It may be a too-common practice to take the family pet shopping and leave it in the car with the windows cracked open, but the Human Society of Utah is urging pet owners not to take the pet in the first place.
On a warm day, the temperature inside a car, even with the windows open, can reach 106 degrees in less than 10 minutes, said Katharine Brant, director of development for the Humane Society of Utah."No matter how much the pet may enjoy riding in the car in the summertime, it's too big of a risk," Brant said. "If there is any question that you're going to leave the animal without your supervision, don't take the animal in the first place."
Animals confined in parked cars can easily suffer heatstroke. One study showed that when the outside temperature is 78 degrees, a closed car parked in the shade will reach 90 degrees in five minutes and 110 degrees in 25 minutes, she said.
"People don't consider that the sun moves during the day," she said. "and even if you park in the shade, the sun will seep through the windows."
Animals do have adaptive mechanisms to help adjust to changing temperatures, but if the temperature rises too quickly, these mechanisms cannot compete. As the animal overheats, body temperature increases the metabolic rate until sufficient oxygen can't reach the tissues, she said.
Symptoms of heatstroke include: rapid panting, tongue enlarged or a deep red or purple color, warm/dry skin, muscular twitches, dazed look, glazed eyes, dizziness, vomiting, failure to respond to commands, irregular behavior, extreme high fever, rapid heartbeat and collapse, she said.
"People don't consider that the dog is wearing a fur coat," she said. "A pet can sweat only one way - to pant and often this is not very effective and could lead to hyperventilation."
Heatstoke is an emergency requiring immediate therapy, she said. The longer an animal has been exposed to excessive temperature, the more severe the condition.
Methods of first aid include placing the pet in a cooler area, sprinkling cool water over the body, massaging for improved circulation, letting the pet drink small amounts of water and getting prompt veterinary attention, she said.
"Ninety-nine percent of the matter is just being thoughtless," she said. "People just don't realize the danger."