Pet First Aid & Care

DANBURY ANIMAL WELFARE SOCIETY PART TWO

On Sunday, December 13^th, the Danbury Animal Welfare Society invited me to their 2^nd annual Champion Member Brunch. Champion members are those who donate $250 or more during the annual membership drive. Food was excellent and we sat through a wonderful, uplifting presentation on DAWS vision for the future as well as their annual update.

Through the community’s generous support as well as their sound financial practices, the shelter installed new kennel roofs, emergency exit lighting, new windows and doors and new exterior fencing. Among new capital improvements for 2010 include remodeling the interior to add a community meeting room. I am very excited about this since I will have a place to hold my pet first aid classes as well as other pet educational seminars.

They have provided continued education for their shelter manager. This keeps the shelter running at peak efficiency. They have added 65 new volunteers. They filled positions from office help to socialization and training of residents to clinic help and everything in between. No matter what your interest or skills are, there is a job waiting for you at the shelter.

This year the shelter adopted out more than 300 dogs, including 42 puppies. Big thanks go to the foster families who take in special needs and pregnant dogs. It also saw the adoption of 275 cats and kittens. They Trapped, Neutered and Returned 90 cats back to feral colonies, compared to 22 last year. They also performed 73 low-cost spay and neuters in the community.

DAWS vision for the future includes a new shelter by 2019, complete with an on-site medical clinic.

Their two biggest fundraisers for the year are the Puppy Love Ball set for February 20^th and the Annual Walk for the Animals set for September 26^th. The newest fundraiser is a 2010 calendar. They are $20 and make a great stocking stuffer for the animal lover in your life. All proceeds go directly to DAWS. You can contact them at www.daws.org  to buy tickets, make a donation or see adoptable dogs and cats. The direct link for the calendar is www.daws.org/calendar2010.html.

DAWS would like to remind everyone during the Holiday Season to save a life and adopt not shop.

To read part one go to www.groomwise.typepad.com/pet_first_aid_care/2009/05/danbury-animal-welfare-society.html.

Dehydration in Dogs and Cats

Dehydration is the loss of normal body fluids including water and electrolytes. The body’s cells are now deficient in the necessary water needed to perform vital functions. Dehydration can cause permanent kidney damage, heatstroke, shock as well as damage the circulatory system. Untreated dehydration can lead to death in a matter of hours.

There are three ways dehydration can occur. There is a reduced fluid intake, an increase in fluid losses or a combination of both.

1.    Reduced fluid intake.

a.    Their water source is unavailable or unclean.

b.   Stressful events and travel reduce your pet’s desire for water. Stressful events include holiday gatherings, moving and additions to the family.

c.    Dogs and cats require a diet that is 70% moisture. Most dry foods are between 8 and 12% moisture. If supplemented foods and water do not make up the other 60%, then your pet may be living in a state of dehydration. This continual dehydration damages the kidneys. Kidney failure is the number one cause of death in cats and the number two cause for dogs.

2.    Increased fluid losses.

a.    Overexertion and panting due to heat or exercise.

b.   Medications can cause your pet to urinate frequently.

c.    Illnesses, diarrhea, vomiting or fevers.

d.   Excessive drooling. These can a particular breed issue or an allergic reaction.

e.   Large wounds or burns.

f.     Recuperating pets need more fluids than normal.

g.    Kidney disease and diabetic pets are unable to retain fluids and they urinate frequently.

Young, older, immune-compromised, pregnant and nursing pets are more susceptible to dehydration. When signs of dehydration are apparent, it’s important to go to your vet immediately.

Signs of dehydration include:

1.    Skin loses elasticity. The “pinch test” is a quick way to check for dehydration. Pull up the skin like a tent and let it fall back down. It should return to its original position immediately. This is not an accurate test for obese pets as their skin is already stretched to capacity.

2.    Lethargic or depressed.

3.    Sunken eyes.

4.    Dry, tacky gums.

5.    Increased heart rate.

6.    Slow capillary refill time. Normal capillary refill time is two seconds.

7.    Tremors in back legs.

While physical findings can point to dehydration, it cannot determine the extent. A complete blood count, packed cell volume and total blood protein tests are needed to determine extent, cause and check for kidney damage. A complete biochemistry profile is recommended.

Dehydration is measured in percentages:

1.    Less than 5% is considered mild dehydration. The stretched skin will return to normal quickly. This is not an accurate test on obese pets.

