2018 Issue 4 Jul/Aug - Focus Mid-South Magazine

pet focus
HOT CAR? HOT DOG?
BREAK THE GLASS!
by Joan Allison
IN TENNESSEE,
YOU’RE PROTECTED
FROM PROSECUTION
IF YOU FOLLOW
JUST A FEW
SIMPLE STEPS
When it’s even just 70°
outside, temperatures inside
a car can quickly reach 90°.
In 90° heat, the temperature
can soar to a deadly 120° in
20 minutes. Mid-South temps
are already in the 90s, so
keep your pets safe — leave
them at home. Sadly, some
pet owners choose not to
exercise caution, thinking that
leaving a window cracked will
keep the car cool (it won’t) or
that leaving the AC on in the
running car is a good idea (it’s
not).
When the worst happens,
and you find an animal locked
in a car on a warm day, you
can take action. Laws vary by
state, but if you’re a pet lover,
most likely you are willing
to risk paying for damages
to a car to help an animal in
danger. But first, you should
understand what overheating
looks like and which dogs are
more susceptible to it.
The symptoms of
overheating in pets include
excessive panting or difficulty
breathing, increased heart
and respiratory rate, drooling,
mild weakness, stupor or
even collapse. Symptoms can
also include seizures, bloody
diarrhea and vomit along with
an elevated body temperature
of over 104 degrees (ASPCA).
Animals with flat faces,
like Pugs and Persian cats,
are more susceptible to heat
stroke since they cannot pant
as effectively. These pets,
along with the elderly, the
overweight, and those with
heart or lung diseases, should
be kept cool in air-conditioned
rooms as much as possible
(ASPCA).
Never leave your animals
alone in a parked vehicle. Not
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