The Veterinary University Hanover Foundation appeals to animal owners: Please do not leave dogs in the car in the heat!
Hanover. While the temperatures rise, the risk of animals that are left in the car also grows. Because after just a few minutes the car can become a life -threatening heat trap. The veterinary university Hanover Foundation (Tiho) Appeal to all dog owners: Never leave your four -legged friend in the vehicle in the heat!
A short shopping, a quick walk to the parcel shop – even if the period appears so short, the car quickly heats up. Even at 20 degrees Celsius outside temperature, the interior of the vehicle can reach 46 degrees after an hour. At 30 degrees Celsius, this value is exceeded after half an hour. Temperatures that can quickly become life -threatening for dogs!
“Dogs are particularly quickly threatened by overheating in the car. They can only regulate their body temperature very limited,” explains Professor Dr. Sabine Kästner from the Tiho clinic for small animals. “Unlike humans, they only have sweat glands on the paws and regulate their body temperature almost exclusively by panting. The evaporation area is limited, so that cooling quickly reaches its limit – especially if the ambient air does not circulate, which is the case in a closed space like a car,” says the expert.
Danger from heat stroke
What many do not know: “The ability of the dog to cool off by panting is already impaired when the ambient temperature is over 28 degrees Celsius,” warns the veterinarian. The risk that the animals will suffer a heat stroke is therefore very high. The health consequences of overheating depend on the height of the body temperature and the duration: If a dog suffers mild heat stress, which shows itself through tiredness and strong panting, and if it is cooled in time, the forecast is positive that the dog recovers and does not take any permanent damage. In the event of a fully pronounced heat stroke, on the other hand, it is quickly critical of the animal.
“We speak of a fully pronounced heat stroke at a body core temperature of over 41 degrees Celsius,” reports Kästner. “The animals show symptoms such as bloody vomiting and diarrhea, they have neurological failures such as cramps or unconsciousness.” If the body temperature rises to more than 43 degrees Celsius, the heat stroke usually ends fatally.
The risk of life for the dog is considerable in the event of a heat strike: despite intensive care treatment, mortality in affected animals is 50 to 60 percent.
Brachyzephal breeds – short -nasting dogs such as boobs and bulldogs – old animals as well as dogs with dense fur, overweight or previous illness are particularly at risk.
It is important to emphasize Kästner to emphasize that an overheated animal should be presented in a veterinary practice in any case – even if it has apparently recovered. Because a heat stroke can also have long -term health consequences, including chronic kidney diseases or functional restrictions on the muscles and nervous system. “If you find an overheated dog, it is important to bring the animal to a shady place as quickly as possible and to cool it. Climate system and ventilation also help on the way to the vet,” says the expert.
“But even more important: dogs – and all other animals – should never be left in the car in summer,” appeals Professor Kästner to all owners.
Important signs of overheating
- Very strong, shock -like panting with tense face.
- Strong salivation (increased drooling).
- Unrest, nervousness or on the contrary: apathy and lack of participation.
- Movement disorders such as tumbling or fluctuating.
- Glassy or rigid view.
- Reding of the mucous membranes and the inside of the ears.
– Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. - Panic behavior: The dog runs and tries to leave the car, scratches doors or windows.
- Consciousness disorders up to the unconsciousness.
- In severe cases: cramps, bluish discoloration of the mucous membranes (Cyanosis), Circular collapse.
First aid measures
- Remove the dog out of the hot car, bring to a cool, shady place.
- If available, pour on with cold or cool water, create draft.
- Offer water to drink, but do not enter (force).
- If you are unconscious: stretch the side, head and neck so that the airways remain free.
- In the event of a circular arrest: mouth-to-nose ventilation, cardiac pressure massage.
- Bring the dog to the vet and cool on the way with air conditioning or fan.