Submitted by GSPCA on 12:23, 17th Jul, 2013 | 0

It is the hottest day so far and we have more to come and 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.

Even 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 ‘Once again we have already had calls this year about dogs locked in cars and animals without water and we don't want any animal to suffer.' 

'We have also had calls of other animals in warm housing such as poor ventilated greenhouses and hutches in direct sunlight.'

'You really have to consider all pets and animals and ensure they have a cool, well ventilated area and acess to fresh water and please ensure there is water available for the local wildlife.'

'You can have fun with your pets and many dog owners make ice dog chew lollies for their pets to crunch and cool down but it is a very serious matter.'

'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.

For further advice on animals in hot weather please click here.

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.

If you would like to donate to Nouska the Husky's operation and the other animals in need please call 01481 257261, pop into the Shelter in St Andrews or click on the Paypal link below and reference 'Nouska's Appeal'

 

If you have found a baby bird then for advice on what to do please

Baby bird advice from the GSPCA in Guernsey

Fancy doing a sponsored event for the GSPCA?  To download a GSPCA Sponsor form to help raise funds for Nouska and the other animals at the Shelter please

Download a GSPCA Sponsorship Form

Have you liked us on facebook yet or joined us on twitter?

Like GSPCA Guenrsey Animal Shelter on facebookFollow the GSPCA Animal Shelter in Guernsey on twitter

To see the story of Jethou Bumblebee the grey seal pup please check out this short video from start to finish on how staff rescued him with a lot of help.

To see the story of Hanois and his rescue please go to http://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/hanois-grey-seal-pup-rescued-saturday-gspca-staff

There are many items on the GSPCA's Wish List and you can see many of them by clicking here including a list of Amazon items which would make a difference to animals in Guernsey.

To download our latest newsletter or become a member of the GSPCA please

To become a GSPCA member

To download posters to help advertise some of the animals looking for homes please

Animals looking for new homes in Guernsey

The following are events planned for 2013

Every Tuesday during term time between 10.30am and 12pm at the GSPCA we have a coffee morning with bric-a-brac and pet supplies on sale (free entry) also guided tours at £5 per person minimum donation available at 11am.  Please click here for more details

Wednesday 17th July 6.30pm - Volunteer Induction Evening - to be held at the Shelter, more details to follow

Roy Cochrane Presents "Guernsey Changes" a colour slide and chat show at Les Cotils Saturday 20th July.please click here for details

Saturday 20th July a stall at the Guernsey Cheshire Home & the Guernsey MS Society It's A Knockout at Saumarez Park.please click here for details

Sunday 21st July - Family Fun Car Boot Sale at Specsavers - please click here for details

9th - 10th August 2013 South Show GSPCA Stall - volunteers needed to help with the stand

14th - 15th August 2013 West Show GSPCA Stall - volunteers needed to help with the stand

17th August Donkey Derby GSPCA Stall - volunteers needed to help with the stand

21st - 22nd August 2013 North Show GSPCA stall - volunteers needed to help with the stand

GSPCA Flag Day August 24th - we are looking for volunteers to help make this the biggest and best flag day the GSPCA has held

Sunday 25th August - Vale Earth Fair - volunteers needed to help with the stand

Sunday 15th September 2013 - Animal Welfare Seafront Sunday - click here for more details.

4th October - World Animal Day - more details to follow

The GSPCA Mystery of Masquerade Charity Ball Saturday 2nd November 2013 - click here for more details

Fancy doing a sponsored event for the GSPCA?  To download a GSPCA Sponsor form please

Download a GSPCA Sponsorship Form

Would your business, office or school like a collection box or counter box to sell GSPCA goods?  Please email [email protected] for more details

 

 

Share

Post new comment

The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.
  • Web page addresses and e-mail addresses turn into links automatically.
  • Allowed HTML tags: <a> <em> <strong> <cite> <code> <ul> <ol> <li> <dl> <dt> <dd>
  • Lines and paragraphs break automatically.

More information about formatting options