In recent days, several provinces in Ecuador are going through an intense heat wave and this also affects your pets.
With very high maximum temperatures, the country has been plunged into a wave high thermal sensation.
And just as human beings are exposed to decompensation as a result of heat stroke, pets are also affected.
High thermal marks can have consequences on your health and behavior.
“The sensation of heat that an animal experiences does not depend only on the ambient temperature, but on the so-called effective temperature,” explained the Small Animals Commission of the College of Veterinarians of the Province of Buenos Aires (CVPBA).
This is why specialists recommend anticipating certain situations to mitigate the effect of heat on the animals.
These measures should be taken especially when the ambient temperature exceeds 25° and the humidity reaches 50%.
The main resource for animals to cope with the heat is usually to take them for a walk or take them outdoors.
Despite this, it should not be ignored that the temperature of the ground enters directly into the animal’s body, often causing burns.
As preventive measures with pets in these hot days, follow the following recommendations:
1. Always have fresh, clean water available
2. Clean the water bowls, especially in cats, who do not drink more when there is dust in their water bowl.
3. Feed them preferably with natural and fresh food, not with carbohydrates that generate more heat.
4. Make “ice creams” in ice cube trays, with broth or just water, to add to your bowl or lick.
5. Do not take long walks. Better short and at the indicated times.
6. Place wet rags or towels on the floor at home, in the places where they usually choose to lie down so they can lie down there. It is very effective in cats.
7. Never leave them inside the car, even if the window is left down and the person responsible returns immediately. The temperature inside the vehicle is very high when it is closed.
8. Put “little pools” within reach. Dogs love to get their paws wet, because there they sweat and exchange heat.
9. For animals that live on the street, leave containers with fresh water in shady places so that they have access to them.
All animals can suffer from heat stroke, but they are the dogs those who are most likely to suffer from a condition of this type.
In the case of dogs, there are breeds that are predisposed, such as, for example, dogs with a lot of fur.
But mainly small dogs with a short snout, like the French Bulldog, which have short legs.
This forces them to make a lot of effort to move, in addition to being closer to the floor and having a decreased respiratory capacity.
To identify if dogs are already affected by the heat, they may start panting loudly.
In the case of cats, panting is considered an immediate veterinary emergency; cats should never pant as they are not mouth respirators.
