ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, August 18, 1996 TAG: 9608190014
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-18 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
COLUMN: claws & paws
SOURCE: JILL BOWEN
Q: I was appalled recently to see a little dog sitting in a car in Kroger's parking lot. The day was sort of cloudy, but still hot and sticky. All the windows of the car were rolled up. The little dog was panting a lot and looked unhappy. I waited a bit for the owner to come out, but then thought the person would not like my interfering so I left. What ought I to have done?
A: It is always difficult to know when to take action in regard to an animal's welfare. Under the circumstances that you describe I think that I would have taken the license plate number of the car involved and asked the Customer Service desk attendants in Kroger to announce over the public address system that the owners should return to their car at once and the reason why. If that had failed and the dog was obviously in distress then I would call the animal control officer or police.
Heat stroke is a life-threatening medical emergency that occurs when a dog's body temperature rises four to seven degrees above normal (normal body temperature 101.5 F). The symptoms to look for are:
1. Excessive panting
2. Brick red lips, tongue, gums and eyes.
3. Weakness, loss of coordination and even collapse.
If you think that your dog has heat stroke, contact your veterinarian immediately. He will probably tell you to start cooling your dog at once and bring it into his clinic as quickly as possible.
To cool your dog use cool, not ice cold, water together with a fan to bring the dog's body temperature below 103 degrees. I once spent a very uncomfortable half hour sitting in a bath of very cold water clutching a very uncooperative bulldog, who, as he recovered decided that I was obviously the enemy!
To make sure that you do not have to undertake such drastic measures never leave a dog unattended in the car in warm weather, even if the windows are cracked open. Keep your dog inside on hot, humid days. This is especially important if the dog is old, very young, or has a breathing problem, or is a short-nosed breed such as a peke, pug, bulldog, etc.
If your dog is left outside, provide it with plenty of fresh water (with a back up bowl in case one is spilt). He must also have access to shade at all times.
Do not shave long-haired dogs in hot weather if they are to be outside. Hair coats operate as air-filled buffers, shielding the dog's skin from excess heat.
Cats can also suffer from heatstroke if they are confined in a small hot area, such as a parked car. Under normal conditions at home, they are very clever at finding cool shady spots in which to lie and laze the long summer days away.
If you have a question for Jill Bowen, please write to her in care of the New River Current, P.O. Box 540, Christiansburg, Va. 24073 or send e-mail to newriver@infi.net.p1/3
LENGTH: Medium: 58 linesby CNB