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By BRUCE KAPLAN, D.V.M.
© St. Petersburg Times, published July 14, 2001
Question: Before we moved to Florida we did not worry so much about the heat for our dog except during the three or four months of summer. We live in air conditioning but worry about what would happen if the air conditioner went out for a long period of time.
Answer: If your air conditioner stopped operating, you would be wise to assure proper ventilation for you and your pet by using fans temporarily. In addition, provide your dog with plenty of fresh water and don't allow it to overexercise, especially outdoors in the hot sun.
High humidity also enhances the possibility of heatstroke.
Avoid feeding your animal excessive quantities of food. This practice can help prevent heatstroke year round since obesity tends to predispose dogs to heat-related illness. Excess fat makes it difficult to eliminate body heat.
Dogs that live outside should be fed in the early morning and after the sun goes down. Dogs with fever-producing illnesses or kidney, heart and lung disorders are more prone to this problem.
Routine physical examinations and senior wellness evaluations by your veterinarian will help assure that these conditions are either prevented or properly controlled.
Bulldogs, boxers, Boston terriers and other brachycephalic breeds are particularly susceptible to heat maladies. Their anatomy enhances interference with free panting and breathing, which help cool the body.
Breeds with short hair have fewer problems than longhaired dogs.
All pets left unattended inside cars can overheat rapidly with potentially disastrous results. The Pinellas County County leash law says, "No vehicle owner, passenger or operator shall place or confine an animal or allow it to beplaced or confined or to remain in an unattended vehicle without sufficient ventilation or under conditions or for such a period of time as may reasonably be expected to endanger the health or well-being of such animal due to heat, lack of water or such other circumstances as may be expected to cause suffering, disability or death."
According to Dr. E. Welch Agnew Jr., assistant director of veterinary services, Pinellas County Animal Services, Largo, "Pinellas County Animal Control officers are currently issuing fines of $136 for this offense."
Heatstroke or sunstroke begins usually with excessive panting, and animals will stare blindly into space. Their body temperatures, normally 101 to 102 degrees, can rise as high as 110 degrees.
Breathing difficulties develop as the condition progresses. Death will occur if prompt treatment is not administered.
Pets outside in the sun should be brought into the shade. Immediately cool the animal by spraying with cold water and apply ice packs to the head and neck for first aid.
Since dangerous physiological changes may occur, you should promptly take the animal to your veterinarian for further evaluation and treatment. Close observation is essential for 12 to 24 hours because relapses can occur. -- Richard D. Wilkes, D.V.M., Bay Moorings Animal Hospital, St. Petersburg
Dr. Bruce Kaplan is a veterinarian editor/writer. Please send questions to Ask a Veterinarian, Pinellas Animal Foundation, P.O. Box 47771, St. Petersburg, FL 33743-7771. Because of the volume of mail, personal replies are not possible. Questions of general interest will be answered in the column.