The researchers say their findings highlight the need for better public awareness of heatstroke and the risk to all animals, and that cases will continue to rise with warmer weather because of the climate emergency.
(Picture: My Family Vet/Thomas Richmond)A Labrador almost didn’t make it after suffering from a potentially fatal case of heatstroke in cloudy conditions.We went from having a great time playing in the park to suffering from heatstroke in the space of a few minutes.
Belgian shepherd Hector was left to die in Richard Armstrong’s boot (Picture: RSPCA/SWNS)In a statement, the vet described Yardie as a ‘heatstroke emergency’ and said she suffered from hypothermia, muscle tremors, an irregular heart rate and a body temperature of 40.3C.
Kevin Thackrah, Petpals director, said: ‘We have now reviewed the correspondence and investigation carried out at the time and whilst we do not deny that Betty died while in the care of our Redcar franchise, it was not clear that this was entirely due to being left in the van for 20 minutes as the vehicle was air conditioned and still cool on the carers’ return to the vehicle after walking other dogs.
Summer is here, and with temperatures reaching all-time highs, it is critical that pet parents understand the dangers of heatstroke in dogs, including signs to look for, how to treat heat stroke or heat exhaustion in dogs and, most importantly, the best ways to prevent this emergency from happening.