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Recognising & Treating Heatstroke in Pets

“We’re set for a scorcher” – it’s a phrase that comes hand-in-hand with the Australian summer. With many places reaching above and beyond 40°C during our summer, many of our pets can suffer from the heat without us realising until, sometimes, it’s too late.

There are certain pets that may suffer from heatstroke more than others. These include pets with black or dark fur (which traps heat much more than fair fur), overweight pets, and certain breeds with “squashed faces” such as pugs, who cannot circulate air through their narrow nasal passages as well. In fact in 2017, Melbourne couple Jasminka Hewitt and partner David Loosz lost their French bulldog pair Hank and Dita to the effects of heatstroke after their dog sitter exercised them in extreme heat, emphasising just have destructive summer heat can be.

Identifying heatstroke

Heatstroke occurs when your pet’s body temperature-regulation mechanism fails due to exposure to excessively high temperatures. In pets, heatstroke can be determined in several ways including:

  • A high body temperature (over 40°C)
  • Excessive salivation
  • Distress
  • Excessive panting or difficulty breathing
  • Change in gum colour (blue-purple or bright red) due to an inadequate oxygen supply to these tissues

If you suspect that your pet is suffering from heatstroke, they should be taken to your vet as soon as possible, as it can affect the organs and nerves and can damage your pet’s body even if experienced for just a short period of time. Keep them cool on the way to the vet with your car’s air conditioning and try and get them to drink water if they can. If your pet is suffering from less-severe heat distress, they can be treated at home – try lowering their body temperature gradually with a wet towel and by offering them cool (not chilled) water. Never leave your dog locked in a car on a hot day, and exercise caution even for pets left indoors.

Speaking of heatstroke, sun damage is more common in some pets than others. Due to the decreased pigment levels in their skin, pets with white or very light fur will suffer in the sun, as will dog breeds such as staffies, greyhounds and boxers. Pet-safe sunscreen can be applied to problem-prone areas including the ears, nose and belly, and you should exercise caution by keeping sun-sensitive pets in a shady, cool environment during the hottest and sunniest parts of the day.

Avoiding heatstroke the right away

Heatstroke can be avoided in pets by following some handy tips including:

  • Walk or exercise your dog at dawn, dusk or at night, avoiding the hottest parts of the day. Test whether the ground is too hot to walk on by placing your hand on it: if you can’t keep your hand there for a few seconds, it’s too hot for your dog’s little paws!
  • Give outdoor dogs access to a shady kennel, or supply them with a doggy door so they can go in and out as they please for fresh air. Indoor-only pets should have well-aerated spaces – even they can overheat if they’re trapped in a stuffy room.
  • Encourage additional water intake during walks or exercise. You can also invest in a special water fountain that entices cats and dogs to drink more.
  • Hit the beach or pool! Just make sure you have flotation devices or life jackets if you’re going to be around water, and always keep and eye on your pets.
  • Make some fun ice snacks for dogs. Freeze cooked meat, liver treats or similar in a block of ice for them to lick on hot days.
  • Keep long-haired pets well-groomed, but don’t shave their hair off: long-coated dogs such as huskies actually use their fur to regulate heat, so shaving off their fur can do more harm than good.

And lastly, don’t forget to follow your instincts this summer: if you’re hot, your pet probably is too! With awareness and care, your pet will happily enjoy summer by your side.


 

What our clients say...

Testimonials

Greer Thompson

We were thrilled at the care & love that was shown to us, and our beautiful little Paris (dog) pre her cremation!! Had no dramas what so ever in relation to them taking care of Paris after we said goodbye to her at the Vets Hospital in Springwood! Loved how we got a death certificate, a seed to plant in her honour, & other little mementos of her, that came in a lovely folder!! Also loved how they delivered her to our home, the gentleman dressed in a lovely suit & he was wearing white gloves!! A truly nice touch I thought!! This was 2 years ago! Was recommending them to my niece who sadly is putting their much loved Bailey (dog) to sleep today, 3/6/17!! Was reading thru some of the reviews so thought I would post a positive for Pets in Peace!

