People are being reminded to be cautious of leaving pets in vehicles on hot summer days.
“The main reason is, especially when it gets really hot, the escalation of the heat and the humidity inside the car can be a matter of a minute or less where it gets to a dangerous level,” said Dr. Paul Owen, veterinarian at Pioneer Veterinary Services in Sundre.
“It's just so rapid, you go into the convenience store for a coke and it can be that fast, when it's really hot.”
When it's 15 C or less, it's not much of an issue, he said.
“Basically, dogs and cats don't sweat very well or at all, and they don't rely on that to cool off. So what they do rely on is panting, to cool themselves off,” he said.
“When they pant with their hot breath rapidly, basically it's the fully saturated with water hot breath that cools them off. When you're locked in a vehicle, it gets hot and it gets very humid, so there is no way for their body to cool down, so they heatstroke.
“Their hearts work in overtime to try and correct the problem, but it's a pretty stressful experience for them.”
Cats and dogs are the animals most typically left in vehicles, he said.
Fortunately, there aren't many animals admitted at the clinic as a result of being left in a vehicle, he said.
“When it gets hot it becomes more of an issue, but the general knowledge is pretty good that it's a hazard,” he said.
People are advised to leave their pets at home on hot days, make other arrangements, leave the air conditioning on in the vehicle, or not leave pets in vehicles at all, he said.
“If it's really screaming hot, don't even tempt fate, don't even put your animal in the vehicle. Leave them at home or in the care of someone else.”
