I always walk Aaron, my dog, at around 7 p.m. in the summertime because it’s still sunny outside but it’s not too hot.
Sadly, not all people who own a dog are aware of the dangers that high temperatures pose to animals.
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) receives hundreds of calls about animals being left in a hot car or any other hot environment every week.
On their Facebook page, they shared a heart-rending story about a dog that died of heatstroke after being taken for a morning walk. Here’s what they wrote:
“This morning we have been informed that yesterday a local dog died of heat stroke after being taken on a walk at 9am when the temperature was 21 degrees (Celsius).
“The dog was 5 years old and otherwise fit and healthy.
“Despite lots of warnings about the heat we still see dogs being walked to the shops, on the school run, or as soon as owners get in from work. We do understand the crucial nature of walking your dog, however please bear in mind that walking in high temperatures can cause serious and irreversible damage, and in some cases death.”
So, here’s an important message that we’d like to get across to all dog owners: Regardless of their age, dogs aren’t made to handle high temperatures and humidity.
In addition, all dog owners need to be able to recognize the signs of heatstroke. Here are the most common ones:
– High body temperature
– Excessive panting
– Intense thirst
– Tongue which is bright or dark red
– Dry or sticky gums
– Staggering
– Weakness
– Bloody diarrhea and vomiting
– Seizures
If you notice that your dog is showing any of these symptoms, make sure you take it to a cool area, offer it small amounts of water, try to cool it down, and call your veterinarian right away.
Riley Cooper is a professional writer who writes informative and creative articles on topics related to various fields of study. Written with love and enthusiasm, her articles inspire readers to broaden their knowledge of the world, think and get ready to act. If you have a general question or comment please fill out the form and we will get back to you as soon as possible https://curiousmindmagazine.com/contact-us/