2.    Between 6 and 9%. There is a noticeable delay in skin returning to normal position, eyes can be sunken and the gums dry. This range can cause significant health problems in cats.

3.    Between 10 and 12%. The skin does not return to normal, eyes are very sunken, pulse is weak and the heart rate is accelerated. This will cause significant health problems in dogs and can be fatal in cats.

4.    Between 12 and 15%. This is life threatening for dogs. They will be in shock and most likely unconscious.

5.    15% is death.

It does not take long for your pet to go from 5% to 15% and any delay in treatment can be fatal.

In mild cases of dehydration, as determined by your vet; you can give your pet fluids by mouth or into the cheek pouch with a syringe. You can use Smart Water of UNFLAVORED Pedialyte instead of water as they will help to replace lost electrolytes. Do not use flavored Pedialyte or Gatorade as they contain artificial sugars. In more serious cases of dehydration, the pet needs immediate veterinarian intervention and treatment. The vet will determine the proper rehydration dosage using IV fluids. This pet will need monitoring at the hospital. Your vet will also determine and address the cause leading to dehydration. It bears repeating, untreated dehydration can lead to death in a matter of hours.

There are steps to reduce your pet’s risk of dehydration. Provide fresh, clean water for them at all times. Replace their water with Smart Water or unflavored Pedialyte during stressful events or when traveling. Give water before and during any activities. Provide your pets with a moisture-rich diet. Remember, prevention is always better than treatment.

 

 

Happy's Hoodie

Happy was an elderly, long haired dachshund and client of Tracy Carmean and Toni Vernetti. Happy loved grooming, but when it came time to dry him he became frightened and agitated. He is not alone in this predicament. It happens to many pets. Some pets become so frightened of the HV dryers that it induces a seizure. This seizure is usually characterized by uncontrollable barking, peeing and or pooping. It broke Tracy’s and Toni’s heart to see Happy so unhappy. He was such a good boy. Surely there was something they could do to ease his pain as well as the pain of others in his situation.

They wrapped a towel around his head. (The Happy Wrap)It worked well, but it wouldn’t stay in place. In addition, it was too cumbersome to dry with one hand and hold the towel in place with the other. It was the start, though. Tracy and Toni spent countless hours on it. In the end they developed a stretchy band with absorbent properties and tested it in their shop for more than a year. Once again, Happy was a happy boy. This made Tracy and Toni very happy indeed. Tracy remembers “We want to thank Happy for his contribution to the creation of the Happy Hoodie. He has since gone over the Rainbow Bridge. Rest in peace my little friend. You are loved and missed.”

Why is it important to use the Hoodie? Preliminary studies done by Barbara Bird on decibel ratings of HV dryers indicate they can create air noise that exceeds 100db. OSHA has designated 90db as capable of causing hearing loss. Dogs and cats have far more sensitive hearing than we do. The Hoodie also protects the ear drums from force damage caused by HV dryers. I prefer using the Happy Hoodie when grooming cats instead of a face muzzle. Since I can see their eyes, I have a better handle on their stress level. When used as a snood, it also offers me better bite protection than the face muzzle. I personally use them on every pet in my salon. It has resulted in a calmer, less stressful working environment for all.

In order to get the best results, our lovely model Ricky will demonstrate for us.

1.    Start with a clean, unused Happy Hoodie.

2.    Place it over the head and past the ears.

3.    Pull the Hoodie back over the ears.

4.    Make sure the ear flaps are covering the ears.

5.    Adjust the width if necessary.

Because of Happy, the quality of many pets’ lives in the grooming environment has improved dramatically. Every time I use the Happy Hoodie, I will always think of that good boy and the two groomers who loved him.

Audrey Ulrich

One of our industry’s brightest flames has been extinguished. Audrey Ulrich, 34, along with her two year old, Rafael, perished in a car accident on October 27^th. She leaves behind her husband, Matt and a four month old baby, Xavier. She also leaves behind an entire industry. Our community is in mourning.

