Every year
dogs suffer and die when their guardians make the mistake of leaving them in a
parked car, even ‘just for a minute’. On a 25° C
(78° F) day, the temperature inside a parked car can soar to 38-48° C (100-120°
F) degrees in just 5 minutes, and on a 30° C (90° F) degree day, the interior
temperature can reach as high as 70° C (160° F) degrees in less than 10
minutes.
Parked Cars
Are Deathtraps for Dogs! Animals can
sustain brain damage or even die from heatstroke in just 15 minutes. Beating the heat is extra tough for dogs
because they can only cool themselves down by panting and by sweating through
their paw pads.
Watch for
heatstroke symptoms such as: Restlessness,
excessive thirst, thick saliva, heavy panting, lethargy, lack of appetite, dark
tongue, rapid heartbeat, fever, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, and lack of
coordination. If a dog shows any of
these symptoms, get him or her out of the heat, preferably into an
air-conditioned vehicle, and then to a veterinarian immediately.
If you are
unable to transport the dog yourself, take him or her into an air-conditioned
building if possible and call the BC SPCA Call Centre: 1-855-6BC-SPCA (1-855-622-7722);
Tell them it is an emergency! 