Summer is here and so are the hot long day’s that comes with it. With the hot weather brings hot cars, hot kennels and can turn small spaces into an oven.  This is a reminder that Dogs or any living beings SHOULD NOT  be left in cars or any low ventilated areas for long periods of time. (This includes kennels left outside in the sun especially if the dog is confined i.e. by a tie out chain).  The risk of your dog/pet suffering from heatstroke or death from being left in a car is very high during summer.

On a hot day, the temperature inside your car can reach 39°C in 10 minutes. Even in the shade with the windows down, the temperature can rise to a deadly 49°C in 30 minutes. Your dog’s natural cooling process is ineffective in these conditions.

Dogs overheat much more quickly than humans as they cannot sweat like we can, but instead they pant to dissipate heat and cool their body temperature. This is near impossible to do when the air in their immediate environment is thick and hot, such as in a hot car. Your dog’s normal body temperature is about 38.5°C. Their body can withstand a higher temperature for only a short amount of time before irreversible damage is done.

Even after walks and exercises, I always recommend to let your dog cool down, (i.e. have had some water, and the panting has slowed down) before putting them in the car with the windows down due to their ineffective cooling processes.

Signs and Symptoms of Heatstroke:

A dog in a hot car will soon overheat and suffer from heatstroke. Some symptoms to look out for are:

• Heavy panting
• Profuse salivation
• Extremely red gums and tongue
• Lack of co-ordination
• Vomiting/diarrhoea
• Loss of consciousness

If the dog is not removed from the car and treated quickly, symptoms can worsen to result in brain damage, or even death.

Emergency First Aid:

If a dog is overcome by heat exhaustion, give immediate first aid by cooling with water or other liquids. (Room temperature liquids are preferable as ice cold liquids can bring on shock or hypothermia.)

• Wet the skin thoroughly, not just the coat. Focus on the belly and inside of the legs
• Spray or sponge the dog until their body temperature is lowered
• When the dog is cooling down and responding, gently dry the body
• If the dog is conscious give them small amounts of water
• Seek veterinary attention as soon as possible

• Beware of cooling the dog too much and lowering the body temperature too fast. Ten minutes application of cold should be enough. Take the dog to the veterinarian even if it appears to be fully recovered.

There is a product on the market called Arctic Blast Pet Coolant which I highly recommend all pet owners to have and keep as part of your first aid kit in the car as it helps reduce shock effects and still works rapidly to reduce temperature safely.

If you find a dog locked in a car in distress, please call Animal Management or your local SPCA immediately.