Leaving a dog in a hot car is dangerous and often deadly.
People leave their dogs in the car while they shop or run errands, but doing so when the weather is warm can literally be a death sentence for your pet.
1. Dogs are especially vulnerable to heat-related illness because they can only cool off by panting and through the pads in their feet.
2. Even on seemingly mild days, an enclosed car can be deadly. In a Stanford University study, when it was 72 degrees outside, a car’s internal temperature climbed to 116 degrees within one hour.
3. Enclosed cars heat up quickly. In a study by San Francisco State University, when it was 80 degrees outside, the temperature inside a car rose to 99 degrees in 10 minutes and 109 degrees in 20 minutes.
4. A dog’s normal body temperature is between 101 to 102.5 degrees; a dog can only withstand a high body temperature for a short time before suffering nerve damage, heart problems, liver damage, brain damage or even death.
5. Studies show that cracking the windows has little effect on a car’s internal temperature.
What happens to dogs left in hot cars?
Exposure to excessive heat causes the body’s cells to stop working properly and release dangerous chemicals, which can lead to nerve damage, heart problems, liver damage, brain damage and even death. Essentially, all of the dog’s organ systems shut down at once.
Signs a dog is suffering from a heat-related illness include:
Excessive panting
Excessive drooling
Increased heart rate
Trouble breathing
Disorientation
Collapse or loss of consciousness
Seizure
Respiratory arrest
You can Help and need too!
If you see a dog in a car that looks distressed (see above signs of heat-related illness), call the police, the local animal control agency or 911 right away. Leave your name and phone number with the person who takes the call in case the responding officers need more information. Go inside the nearest business(es) and ask the manager to make an announcement.
We love your input or comments so let us know below
Information Source: Dog House, Redrover.org Video: PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals)
You Might Like This:
