As the temperatures across the state begin to break into the triple digits, animals are also feeling the heat. Veterinarian Dr. Dan Thompson says number of animals suffering from heat stroke have come through his door.
“You really have to be careful, because this year there has been no acclimation. We’ve gone from cool weather with almost springtime, with a lot of wind to excessive heat all at once. Our animals are not acclimated to this change. So many of our dogs have excessive hair and fur on them right that they haven’t had a chance to shed.”
Dr. Thompson says that if you must leave your pets outside that you should run sprinklers, set out a children’s wading pool, and make sure there is a place your animals can find shade…but he says owners should still keep an eye out for dehydration.
“The classic systems of heat stress and overheating are excessive panting, salvation, drooling, immobility, inability to get up and walk around, weakness and sometimes vomiting and diarrhea.”
Finally, Dr. Dan says people should watch the weather forecasts as the temperatures can make big swings from hot to cool this time of year.
