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Meow: Baby, it's hot in here
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Anonymous user Wed Jun 14, 2006 13:27:42 PDT
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1 response 0 comments It was a hot summer day. The lady opened her window a little, got out of the car, and left a little white poodle, wearing a rhinestone collar, peering after her as she hurried into the store.

A passer-by asked the lady, “Are you going to leave your adorable little dog in the car on such a hot day?” 

The lady was quite indignant, and replied, “I will only be gone a few minutes, she’ll be fine. Mind your own business!” 

The passerby waited in the parking lot, watching the little dog. In a few minutes, it began to pant. After five minutes, it was going from window to window, panting heavily, pressing its little nose against the hot glass, looking for its mistress. Soon the lady returned. By this time the little dog was frantically clawing at the windows, trying to escape the car that was now a scorching prison. 
  
Every year, pets and even children die in hot cars. The word for an animal overheating is “hyperthermia.” This happens when the body cannot rid itself of excess heat.

Normally, a body can raise its temperature in response to illness. Temporary, mild fevers are helpful in responding to disease.

However, heat stroke and heat exhaustion are quite different. Animals with heat exhaustion may behave normally because the temperature regulation mechanism is still operating and the body temperature is only slightly elevated. They may vomit and suffer muscle cramps and an increase in heart beat and respiration. Muscles become weak, and sometimes the pet loses consciousness and faints. This condition happens to animals that sweat and lose vital water and salts from the body.
  
Heat stroke is much more severe. Body temperature is very high and the body is unable to control it. Damage to cells occurs at 108 F degrees. Most of the damage occurs due to lack of oxygen.  When cells lack oxygen, organs begin to fail. Kidneys cannot get rid of urine; the liver cannot convert glucose for energy; and the intestines slough and bleed. The brain swells and the heart begins to fail. Many chemical imbalances occur that damage the muscles in the body. Many times the animal dies.
  
Dogs and cats most commonly experience hyperthermia by being left in hot cars. The inside of a car can reach deadly temperatures in just a few minutes. Leaving the pet in the car with the air conditioner running may keep things cool, but what if the car stops running for some reason?

Try sitting in a car, in  the sun, with the windows slightly open for 10 or 15 minutes. It quickly becomes unbearable.

While you are sitting there, think about your pet, crying, desperately pawing at the windows, hoping you will come back and rescue him from a certain, slow, burning death. It is kinder to leave your pet at home where there is no danger of death by hyperthermia.

Cherry K. Johnson is a doctor of veterinary medicine at Serenity Cat Hospital, 3150 Panama Lane.

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