exercise is fine, but during the heat of the heat it is best to avoid excessive exertion. If you want to play ball with your furry friend, run with him or take him out while you ride a bike, remember that dogs are usually more sensitive to heat than humans.
- hair protects. It may sound counterintuitive, but as the Ministry of Agenda 2030 reminds us, “in general, hair protects and thermally insulates animals, so it is not always advisable to cut it” in summer. “In the case of dogs, it is best to consult a trusted canine hygiene professional about what is best for their coat type.”
- Sunscreen? You protect yourself from the sun… What about your dog? The Government’s advice is that you consult your veterinarian “about the need to apply sun protection to dogs and cats exposed to the sun, especially if they are light colored. They will advise you on the most suitable product.”
- The shadow, that ally. If you decide to go to a terrace to cool off, fantastic; But if your pet accompanies you, look for shady spaces. That maxim applies if you are at home. Ideally, you should offer the animal spaces with tolerable temperatures and cool areas.
- Be careful with muzzles. When a dog pants he is thermoregulating. It is important information if your pet goes outside with a muzzle. You don’t have to abandon it, but it must be a basket so that it can open its mouth.
- No you play it. As Colvema reminds us, a high percentage of heat stroke episodes end in the worst possible way, so the advice is clear: if you think your dog has suffered one, go to the vet. At the first symptoms, take him to a cool place and offer him warm water.
Question of responsibility… and laws. Beyond responsibility and common sense, the truth is that legislation also requires us to take special care with our pets in summer. The Animal Welfare Law (7/2023) clarifies, for example, in its article 24.d that they cannot be left alone inside closed vehicles and “exposed to dangerous thermal conditions.”
In section 60.2, the law also states that when pets must be transported and they are going to be left in vehicles, the pertinent measures must be “adopted so that the ventilation and temperature are adequate.” Breaking the law, in addition to being morally reprehensible, can lead to sanctions.
Images | Frames For Your Heart (Unsplash), COLVEMA and Akanda Kilicarslan (Unsplash)
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