Photo: BC SPCA
Kamloops animal owners are being cautioned to keep a watchful eye on pets and keep them inside as much as possible with a heatwave expected to bring a sweltering high of 41 C on Tuesday.
Dr. Megan Broschak, a veterinarian at the Neighbourhood Veterinary Hospital on St. Paul Street, said she doesn’t recommend keeping dogs active outside over 25 C except to go to the bathroom.
“Aside from that, avoid exercise, dogs playing with balls, that type of thing, because it can be really, really dangerous,” she said.
“I’d say overall, just avoid being outside with your animals at this point with this heat wave.”
Broschak said dog owners should keep an eye out for signs of heat stroke, which could include excessive panting, dark red or pink colouring on gums, “sticky or tacky” feeling gums, vomiting, diarrhea and agitated behaviour. She said heat stroke can possibly lead to organ failure.
“We haven't seen any heat stroke yet up at Phases Emergency Hospital, that we also own, but I expect we'll probably see some of those cases this week,” she said.
She recommended owners also keep their pets off asphalt and pavement to avoid burning paws and to make sure pets have access to water to stay hydrated.
She said pet owners with questions or concerns should call their regular veterinarian, or Phases Veterinary Emergency Hospital 24 hours a day.
James Sudhoff, an assistant teaching professor in TRU’s veterinary technology program, said other symptoms can include the animal showing “vacant” behaviour and feeling warm on their paws, armpits and groin.
“One that stops panting and then might start getting a little tremors in their muscles, which then can progress into seizures or coma, and potentially even can die from that as well,” he said.
To cool off the animal, Sudhoff said owners can take their pets to a shaded area, in a air conditioned home, or put them in running water.
He said owners should avoid putting pets in an ice bath to quickly cool them down as the ice could constrict blood vessels and slow the animal’s ability to dissipate heat. He said cool running water is optimal.
Sudhoff said some pets, such as dogs, don’t have sweat glands and dissipate water though their tongue, by panting and through their feet. He said giving the animal something cool to stand on, or even pouring water over their feet can provide relief.
He said keeping animals hydrated is important, as well, but owners should avoid letting their pet drink too much.
“You might want to just give them, say 30 licks, and then just give them the time for them to catch their breath and to settle down so that they don't over drink,” he said.
Sudhoff said owners shouldn’t leave animals alone in a vehicle, even if the air conditioning is on, and if you notice an animal is in distress and trapped inside a vehicle, to call the RCMP or the BC SPCA.
He said prevention is most important.
“Don’t go walking your animals in the hottest part of the day, really try to do it early in the morning or in the evening and if you do go, make sure you have the ability to have water and an ability to give water to the animal,” he said.
“If you notice your animal’s off and starts not eating or vomiting, or has diarrhea with blood days later, those could be symptoms that something has also happened as well. So don't just look in the short term, look a little bit in the longer term.”