Her favorite quote was “Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.” (Roger Caras)That one line defined her approach to life. Her advocacy of dogs was present in all aspects of her life. From the way she and Matt operated The Barking Lot in Richland, Washington to her involvement with the Benton Franklin Humane Society; www.bfhs.org and Pet Over Population Prevention; wwwpopptricities.org.  Her passion, though, was the Tri-City Dog Park. As President of the Tri City Dog Park Society, she worked tirelessly in an effort to make it a reality.  Audrey’s dear friend, Chris Walling; recounts “One of the most remarkable things about Audrey was that her passion for life was reflected in so many ways. She loved dogs and their people and believed in her work as a profession rather than a job. She was an advocate for the canine world and the driving force behind establishing the first dogpark in the Tri-Cities, WA area. In her personal life, she was a lively and caring mother. She just enjoyed her boys, her husband and her friends. She was active in her church and community and was part of the team who developed the Alternative Gift Fair, where gift-givers donate to local, national and international non-profit organizations in the names of friends and family. Her passing leaves a hole in many hearts.”

Audrey was a member of Community Unitarian Universalist Church. She volunteered in many of their projects that helped people to regain their lives and dignity.

Audrey’s community involvement extended well beyond the Tri-Cities. She was a driving force in the pet grooming industry. Audrey was a featured speaker at national grooming educational seminars and was recognized with the honor of Highest Rated Speaker 2007. Jan Schoenstadt of Dyno-Mutt in Waban, MA recalls “I attended Audrey’s seminar on dog behavior in the salon at Hershey one year. It was the most helpful seminar I have attended to date. Thanks to her seminar, we now have a client who travels over an hour to our salon. We are the only ones who can bathe Linus without him injuring himself. This is a terrible loss for the grooming community, as well as future groomers who will not have the benefit of her sage advice. She will be missed.”

Audrey was a feature writer for Groomer to Groomer. GTG is a premiere trade publication.  Her column, PAWS-ATIVELY POSH, was a must read for all of us. Audrey made the trip to Hamden, CT, to do a feature story on Erin McLaughlin’s salon; The Little Shop of Howlers. Erin remembers “As soon as I picked her up at the train station, it was like I was meeting a friend I hadn’t seen in awhile. She was so easy to talk to and such a sweet personality. She spent a good part of the day at my shop and never once did I feel uncomfortable. She knew how to be in on the grooming, but not in the way. She was able to bring out the best in my salon, both through her words and her pictures. She seemed so down to earth and had a real heart for growth both in our industry and herself. We emailed back and forth several times since then and always her messages brought a smile. I always loved her signature at the bottom. I found it heartwarming and thought provoking. “Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.”  It’s such a tragedy to lose this light we found in Audrey. I only hope we take up her torch and never lose her passion.”

Audrey was always professional and ready to do what was needed. Sally Liddick, President of Barkleigh Productions Inc. worked closely with Audrey. “Audrey was the kind of person who “hit the ground running” and had a depth of enthusiasm for the industry that was contagious. Always willing to share her successes, she became a wealth of information for groomers and was a very popular speaker. But that wasn’t all. She had a thirst for new ideas which drove her to become a great writer, bringing the popular PAWS-ATIVELY POSH series of articles to Groomer To Groomer. When we would need a last minute speaker to fill in, Audrey could do it! And could usually be found in the audience gleaning nuggets of wisdom from other speakers. She would quickly trade hats and help where needed. A rare ability. Audrey will be missed. Not only by her family, who were a great support to her, but by those who knew her in the industry. We didn’t have her long enough. She had so much more to give.”

Audrey had always given freely of herself to help so many. Now her family needs help in the wake of this tragedy. Audrey’s family needs help to cover medical and funeral expenses as well as living expenses. Matt was also injured in the accident and cannot return to work at this time. A fund has been established for the needs of the Ulrich Family. Donations, made out to the Ulrich family, should be sent to the Bank of the West, 1045 George Washington Way, Richland,WA 99352.

All who met Audrey will remember her. Her spirit and giving nature touched all of us. Christein Sertzel, President and Founder of the Wisconsin Area Pet Professionals Inc sums it up best. “As we go through life, if we are fortunate, we meet certain people that make their everlasting impression on us. For me, Audrey was one of those people. An individual so kind, so full of life and passion and tenderness. I cannot help but feel grateful to have known her. Though my friendship with Audrey was so new, her soul and personality left a great and deep impression on me and her passing has left an equally great and deep sense of loss in my heart. I hope that her family knows all of the people she has touched and all of the wonderful ways she has lifted others up. Bless you Audrey and little Rafael.”

Audrey will be missed. We can only console ourselves that our loss is the other side of the Rainbow Bridges’ gain.

