With a warm weekend heralding a warm season ahead, Auckland Council’s Animal Management team is calling on owners to take extra care when travelling in cars with their pets this summer.
“The risks for animals - most commonly dogs - in hot vehicles should not be under -estimated. Our canine friends don’t sweat like humans, instead they pant to dissipate heat and cool themselves,” she says.
Councillor Cathy Casey, a registered responsible dog owner and chair of the council’s Community Development and Safety Committee, says she would be “devastated” if a few moments’ carelessness on her part were to cause distress or even death to either of her much-loved family companions.
“My two dogs travel with me in the car on weekends. I make sure I always have water on hand and take Mitzi and Pat with me whenever I leave the vehicle,” she says.
Animals that have only overheated air to breathe inside hot cars can collapse, suffer brain damage and possibly die of heatstroke. Just 15 minutes can be enough for an animal's body temperature to climb from a normal 38.5°C to a dangerous level, causing irreversible organ damage.
Signs of heat exhaustion include restlessness, excessive thirst, heavy panting, lethargy, dark tongue, rapid pulse, fever, vomiting, glazed eyes, dizziness or lack of coordination.
To lower body temperature gradually, give the animal water to drink, place a cold towel or ice pack on the head, neck and chest, or immerse the dog in cool (not cold) water. You should then call a veterinarian.