Common sense pet safety for hot summer weather

Trish Lynn and Thom Donitz and friends

JOLT staff photo

We are now entering the warm summer months; this means, for many of us, travel season.

Some of us will travel locally, while others will go statewide or across this beautiful country of ours. Many of us will take our pets. If so, usually our dogs. The weather forecast predicts excessive heat for many parts of the country, and warmer than normal for Washington state, so we will focus on protecting our pets.

Needless suffering

Now, most of us already know how dangerous it is to leave your pet alone in a car or enclosure during extreme heat, but regardless, more than 1,300 pets die of heat exposure every year in the U.S.  There are most likely more that are not reported. 

In Washington, it is a Class 2 civil infraction to leave or confine any animal unattended in a motor vehicle or enclosed space if the animal could be harmed or killed by exposure to excessive heat, cold, lack of ventilation or lack of necessary water.  In our opinion, that is way too lenient: The punishment is nowhere in comparison to the needless and thoughtless suffering of an animal who trusted us to take care of them.

An animal should never be left alone in a vehicle if below freezing or above 70 degrees.  Dogs with thicker fur and dogs with flat faces are more susceptible to heat stroke.  If it is 80 degrees outside, in just 10 minutes the inside of a car can get to 100 degrees.  After just half an hour, it gets to nearly 115.  Cracking a window or parking in the shade makes little or no difference.

If you see a child or animal unattended in a vehicle when the temperature is high, call 911.

Take an animal to a veterinarian immediately if the dog is experiencing symptoms of overheating, including:

• excessive panting
• drooling
• mild weakness
• collapsing

More severe symptoms include seizures, bloody diarrhea or body temperature over 104 degrees. Try to cool an animal down with cool water if possible.

Another reminder – dogs’ paws are sensitive and can burn easily on concrete or asphalt. Dogs can get thermal burns to their paw pads, have severe tissue damage and chronic pain.  Dogs do not sweat like humans do, but through their paws and adjust to the heat differently. Try putting your hand on the sidewalk and if it hurts your hand, then it is too hot for your pet. If, during extreme heat, you do decide or need to take your pet for a walk then please try to stay on grass or walk in the early morning or late afternoon.

Try to limit your pet’s activities outside in extreme heat. Always, always have fresh water available. You might need to change an outside water bowl two or three times on a hot day. I have seen people put water bowls near sidewalks for dogs to take a drink during walks.  Some may not think it’s a good idea to do that, but we disagree -- as long as you make sure the bowl is clean and the water is changed frequently. 

Pink dogs

Something we never realized before is that you should limit sun exposure for pets with white or pink colored ears as they are more susceptible to skin cancer.

In case of emergency

In case of heat exposure or if you do need to get your pet to a veterinarian immediately, you may be too upset or flustered to find one unless you already have a veterinarian to call.

Most, if not all, of our fantastic local veterinary facilities will take emergencies during their normal business hours but if they are filled up or closed, they will refer you to one of the four listed below.

Below are veterinarians who deal with pet emergencies on a 24-hour basis in Thurston County.

Olympia Pet Emergency
4441 Pacific Ave SE, Olympia WA 98503
360-455-5155

Olympia Veterinary Specialists
902 Union Ave SE, Olympia WA 98501
360-339-3596

In our own experience, we ended up having to take a dog to Tacoma or Lakewood.  These clinics are sometimes used as emergency referrals by veterinarians in our area due to their proximity to us: 

Blue Pearl Pet Hospital
2510 S 184^th St Ste. 30D, Lakewood WA 98499
253-474-0791

Summit Veterinary Hospital
2505 S 80^th St, Tacoma WA 98409
253-983-1114

We hope this information has helped. That is our intent. We promise to have a more enlightening and fun segment next week but felt this subject had to be the very first. We hope you agree.

Paws For Thoughts

NATIONAL RESCUE DOG DAY is observed on May 20 each year to bring awareness to the countless number of amazing dogs in shelters around the country who deserve a second chance at a forever home.

Thom Donitz and Trish Lynn are neighbors and close friends who share their love of animals and wildlife. Trish is a lifelong resident of Tumwater; Thom moved here 20 years ago. Contact them at pets@theJOLTnews.com.