I would like to extend special thanks to Karla Snyder, for all of her efforts to keep the industry informed and updated.

Benny the Boxer

Too often the only press groomers receive is the negative kind. You know, the one where the headline blares or the announcer screams; ” Pet Dies at Local Shop. Groomer Negligent.” Well, thanks to Laurie Kay and Donna Stepanek of Biscuits and Bows in Palatine, Illinois, NBC Chicago had something nice to say.

Benny the Boxer is alive because of Laurie and Donna. Benny has cardiomyopathy and went into heart failure at their shop. He was fortunate because his groomers were trained in Pet CPR and First Aid.  They knew what to do and in five minutes Benny had a heart beat and was breathing again.

An article in the JAVMA (Journal of American Veterinary Medical Association) states that only 10% of dogs requiring CPR will walk out of a veterinary office if they have not received PRIOR PROPER CPR. They expect this percentage to increase as more people are properly trained in pet CPR.

It isn’t just CPR we need to know. We are more likely to use first aid. There are a host of issues particular in the grooming environment.

1.    Sudden Blunt Force Trauma. This occurs when a pet falls off a grooming table or you drop a pet after tripping on a cord or slipping on a wet floor.

2.    Heat Injuries/Heat Stroke/Burns. These injuries are a result of overexposure to hot dryers or exposure to hot clippers. In addition, burns can occur if a pet is given an opportunity to chew on cords or electrocuted because there are no GFI outlets around the tub.

3.    Neck Injuries/Strangulation. An unattended pet jumps off a grooming table or out of the tub while noosed.

4.    Cold Injuries. Overexposure to cool dryers can cause hypothermia.

5.    Dehydration. Groomer has not provided water for the pet.

6.    Bleeding Injuries. This is the most common injuries caused by scissors and clippers.

7.    Heart Failure. Stress, chewing on electrical cords, electrocution and pre-existing medical conditions can all stop a heart.

8.    Seizures. Stress, improperly stored chemicals and pre-existing medical conditions can induce a seizure.

9.    Allergic Reactions. Any product used on a pet can cause an allergic reaction.

10.   Choking. An inappropriate-sized treat or any treat given to a gulper can pose a choking hazard.

If any of these scenarios occurred, do you know what to do? It’s also important to encourage our clients to learn Pet First Aid and CPR. Would Benny’s parents have known what to do?

Precious lives are entrusted to us. Accidents can and do happen. Our responsibility as pet professionals includes proper and continual training. As more of us realize it’s importance, there will be more positive stories like Benny’s.

To find a pet first aid instructor in your area, visit www.pettech.net.

 

Have patience with me.

To all my readers:

I am working on a pet emergency preparedness plan and it has taken on a life of it's own. What was originally a 3 page blog has ballooned to over 9 pages. I have a great deal of work to do on organizing and fact finding. I promise it will be worth the wait.

4 hour Pet First Aid and CPR Seminar at HHBacker Trade Show in Chicago

On Friday, October 2nd from 9:30 to 2:30 we will be presenting the 4 hour Pet Tech Pet First Aid and CPR Seminar. Materials covered include Bleeding and Shock, Restraining and Muzzling, Primary Pet Assessment, Rescue Breathing, CPR, Fracture and Limb Injuries, Insect Bites and Stings, Snake Bite, Seizures, First Aid Kits, Emergency Preparedness Kits, Heat and Cold Injuries, Pet Vitals, Poisoning and Poisonous Substances, Choking and Snout to Tail Assessments.

The cost is $99 per person and you must register for the class. It is strictly limited to 50 people.

To register for the class go to www.hhbacker.com and click on the link for the Christmas 2009 trade show.

Pet Emergency Preparedness Kits

One of the many lessons we should have learned from Hurricane Katrina is that everyone needs an emergency preparedness plan that include their pets. Even though more than 8,000 animals were rescued, reunited or REHOMED, many families lost their rescued pets because they could not be identified and returned to them. A pet emergency preparedness kit is an integral part of that plan.

A pet emergency preparedness kit should be ready to grab and go. If faced with an emergency evacuation, you will not have the time to look for those items that are vital to your pet’s survival.  Check items with expiration dates regularly and rotate when necessary. A backpack or small duffle bag will work well as a kit. You should keep it with your first aid kit.

Your kit should include:

1.    Emergency contact card. The card should contain current phone numbers as well as an out of area contact. Phone lines and other means of communication can be affected by an emergency. If you become separated from your pets, your out of area contact may be the only way you are reunited with your loved ones.

