Our Ferreira Animal Hospital in Miami, FL Discusses Heat Stroke in Dogs & Cats and How to Prevent Your Pet from Overheating
Every year you hear about dogs left in cars who nearly die before someone smashes a window, and as heat waves intensify, you hear about pets with burnt paws and sunburn. Even cats aren't immune, despite their reputation for loving sunbeams and warm spots. Watching out for signs of heat stroke is especially important in Miami, and Ferreira Animal Hospital wants you to know the signs of heat stroke in pets.
Signs of Heat Stroke
Panting is a sign of heat stress -- take it as a sign that your pet needs a break. Cats use panting as a way to release heat, too, but they are not known for panting under normal conditions. Contact a veterinarian immediately if your cat starts panting, or if your dog won't stop even after resting someplace cool.
Beyond panting, your pets can experience weakness, dizziness, vomiting, and diarrhea, and collapse as part of a heat stroke. And if you notice that the membranes of the pet's mouth, eyes, and other parts where you can see membranes have turned bright red, that's a sign of heat stroke, too. Finally, drooling, especially thick drool, is another warning sign.
How to Prevent Heat Stroke in Pets
Stop leaving your pets in your car. It doesn't matter if the day feels nice to you or if you're only going to be gone for a minute, your pet wears a fur coat and can't open the door to let you know something is wrong. If your pet is outside, give it frequent water breaks and rest breaks in the shade, and be sure it wears booties on the hot ground.
As for shaving, some pets benefit from shaving, but others use their fur as insulation against the heat. Talk to your veterinarian first.
Get More Pet Tips from Our Veterinarian At Ferreira Animal Hospital in Miami, FL!
Ferreira Animal Hospital in Miami sees too many pets injured by the heat each year. Keep your pet safe no matter the temperature. Call us at (786) 275-4629 for an appointment if you want help handling the heat.