According to PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), every year many dogs suffer death because of their owners leaving them in a boiling hot car. Parked cars are considered to be deathtraps for dogs. On a day when its 78 degrees, temperature inside a parked car can easily shoot up to 100 and 120 degrees within minutes. On a day when it’s 90 degree outside, it can get as hot as 160 degrees in the car within no time.
As the surrounding temperature increases to that of the core body, dogs start to pant to cool their bodies down. However, when the surrounding humidity also increases, panting becomes ineffective and it becomes even harder for the dogs to regulate their blood temperature.
Normal body temperature for a canine is between 100 and 103 degrees. Heatstroke is defined as extreme hypothermia with body temperatures of 106-109 degrees, resulting in thermal injury to the body tissues.
In the early stages of a heatstroke, heart rate increases to increase blood flow so that it can dissipate more heat from the body surface. With blood rushing in these blood vessels, the core blood pressure drops. Due to decreased blood pressure and excessive fluid loss from panting, heat loss mechanisms fail, resulting in further elevation in body temperatures.
Locking up your dog in the car can lead to brain damage or a sudden heatstroke death in 15 minutes. For dogs, resisting heat is extra tough, because the only way they can keep their body cool is by panting and sweating through their paw pads.
If you see a dog locked up alone in a car on a hot day, note down the license plate number and report to the humane authorities or local police. If the authorities are too slow and unresponsive, and the dog’s life seems to be in trouble, find a witness who can see what’s going on, and then take necessary measures to remove the dog from the car. Wait for the authorities to arrive.
A guy took a series of photos of what happens to an egg in a frying pan left inside a car on a hot day for just 15 minutes. All in hope to spread awareness, about ‘NOT’ leaving your dogs in the car.
“The interior temperature can reach as high as 160 degrees in less than 10 minutes”
It can lead to brain damage or sudden heatstroke death in just 15 minutes
Every year dogs die when their owners leave them in a parked car
After removing the dog from the car, immediately look for heatstress signs such as thick saliva, restlessness, excessive thirst, heavy panting, lethargy, lack of appetite, dark tongue, rapid heart beat, fever, vomiting, bloody diarrhea and lock of coordination. If this happens, take the dog in an air-conditioned vehicle immediately, and then to a veterinarian. If you not able to take the dog, take him or her into an air-conditioned building nearby, and call the animal rescue and tell them it’s an emergency.
Provide the dog water to drink. If possible, spray the dog with a garden hose or immerse him or her into a tub of cool water for two to three minutes in order to decrease the body temperature of your dog gradually. You can also stand your dog in front of an electric fan. Applying cool wet towels to the groin area, chest and paws will also help. Don’t use ice cold water, and be careful not to over cool the dog.
While walking your dog, keep in mind that if it feels hot enough for an egg to fry, it probably is. When the air temperature outside is 86 degrees, roads and pavements can easily get to a scorching 130 degrees. Enough to fry an egg in five minutes. These hot roads can do the same to our loving canine friend’s sensitive paws.
On a day when its 90 degrees, asphalt can easily reach to a temperature of 140 degrees, hot enough to cause burns, permanent damage and scarring in just 1 minute after contact. Hot side walks, pavements and roads not only burn the paws of your dog, but also reflects heat onto your dog’s bodies, which can increase the risk of deadly strokes.
If you won’t put your dog in hot frying pan, you wouldn’t want to leave them in hot car as well. Always check the hotness of the pavement with your hand before you take your dog out on a walk. If it’s too hot to touch, it is too hot for your dog paws too. Walk your dog early in the morning or late at night when the temperature is a bit cooler. Remember to carry water with you and take frequent brakes in shades. Also avoid wearing muzzles on your dog’s face as it causes suffocation.