2.    An extra set of collars and leashes. A well identified pet has a better chance of returning home. Contact information on the tags should be current and readable. Microchip and tattoo registries cannot help if you are not in their databases anymore. Keep the membership updated.

3.    Health Record. Your veterinarian will issue a health certificate upon request. It contains general information and vaccine history. Copies of diagnostic tests, results and prescription information are recommended for pets with chronic health conditions. It will allow your pet treatment with an unfamiliar veterinarian.

4.    A months’ supply of medications. This is a rotated item. Veterinary medications may be hard to come by in an emergency. After Hurricane Katrina, for example, vet hospital’s medical inventories were commandeered. That means their medical supplies and medications were used to treat people.  In ANY emergency situation, the protocol is “people over pets”. Certain medications, such as Insulin, need refrigeration. Cold bags are available at most outdoor stores and supermarkets.

5.    A laminated photo of you WITH your pets. This photo establishes ownership.

6.    Foot protection. If there is ground contamination, they will prevent absorption of toxic materials through your pet’s pads.

7.    A months’ supply of food. This is a rotated item and is particularly important if your pet is on a special diet. Like medications, pet food may be hard to come by in an emergency.

8.    Bottled Smart Water or unflavored Pedialyte. An evacuation or emergency is a very stressful event. Replacing lost electrolytes can prevent shock.

9.    Collapsible food and water dishes. They take up very little space.

10.   Sanitation and cleaning supplies. This includes waterless sanitizers, paper towels, and poop bags for dogs and a litter pan for cats. A Frisbee makes a good litter pan.

11.   Anything that has the “smell of home” on it. A toy, unwashed pillow or blanket. It will give your pet comfort.

If faced with an evacuation, take your pets with you. You cannot assume that you will be home in a few hours. Plan a route that includes pet-friendly evacuation locations. This could include boarding kennels, pet-friendly hotels and family members’ home outside your immediate area. Practice loading your pets into crates and your vehicle. You don’t want them frightened should the real deal happen. You can also start a buddy system with a trusted neighbor. If you are away from home, then your buddy can evacuate your pets.

The Boy Scouts said it best.” Always be prepared. “When natural and man-made disasters occur, our pets can’t prepare for themselves. We need to do it for them.

 

Note: United Animal Nations sells a Personal Animal Disaster Planning Handbook at their store. It can be ordered for $3 at www.uan.org/store.

Summer Safety Tips

The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) found that preventable accidents are the number one cause of death of pre-senior dogs and cats. The approaching summer will present its’ own set of challenges.

POOL

Pool chemicals are caustic and can cause burns; make sure to store them properly. In addition, pets need an easy exit from the pool. There are ramps readily available designed specifically for this purpose.

BARBEQUE GRILLS

    RECIPE FOR DISASTER

1.    Start with a hot, unattended grill.

2.    Mix in meat of your choice.

3.    Add the family dog.

Grills are very hot! Furthermore, cooked bones are not an appropriate treat. They can splinter causing intestinal damage as well as present a choking hazard. Likewise, corncobs cause the same problems. You should be aware of the seasoning used on the leftovers you give your pets. For example, onion is poisonous.

YARD AND OTHER OUTDOOR AREAS

Pesticide and fertilizer applications are poisonous to your pet; either by absorption or ingestion. They should not have access to treated areas. Additionally, pest traps use very yummy stuff as bait. Remember, what poisons the pest will also poison the pets. Topical pesticide treatments should be species appropriate. This is a serious issue for cats and small mammals.

Many commercially prepared types of mulch are chemically treated and can pose a health risk for your pet. Furthermore, you should not use cocoa mulch in pet areas.

Familiarize yourself with local wildlife and the dangers they present to your pets. This includes coyotes, bats, snakes, insects etc.

Monitored, appropriately-sized treats and toys will prevent a choking hazard.

Hot pavement and sand can burn pads. You can apply topical salves and ointments for protection. In addition, pets can sunburn. Make sure shade is always available. Preventing dehydration is as easy as always providing clean, fresh, cool water.

Thunderstorms and lightening are frightening to some pets. Keep them indoors at such times. Check your electronic fences after a thunderstorm. Lightening can short-circuit a fence rendering it useless.

