By KAREN MATHEE
Kitsap Humane Society
The new Washington state law aimed at preventing pets from being locked in hot cars seems to be doing its job. As local temperatures soared into the 90s this summer, Kitsap Humane Society Animal Control officers received far fewer calls from concerned citizens than they usually do in a heat wave.
Effective this month, the law levies a $125 fine for leaving animals in a car when it’s hot enough to harm them and permits animal control officers and police to break in and rescue pets without being liable for damages.
“Normally at this time of year, we get around 15 calls a day,” Lead Animal Control Officer Chase Connolly said. “Now we’re getting maybe four or five.” As of this writing, his officers have issued two citations related to the law.
Not everyone may realize just how fast temperatures can climb inside a car, and that leaving your dog inside for just a “quick” daytime errand can be dangerous in warm weather. The American Veterinary Medical Foundation reports that it can take just 20 minutes to get up to 104 degrees in a car when it’s 75 degrees outside. To play it safe, it’s best to leave your pet home in a cool room with plenty of air flow and water to drink.
So, what if your pet does fall prey to the heat? There are a number of signs for heat exhaustion in dogs, according to Dr. Jen Stonequist, KHS director of shelter medicine.
Dogs cannot sweat like humans and rely on panting to cool themselves, so rapid panting is the first thing to watch for. “Because dogs will tolerate this condition to the extreme, it can be difficult to tell there’s a problem until the situation is more serious,” Stonequist said. That’s why it’s best to keep your dog in the house or in a cool, shady place in the yard during extreme heat.
Other signs of heat exhaustion in a dog are unwillingness to exercise and, most concerning, a state of collapse. An owner should call their vet or take their dog to an emergency animal hospital if it begins to exhibit heat-related distress. Stonequist said rubbing alcohol placed on the inside of your dog’s ears and on its pads is an emergency measure to help draw the heat out. Also, your dog can be hosed down with cool water, but Stonequist recommends against immersing a dog in ice water, which can cause shock.
An owner can take a dog’s temperature rectally with a regular thermometer. Normal canine temperature is 101.5 to 102.5 degrees, and anything over 103 is cause for concern, Stonequist noted. “A temperature of 104 to 105 can cause cell damage to begin.”
Another reason to keep your dog out of the hot sun, Stonequist said, is that dogs do sunburn. “They can get second- or third-degree burns from the sun after only a few hours.”
Hot pavement also poses a threat when the mercury rises, according to Deana Case, KHS canine behavior and training coordinator. One test, she said, is to place the back of your hand on the pavement for five seconds. If it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for your dog. And if you’re out walking and your pet starts to dance, pull on the leash or exhibit anxious behavior, it may very well have hot paws. If you suspect your pet has burned its paws, have it checked by a vet, since burns can be deeper than they appear.
Here are a few more summertime safety tips from Case:
— If your pet must be crated for a period of time or taken somewhere in the car, a frozen two-liter water bottle can help keep it cool.
— Frozen Kongs or bones can be refreshing to your dog.
— Don’t leave your pet unattended by a swimming pool, as it can get disoriented in the water and have difficulty finding a way out.
— If you take your pet out on a boat, have it wear a lifejacket, too.
— Avoid giving your pets barbecue sauce, charred meat or cooked bones, all of which are hard on their stomachs.
Karen Matthee, communications director of the Kitsap Humane Society, writes about pet care for Kitsap Week. Contact her at KReed-Matthee@kitsaphumane.org.
