Vet's Corner Archive
Hot Dogs in the City!
It's the time of year when we find a whole lot of hot dogs in Saskatoon, and I am not talking about the edible kind. I am talking about the furry, fuzzy, canine, man's-best-friend kind.
These unfortunate canine companions are left behind in the car while their owner is running a short errand. However, even the shortest errand can put your dog at risk.
During the spring and summer months people enjoy spending tie with their dogs. This quality time should be spent outside. Leaving your dog in the car while you run an errand, even a very brief one, is the worst idea you can have.
A hot car can kill your dog in minutes.
Leaving the windows of your car slightly open does almost nothing for the inside temperature, so forget it. What's the best way to prevent hot dogs in hot cars? Do not put them in there in the first place. Leave your dog or dogs at home.
Another problem during hot weather is the hot asphalt. How would you feel walking on it barefoot? How do you think your dog feels?
So there are two things to remember: Do not leave your dog in a hot car and do not walk your dog on hot pavement. Easy enough, right? If you should see others doing it, educate them about the risk.
A dog's normal temperature is between 37.5° and 39° Celsius. At 42° the dog can develop heat stroke, which often causes irreversible damage and death.
If you think your dog is suffering from heat stroke, remove her/him from the heat to a cool or shady place and place her/him in cool water. Apply ice to the head and neck. Heat stroke can cause swelling of the throat. Get your dog to a veterinarian immediately!
If you see an animal in distress, call the Saskatoon SPCA at 374-7387. Our Animal Protection Officers will attend to any critical situation.
However, avoiding these situations is the easiest way, so please use common sense. Keep your dogs out of hot cars and educate people around you to the dangers of hot cars.
Have a cool summer!