Canines, other pets need protection from heat

The dog days of summer can be deadly for household pets.As a heat wave envelopes the North Shore this weekend, local veterinarians are urging pet owners to use caution when taking their pet outdoors.Veterinarian Douglas DePiero of Northeast Veterinary Hospital in Peabody said when temperatures reach 90 degrees, animals are very much at risk for heat related illness, which could result in death.”Try not to run or exercise them,” he said. “My advice is it’s OK to take most breeds out on hot days, but you have to use caution. You have to keep them in the shade, hose them down and make sure they stay cool. Plenty of water is the most important thing.”A word of caution, DePiero said bulldogs and other breeds with “pushed-in faces” are at highest risk for heat stroke and those breeds should not go outside when the mercury soars.DePiero said cats are better at keeping themselves cool than dogs.”Cats are smarter than dogs,” he said. “They are smart enough to go find a cool place and lay down. But even a cat needs plenty of water if it’s outdoors in the summer.”DePiero urged pet owners not to leave their animal in the car during the summer – not even for a couple of minutes because it could be fatal to the animal. According to the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), on hot and humid days, the temperature in a car parked in direct sunlight could increase by more than 30 degrees per minute. HSUS Outreach Coordinator Rebecca Simmons said when it is 85 degrees outside the temperature inside a vehicle can reach 102 degrees within a matter of minutes even with the windows left partially open and, after 30 minutes, the temperature would reach 120 degrees or more.DePiero said it’s important for pet owners to be able to recognize the symptoms of heat stress in animals. He said symptoms to watch for include heavy panting, glazed eyes, a rapid heartbeat, restlessness, excessive thirst, lethargy, dizziness, lack of coordination, profuse salivation and vomiting.If an animal shows any symptoms of heat stroke, the HSUS recommends gradually lowering the animal’s body temperature and getting the animal to a veterinarian immediately.Until you can get medical help for the animal, Simmons recommends moving the animal into a cool area, applying ice packs or cold towels to the head, neck and chest or immersing the animal in cool water.