Greer Thompson
Brisbane

Katrina Eddy

We will forever be grateful to Pets in Peace for the care and understanding when our Maybe passed. It was a tough time for us and the way they handled it was with the highest respect and understanding. We are very happy to have our baby home now and are extremely happy in this sad time with the service we received. I would also like to thank Eddy the gentleman who came out and collected our sweet girl for his work and the care taken with Maybe. In this time of sorrow it is so great to know that there are people there to help with decision with such understanding. Thank you again. Will have no problem recommending your service to anyone that may need it.

Katrina Eddy
Brisbane

Jade Wright

Thank you so much! I couldn’t recommend pets in peace enough. Our little Bowzer crossed the rainbow bridge and we have something so beautiful to keep with us forever. I found all your staff to be compassionate, helpful and patient with us while we not only processed our little boy leaving this earth but also deciding on all on the arrangements. We thank you for being so understanding and nothing was ever too hard even when we requested a particular white paw to be printed. Thank you again.

Jade Wright
Brisbane

Stephanie Hulett

Absolutely recommend Pets in Peace. They were so kind, respectful, professional and compassionate. Every step in the process was well-considered to support the owner during a difficult time. The team went out of their way to handle my beautiful pet in a thoughtful & considerate way, and gave me the support, time and opportunity to say good bye & grieve. Losing a pet is awful, but Pets in Peace made the whole thing a bit more bearable & helped me honour my pet’s memory.

Stephanie Hulett
Brisbane

Stuart Cain

We would like to thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for the absolute care and dignity shown to ALL our family members during the passing of our two puppies that you have cared for. My children and grandchildren asked me to pass on their appreciation to Jeremy who cared for Zorro, he went above and beyond and Tracy who I spoke with during our most recent experience was professional and personal at the same time which is often difficult to achieve in difficult times! We can’t recommend you highly enough and will be returning when the need arises in the future.

Stuart Cain
Brisbane

David & Rob

Dear Martin & Bev, 

We just wanted to follow-up on our thank you card from yesterday to say how much we have valued the sensitive and compassionate service we received from all the staff of Pets In Peace. From the moment of our initial email inquiry two weeks ago to the safe delivery of Akimi’s ashes to us yesterday, we have always felt we were in safe and professional hands. We received expert care in every stage of the process. 

We have no doubt that the moment Akimi was taken into care by Pets in Peace, she would have been treated with the same dignity and respect we were with each email and phone contact. I spoke and emailed with Abbey several times and she was always calm, professional, and very caring in our time of grief and loss. Abbey took the time to listen to our needs and recommended a service appropriate to that. Please thank her for us; she is definitely a credit to you. Also the time the driver spent chatting with me yesterday was deeply appreciated; my apologies as I have forgotten his name. But he did not simply drop the ashes and run but took the time to have a personal interaction and talk to me as one who understood what I was going through. That will not be forgotten. 

And the sensitive, caring, and secure way Akimi’s ashes were returned to us was very comforting. The sealed scatter box with the ashes inside a sealed bag within a velvet bag in the box. And on a bed of pink tissue paper. We loved the engraved plaque and the sensitive cremation certificate and a gold paw print. And her lock of hair will be treasured. Such attention to detail and care with these mementos is deeply appreciated. We can’t thank you all enough for making such a difficult and traumatic time that much easier for us. 

We scattered Akimi’s ashes this morning in the garden below our balcony, along with some yellow rose petals. Just a simple and short ceremony with the two of us, and she is now at rest. And the gorgeous engraved plaque has been affixed to a lovely frame with the photo of Akimi in it. And today we registered a star in her name with the International Star Registry. She may be gone from us physically, but her light will never fade in our lifetime.   

Once again, we can’t thank you enough for being there for us when we needed you. 

Best regards,

David and Rob 

Need more information? No problem.

For more detailed information on any of our services simply give us a call to speak with one of our caring and supportive team.

1800 100 909

  • Home
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Loganholme

Head Office
22/24 Babdoyle Street,
Loganholme Qld 4129

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Clontarf

37 Snook Street,
Clontarf Qld 4019

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Ipswich

333 Brisbane St,
West Ipswich Qld 4305

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Toowoomba

36a Vanity Street
Rockville QLD 4350

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Contact Details

Phone: 07 3801 4518
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