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Friday, August 20, 2010

Heatstroke tips for pets & horses

With triple-digit temps and higher humidity levels now due to summer and monsoon, please don't forget about the critters...

Heatstroke tips for Pets

-- Never leave your pet in the car on warm days. The temperature inside a car can rise very quickly to dangerous levels, even on milder days. Pets can succumb to heatstroke very easily and must be treated very quickly to give them the best chance of survival.

-- If you cannot immediately get your pet to a veterinarian, move it to a shaded area and out of direct sunlight.

-- Place a cool or cold, wet towel around its neck and head (do not cover your pet's eyes, nose or mouth).

-- Remove the towel, wring it out, and rewet it and rewrap it every few minutes as you cool the animal.

-- Pour or use a hose to keep water running over the animal's body (especially the abdomen and between the hind legs), and use your hands to massage its legs and sweep the water away as it absorbs the body heat.

-- Transport the pet to a veterinarian as soon as possible.

Tips for a horse

-- Move him to shady area (or erect temporary shade over him) and spray with cool water.

-- Place an ice pack on the jugular vein to help cool blood as it circulates and/or put some cubes in a rag or sock and tie to the top of halter. (If you put a wet towel over a horse's head to cool him down, do NOT cover his nose since they are nose breathers!!)

-- Offer him fresh water and put some close by to drink. Watch for signs of dehydration too (e.g. sunken eyes, panting, dark red or dry, sticky gums, etc.)

Resources:
American Veterinary Medical Association
SAVE YOUR HORSE! by Michelle Staples

Join the "Dealing with Extreme Heat" discussion on AZPN forum -- tips for humans too!


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