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If your pet is experiencing severe heat stress or a heat stroke (symptoms include lethargy, vomiting, difficulty breathing, collapse, or a high rectal temperature) \u2013 these are considered \u201cRED\u201d \u2013 or true emergencies \u2013 on our Fast Track Triage system. We advise you to seek immediate veterinary care. Please call ahead of your arrival so the veterinary team knows to expect you!<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n It has been a growing concern this summer that pet owners are leaving their pets inside hot cars and are heavily exercising their pets during hot weather. We want to keep pets safe this summer, especially on humid days.<\/p>\n Leaving Pets in Cars<\/strong><\/big> When you\u2019re overheating and thirsty, do you enjoy drinking hot water? A bowl of water sitting in your car is going to get just as warm as your dog is. Hot water is not refreshing. It\u2019s rather useless.<\/p>\n Neither of these make a difference. The temperature inside the car is hotter than the outside temperature-no matter where you park. Cracked windows do nothing on a hot, humid day. There\u2019s no cool air coming in.<\/p>\n In 5-10 minutes, the temperature inside the car increases from the outside temperature. It might be 78 degrees outside, but after 30 minutes, the inside of that car is at 120 degrees. Dogs don\u2019t sweat like humans do. They can only sweat through the pads on their feet. This means dogs can overheat quickly. See the graphic below to learn more.<\/p>\n Keep your pet safe and NEVER leave him\/her in a car. If you went to the veterinarian and then have to go to the grocery store that\u2019s right next to the vet clinic, then drive home and drop off your pet first. Is this inconvenient? Sure. Is this taking up more gas? Yes. Is this worth your pet\u2019s health and safety? Absolutely. Leaving your dog in a hot car can kill your dog. If a pet owner is willing to take that risk than he\/she does not deserve a pet.<\/p>\n If you see a dog alone in a parked car, call the police. Write down the car\u2019s information (color, model, license plate number). If the dog seems okay, run into the store and alert the business. Ask them to page the owner of the car. However, if the dog is already overheating (panting, barking, acting frantic), take a quick photo with your cell phone and then break open the window. The photo is to prove to police that the dog was endangered so then you won\u2019t get charged with breaking into a car. Wait with the dog until the police arrive. If you have cool water, give the dog some.<\/p>\n Still not convinced that you shouldn\u2019t leave your dog in a hot car? Then go sit in your parked car on a hot day. Park in the shade, crack the windows, and wait ten minutes. Watch Dr. Ernie Ward sit in a hot car for thirty minutes:<\/p>\n\n
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\nYou wouldn\u2019t leave a baby in a hot car while you run into the store. Don\u2019t do it to your dog. We\u2019ve heard the following excuses:<\/p>\n\u201cThere was water in the backseat.\u201d<\/h5>\n
\u201cI was parked in the shade and cracked open the windows.\u201d<\/h5>\n
\u201cI was only gone ten minutes!\u201d<\/h5>\n
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