A parked car can quickly become deadly for a dog shut inside.

Consider: 

• A car’s interior can rise to 120° or higher within minutes, even with the windows partly opened on a cloudy day.
• Dogs (and cats) cool themselves by panting and releasing heat through their paws. With only hot air to breathe and a hot interior it makes it impossible for a pet to cool themselves.
• A body temperature of just 107° may cause brain damage or death from heatstroke.
• Signs of Heat Stress include: heavy panting, glazed eyes, vomiting, listlessness or lack of coordination.
• Your dog will be more comfortable left at home.

Heatstroke symptoms include:

• Exaggerated panting ( or sudden stoppingof panting)
• rapid or erratic pulse
• salivation
• anxious or staring expression
• weakness of muscle tremors
• lack of coordination
• tongue and lips very red (may turn bluish)
• convulsions or vomiting
• collapse, coma and death

Emergency Treatment

• If your dog shows symptoms of heatstroke follow these instructions:
• Immediately move the animal to a cool shady place.
• Wet the dog with cool (not cold) water all over his body or immerse in tepid water.Gradually apply cooler water to lower his body temperature.
• Fan rapidly to promote evaporation.This process will help reduce the dog’s coretemperature.
• Do not apply ice.This constricts blood flow which will inhibit cooling.
• Allow the dog to drink some cool water
• Take the dog to a veterinarian immediately for further treatment. Veterinarians may apply supportive care such as intravenous fluids to rehydrate the animal and oxygen toprevent brain damage.  

Provided in Partnership by:
City of Bend Police
www.ci.bend.or.us
Humane Society of Central Oregon
541.382.3537
www.hsco.org