Mexico City – Mexico is going through an intense heat wave that, according to data from the Institute of Atmospheric Sciences and Climate Change of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), is expected to be maintained throughout the month of June and continue, or worsen, in the month of July.
Given this situation, it is also necessary to take concrete actions to protect the health and well-being of dogs and cats. As pet owners we must be vigilant to detect when our fur babies are experiencing heat stroke and, at the same time, have the knowledge necessary to act immediately and put them out of danger.
“The body of each animal has its own methods to regulate heat. For example, people have a larger area to sweat and cool the body, but both dogs and cats only sweat and dissipate heat through the glands on the paw pads, additionally cats reduce heat by licking. Neither of these two things is very helpful, which is why dogs pant as the main way to dissipate heat,” explained Veterinarian Alejandro Sánchez, Technical Manager of the Companion Animal Unit of MSD Animal Health in Mexico.
“This leads to pets being more prone to heat stroke, so guardians need to learn and implement actions to keep their pets in peak condition during the hot season. It is important to highlight that the exposure of pets to high temperatures can not only cause heat stroke, but also stress conditions that can have repercussions for their health later on,” he pointed out.
MSD Animal Health in Mexico shares a quick care guide and recommendations for your pet, which will help you avoid heat stroke.
HEATSTROKE DANGERS FOR PETS
Heatstroke can occur when an animal’s temperature rises to a critical level. Normal body temperatures for dogs and cats range from 100 to 102.5 degrees. When a dog’s temperature rises to 108°, or a cat’s to 106°, they can suffer irreparable organ damage and even die.
WALK SCHEDULES
While the high temperatures continue, we suggest that you take your dog for a walk at times with less sun exposure, that is, before 8:00 AM and after 7:00 PM. Coordinating the outings at these times of the day will prevent the canines from suffering burns on their pads and possible dehydration. We recommend that you walk with your pet in shady and breezy places and, in addition to carrying a spray bottle of fresh water (not cold) to spray intermittently on their face, bring a damp towel to apply on their back and abdomen.
HYDRATION IS KEY
Always, but more so in this hot season, keeping your dog or cat hydrated is essential to their good health. Make sure to have clean and fresh water available, which you should change frequently and, if necessary, add a couple of ice cubes to keep it cool. Keep them in shady areas with good ventilation. Don’t leave them locked up at home.
AUTOS
Never, ever, leave your pets unattended in a car, where temperature can rise so fast that they could die in less than an hour. If you take a trip with your pet, be sure to provide it with water, and schedule stops to rest and walk in a cool area.
HAIR CARE
It is not recommended to shave your pet’s coat. Contrary to what one might think, pet hair protects them from receiving direct sunlight on the skin, in addition to the fact that long hair traps air, a situation that will help dissipate heat. The only recommendation is to keep them brushed to remove excess dead hair.
KNOW THE SIGNS
Panting and heavy breathing are ways animals regulate body temperature. If you detect this behavior in your dog or cat, take it to a cool place and apply a damp towel to its belly and back so that it gradually recovers its normal temperature. If the heat stroke persists, we recommend that you take it immediately to a veterinarian, who will determine which treatment is needed. Another sign that may indicate heat stroke in your pet is excessive salivation, while the tongue and mucous membranes can turn dark red, which can degrade into a bluish color due to deficient oxygenation of the blood. In that case, you should take your pet to the Vet immediately.
DON’T GET THEM TOO WET!
If your dog or cat is experiencing heat stroke, don’t douse them with cold water! This could put them into thermal shock and cause severe damage, such as changes in blood pressure, fainting, dizziness and even cardiac arrest. If your dog likes baths, do it with warm water.
VISIT A VETERINARY DOCTOR
If your pet doesn’t show signs of recovery, it will be necessary for you to take it to a Vet so that the expert can determine the state of health of your dog or cat and if it requires any additional treatment. In this hot season, high temperatures also cause a greater proliferation of parasites such as fleas and ticks. For this reason, it is crucial to apply external treatments that protect them for periods of up to 12 weeks.