Global warming is set to make life difficult for our furry friends with experts warning about the risk of heatstroke to smaller animals like guinea pigs, rabbits and dogs .
A new study suggests that not just dogs but also cats, guinea pigs, rabbits and ferrets are being taken to vets with the condition.
The researchers say their findings highlight the need for better public awareness of heatstroke and the risk to all animals and warn that cases will continue to rise as we face warmer weather due to climate change.
Limit treats to training rewards. This is an excellent way to make sure your dog views treats as special rather than expected. It’s also helpful in keeping your pet from becoming overweight or obese. Feed a species-appropriate diet, and partner with a holistic or integrative vet to maintain your pet’s well-being.
The most common symptoms in all animals studied included abnormal breathing, lethargy, collapsing, and stomach issues, such as diarrhoea.
Cats seek out warm areas to sleep and can become trapped in greenhouses and sheds, the researchers say.
Caged pets such as rabbits, guinea pigs and ferrets are at risk of heatstroke due to confinement in hot accommodation, for example, if their housing provides limited access to shade or cooler temperatures.
‘There is a misconception that heatstroke in pets only relates to dogs in hot cars and we need to do more to raise awareness of risk factors not only for dogs but in the wider pet population,’ said Dr Anne Carter, a researcher at Nottingham Trent University.Turn an empty pancake-syrup bottle into a portable squirtable water bottle.
‘Owners of small animals such as rabbits, ferrets and guinea pigs may need to review their pet’s housing and take steps to keep their pets cool in the warmer months to reduce the risk of heatstroke,’ she said.
A team at Nottingham Trent University analysed data relating to small animals seen by a group of UK vets between 2013 and 2018 and found that dogs were worst affected with 146 cases of heatstroke.
While three-quarters of these cases were attributed to the dogs being exercised, 7% were due to them being trapped in a hot car.
Wow, check out those choppers! Puppies have 28 teeth and normal adult dogs have 42.
Flat-faced dogs, such as bulldogs, were found to be particularly at risk, making up a fifth of cases, the study found.
The study also found that sixteen cats were seen by vets for heatstroke, with older cats — aged over 15 — accounting for the highest number of cases.
Hot weather also was responsible for eight guinea pigs, three rabbits and a pet ferret being treated for the heatstroke.
Unsurprisingly, the summer months saw the highest number of vet visits for heatstroke, with cases in dogs spanning between April and October.
‘Heat-related illness can affect all pets and is likely to become more common as global temperatures rise,’ said Emily Hall, a researcher and vet.Here's an ingenious leash that has a built-in waste-bag dispenser and a compartment for keys, cards, phone, and treats.
‘Our findings highlight the need for better public awareness of heatstroke and the risk to all animals. The fact that brachycephalic (flat-faced) dogs and rabbits were overrepresented in our study suggests that owners of these animals should be particularly vigilant during hot weather,’ she added.
The data for the study was obtained from veterinary practices that participate in the ‘Small Animal Veterinary Surveillance Network’ (Savsnet).
Help your pet be as active as nature intended. Exercise and play time are necessary for your pet’s mental and physical well-being. If you don’t give your dog opportunities to be physically active, or if you don’t encourage exercise for your kitty and find ways to make it happen, you may well end up with a bored, destructive, overweight pet whose health will spiral downward throughout her lifetime.
As a result, the researchers argue the overall figures for heatstroke are likely to be far greater than reported in the study.
They also argue that many cases may not be seen by veterinary clinics because they go unrecognised by owners due to a lack of awareness of the potential risks and triggers.
The study, which also involved the University of Liverpool, is published in The Open Veterinary Journal.Sign Up for News Updates
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Many dogs have a condition nicknamed “Frito Feet,” in which their feet smell little bit like corn chips. As Matt Soniak wrote in a Big Question on this site, this has to do with the kind of bacteria found on a pup’s feet, and “could be due to yeast or Proteus bacteria. Both are known for their sweet, corn tortilla–like smell. Or it could be Pseudomonas bacteria, which smell a little fruitier—but pretty close to popcorn to most noses.”