Now that summer is finally here, there are a few things we need to be mindful of. People need to make sure they stay hydrated, use enough sunscreen, and keep the little ones in the shade when necessary.
Even for our faithful four-legged friends, summer can be a challenging time. The Royal Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) in the UK has issued a warning to all dog owners after a perfectly healthy dog tragically died during a walk.
“We understand how important it is to walk your dog, however, please be aware that walking in high temperatures can cause severe and irreversible damage, and in some cases even death,” the organization said in a statement, according to Metro.
The dog in question died from heatstroke, only five years old. He was reportedly in good health and had led a healthy life. However, he died after the high temperatures in the UK persisted for five consecutive days.
The RSPCA receives hundreds of calls from concerned pet owners. Their advice is to avoid walking your dog during the hottest part of the day, but rather in the early morning or late evening.
Dogs can succumb to heatstroke when their body temperature reaches dangerously high levels. Since they can’t cool down by sweating like humans can, this can happen when they are left in hot cars, so it’s essential to keep them cool in a shady spot.
Warning signs:
- Difficulty breathing
- Excessive drooling
- Fatigue
- Sticky or dry gums
- Hyperventilation
- Uncoordinated movements
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Seizures
What to do
If you suspect your dog is suffering from heatstroke, it’s best to find shade and use a wet towel to cool their body while also calling a veterinarian. It’s important that the water is not ice-cold – cool is enough to safely lower their body temperature. Keep rubbing them with a wet towel until their breathing returns to normal.
They don’t want this to happen to any other dog.
Posted by Animal Channel on Wednesday, July 4, 2018
It should go without saying that this is important information that everyone should know. Share it with your friends on Facebook.
– The dog in the photo is not related to the dog in the article.
