HOT WEATHER ADVICE from the GSPCA - With the warm weather please ensure your pets and animals are safe
Submitted by Steve on 22:34, 29th Jun, 2015 |
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With the hot and sunny weather we are currently enjoying the GSPCA are calling everyone to be mindful of your pets.
Many of us love to enjoy the sunny warm weather but we are urging pet owners to be mindful of their animals.
Don't leave your dog alone in a car.
If it’s very warm outside and you’re going out in the car, think very carefully about what you are going to do with your dog. You should never leave a dog alone in a car.
It can get unbearably hot in a car on a sunny day, even when it’s not that warm. In fact, when it’s 22°C/72°F outside like it will be today, the temperature inside a car can soar to 47°C/117°F within 60 minutes. Unlike humans, dogs pant to help keep themselves cool. In a hot stuffy car, dogs can’t cool down – leaving a window open or a sunshield on your windscreen won’t keep your car cool enough. Dogs die in hot cars.
With current legislation in Guernsey if it can be proven that your dog is suffering you can face prosecution. You would also have to live with the fact that your thoughtless action resulted in terrible suffering for your pet.
If you see a dog in a car on a warm day please call the GSPCA on 01481 257261.
Heatstroke - early warning signs
Heatstroke can be fatal. Do everything you can to prevent it. Some dogs are more prone to heatstroke. For example, dogs with short snouts, fatter or heavily muscled dogs and long-haired breeds, as well as very old or very young dogs. Dogs with certain diseases are more prone to heatstroke, as are dogs on certain medication.
If dogs are unable to reduce their body temperature, they will develop heatstroke. There are some signs to look for:
heavy panting
profuse salivation
a rapid pulse
very red gums/tongue
lethargy
lack of coordination
reluctance or inability to rise after collapsing
vomiting
diarrhoea
loss of consciousness in extreme circumstances.
Heatstroke - first aid
If your dog shows any symptoms of heatstroke, move him/her to a shaded, cool area and ring your vet for advice immediately. Heatstroke can be fatal and should always be treated as an emergency.
Dogs suffering from heatstroke urgently need to have their body temperature gradually lowered:
Immediately douse your dog with cool (not cold) water, to avoid shock – you could put your dog in a shower and run cool water over him/her, or use a spray filled with cool water and place your dog in the breeze of a fan.
Let your dog drink small amounts of cool water.
Continue to douse your dog with cool water until his/her breathing starts to settle – never cool your dog so much that he/she begins to shiver.
Once you have cooled your dog down you should take him/her straight to the veterinary surgery.
Top tips for warm weather
Your dog should always be able to move into a cooler, ventilated environment if he/she is feeling hot.
Never leave your dog alone in a car. If you want to take your dog with you on a car journey, make sure that your destination is dog-friendly – you won’t be able to leave your dog in the car and you don’t want your day out to be ruined!
If you have to leave your dog outside, you must provide a cool shady spot where he/she can escape from the sun at all times of the day.Please remember that shade cover can move during the day.
Make sure your dog always has a good supply of drinking water, in a weighted bowl that can’t be knocked over. Carry water with you on hot days and give your dog frequent small amounts.
Never leave your dog in a glass conservatory or a caravan. Even if it is cloudy when you leave, the sun may come out later in the day and make it unbearably hot.
Groom your dog regularly to get rid of excess hair. Give long-coated breeds a haircut at the start of the summer, and later in the season, if necessary.
Dogs need exercise - even when it is hot. Walk your dog early in the morning or later in the evening. Never allow your dog to exercise excessively in hot weather.
Dogs can get sunburned too – particularly those with light-coloured noses or light-coloured fur on their ears. Ask your vet for advice on pet-safe sunscreen.
Make an ice lolly or ice cream dog treat for your dogs to crunch and chew to cool down.
Please be mindful of the other pets in your care and where you keep them and ensure they don’t get trapped in places such as greenhouses and conservatories.
Steve Byrne, GSPCA Manager said "Last summer Annie Janes one of our staff at the GSPCA was called to attend a scene in Guernsey where with the police a dog had to be removed from a hot car."
"Thankfully the dog was very lucky, but who knows what could have happened if we hadn't been called."
"Around the world we hear of stories of dogs left in cars and animals in cages in direct sun light which kill them and we want everyone to ensure they care for their animals and ensure they are safe."
"Each year we receive calls about animals in warm housing such as poor ventilated greenhouses and hutches in direct sunlight, as well as those in hot cars and vans."
"You really have to consider all pets and animals and ensure they have a cool, well ventilated area and access to fresh water in this warm weather."
"During hot weather you can always have a bit of fun with your pets and many dog owners make ice dog chew lollies for their pets to crunch and cool down."
"If you are concerned about any animal and you can't find the owner we would urge you to give the GSPCA a call on 01481 257261.'"
By following this advice we at the GSPCA hope you and your pets enjoy the sunny weather.
Here is a link to one of many sites where you can find out how to make Doggy Ice Cream but please remember to ensure your dog has an appropriate and balanced diet - please click here for details.
If you have a light coloured pet then for advice on how to avoid them getting skin cancer please click here.
We are working closely with Jessie's owners to help in the search of their dog and we all appreciate the wonderful public support and reports so far.
We would like to highlight that Jessie is a very nervous and timid beagle cross who has only recently been adopted from a UK rescue and is scared by people and loud noises.
She is an 8 year old, female, white and brindle beagle cross with no collar.
If you do spot Jessie please call us at the GSPCA on 01481 257261
Please do not approach or try to catch her as it is likely to scare her away and not help with her safe capture.
If she is in a secure area where you can close a gate or door then please do so and give us a call at the Shelter immediately.
With all reports the time, location and direction of movement is extremely important.
If you are able to get a picture or video clip this would really help.
At the GSPCA we have team members at the end of a phone and manning our ambulance 24 hours a day.
We are doing everything we possibly can and our team are on stand by to help in the safe capture.
To call the GSPCA please ring 01481 257261 and if you have any pictures please email them to [email protected]
We continue to help in the search of Bertie the stray schnauzer that went missing in November last year, but sadly we have had no reports in some time but if you see him please follow the same advice as above.
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