PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A recent British study found that heatstroke is becoming an increasing problem for pets in different parts of the world, especially in the face of global warming.
As the weather warms, our natural inclination is to get out and enjoy it, especially once the pandemic ends. Of course, dog owners want to take their best friends out too.
Dr. Kenneth James Drobatz, director of emergency services at Penn Vet's Ryan Hospital said he certainly sees heatstroke cases in pets as the weather gets hotter. If you see excessive panting and drooling, vomiting, get them to the vet.
"Heat illness is initially very mild, where you just get a little overheated, a little weak and a little tired to actually seizures to comatose. They go into shock," he explained. "The whole spectrum is there and it gets progressively worse if they are not treated."
Drobatz stressed how important it is for pet owners to plan ahead as the weather warms.
"It's that transition period when you start to get into the really warm weather. It takes two or three weeks or so to acclimate to a hotter environment so sometimes when those first hot days come out people get excited to get outside and take their dogs with them," he said.
"They get out there and start running out around and they don't realize that just as the people haven't acclimated, neither is the dog. Sometimes those dogs will keep running with you and just keep going until they collapse."
He said there are specific signs for which pet owners need to watch out.
"Excessive panting," he detailed. "Even when they stop, they just won't stop panting. They sometimes will hypersalivate. When they get more severe they will start to vomit. They can even collapse and they can even have seizures. They will get progressively weaker and weaker."
Some dogs, Drobatz said, are more susceptible to heatstroke than others.
"Certainly the brachycephalic breeds," he said, "the bulldogs, certainly dogs who are overweight. Older dogs that are not as cardiovascularly as strong and can't dissipate heat as well."
Drobatz said heatstroke in pets is a serious medical emergency, and they need to be treated by a vet as soon as possible. His advice is for pet owners to be aware of temperatures before taking their dogs outside.
"If you are hot, the dog is going to get even hotter, common sense," he advised. "When it is really hot out, don't take your dog exercising. Wait until it cools down. You could lose your dog. Why not take that one day off?"
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