CAR SAFETY

More injuries and fatalities occur in the interior rather than the exterior of the vehicle. We have all seen what a pebble can do to a windshield. Imagine the damage that pebble could do the soft corneal tissue of an eye. Keep your pets’ head in the car.

Pet restraints are widely available. In the event of an accident, an unrestrained pet can face or cause serious injuries. Airbags deploy at more than 200mph. A pet in the front seat risks having its’ tongue amputated by a deployed airbag. They can bleed out in 20 minutes. EMS protocol is “people over pets”. They are equipped and have the option to put down your pet if your pet will not allow access to you.

PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE YOUR PET UNATTENDED IN YOUR CAR FOR ANY REASON. It doesn’t matter if you leave the A/C on as it is a mechanical device. Mechanical devices are subject to breakdown. The interior temperature of a car in 78 degree weather can reach 150 degrees in 15 minutes. It doesn’t matter if it is parked in the shade, the color of the car or if the windows are open or closed. It doesn’t matter because those factors are not influenced by the suns’ shortwave radiation. Rather, the interior components of the vehicle such as seats and dashboard are heated. They give off the long-wave radiation that heats the interior of the car. This could result in heatstroke. In turn, this could result in your pets’ death.

Even though you have done your best to provide a safe environment for your pet, accidents can and do happen. The AAHA states that 25% more pets could have been saved if only one pet first aid technique was applied prior to veterinary treatment. Do you know what to do in an emergency? Do you know where the nearest animal emergency HOSPITAL is? Have you prepared yourself by taking a pet first aid class? Your pet would do it all for you.

My Dog Is Cool

A very preventable cause of death of pets is heatstroke. It occurs when owners leave their pets in the car for “just a few minutes”.  “People mean well by taking their pet along with them while they work, visit, shop or run errands. However, warm temperature can turn a car into a death trap, “said UAN President and CEO Nicole Forsyth.

It is for this reason that United Animal Nations (UAN) operates an educational website: www.MyDogIsCool.com. It is a valuable resource to spread the word on the dangers of leaving pets in cars.

The site features include:

1.    “It’s Hot” fliers to leave on car windshields.

2.    A weather forecasting tool. This allows people to enter their zip code and find out if it’s too hot to take your pet in the car.

3.    Free downloadable “Hot Weather Warning” posters to hang in store fronts.

San Francisco State University, Louisiana Medical Society, Stanford University and the Animal Protection Institute have all done separate studies and reached the same conclusion. It doesn’t matter if the windows are open. It doesn’t matter what the color of the car is. It doesn’t matter if you park in the shade. In temperatures as low as 72 degrees, the inside temperature of the car will rise 19 degrees in 10 minutes. In 20 minutes it will rise 29 degrees and so on. In as little as 15 minutes, the car can become deadly.

What are the principals behind vehicle warming?

The atmosphere and the windows of the car are transparent to the suns’ shortwave radiation. This is why it doesn’t matter if the windows are opened or closed. This shortwave radiation heats solid objects such as the dashboard and seats. These objects heat the adjacent air by conduction and convection. The objects give off longwave radiation which warms the trapped air in the vehicle.

Leaving the air conditioner on while your pets are waiting for you is not a good idea either.  For one, it is a mechanical device and mechanical devices are subject to breakdown. Instead of cooling the vehicle, it may warm it instead. Secondly, in your pets’ excitement, they may be all over your car. They could inadvertently turn it off.

Heatstroke begins when your pets’ body temperature surpasses 104 degrees. This happens when the temperature in their environment (car) becomes higher than their body temperature with little or no air circulation (car), high humidity (heavy panting) and close quarters (car). Signs include lethargy, heavy breathing and panting, bright red gums and tongue, vomiting and diarrhea.

Heatstroke can cause shock, respiratory distress, kidney failure, heart abnormalities among other complications. Damage can become irreversible once their body temperature reaches 106 degrees. Death follows.

What can be done if heatstroke occurs?

1.    Remove the pet from the hot environment!

2.    Turn on the A/C if possible.

3.    Lower the body temperature by wetting with cool water.

4.    Do not use cold water or ice water. It is counterproductive. It will shock the system and cause a thermal barrier. The pet will be unable to cool itself.

5.    Contact a veterinarian for instructions.

6.    Transport to veterinarian as soon as possible.

Every year every animal control officer has the same story to tell. One they are tired of telling. Please leave your pets home if you have to leave them in the car.