DOGS IN HOT CARS

It’s that time of year again. Dogs are being left in hot cars. It amazes me that people still think it’s safe and that leaving windows open makes a difference. It’s not, and it doesn’t. Period.

It can take mere minutes for a dog in a parked vehicle to die from heat stroke. MINUTES! I’m not talking 30, or even 20. Just a 10-minute stop could be all it takes for your dog to get heat stroke. Some dogs are at higher risk: brachycephalic dogs (the short-nosed/flat-faced breeds such as bulldogs, boxers, and pugs), dogs with thick coats, overweight dogs, puppies/seniors, and dogs with heart or respiratory problems.

Complications of heat stroke include irreversible brain damage, damage to the internal organs and the cardiovascular system, collapse, coma, and death. I’m sure your dog would much rather be left at home than subjected to such needless suffering.

Why does it take so little time for dogs to get heat stroke? Dogs can only sweat through the pads of their paws. They primarily cool themselves by panting (evaporation), but if the air they’re breathing is too hot, panting quickly stops working. They become dehydrated (too much evaporation from too much panting) and their temperature increases to dangerous levels. Dogs’ average normal temperature is 38.3°C (101°F). An increase in body temperature of less than 2°C (3°F) can be deadly.

You might think that leaving the A/C running is safe, but that’s not necessarily true. If the A/C stops working, it only takes about 5 minutes for the temperature inside the car to reach the same temperature as outside. Once that happens, the temperature increases at the same rapid rate as a car that didn’t have the A/C on. Accidents can and do happen, with fatal consequences. For example, in 2003, a Texas police dog was left in the patrol car with the A/C running. The engine overheated, causing hot air to be blown into the car instead of cold. That heroic canine officer died. Likewise, in North Carolina the next year, a couple lost 2 of their 3 dogs even though they left the dogs with bowls of water and ice. The 3rd dog barely survived.

Opening the windows DOES NOT HELP. Whether they’re cracked or wide open, the temperature inside the car rises at the same rate as if they’re closed and the same final temperature is reached. Studies, such as one in Pediatrics 2005; 116: e109-e112 by C McLaren, J Null and J Quinn (“Heat stress from enclosed vehicles: moderate ambient temperatures cause significant temperature rise in enclosed vehicles”) have proven this time and time again. This study (conducted in °F) showed that the temperature inside a car can increase by 20°F in just 10 minutes and 30°F in 20 minutes. Remember, it only takes a 3°F increase in body temperature to give your dog heat stroke. 80% of the car’s temperature increase occurs within the first 30 minutes.

You may think you’re only going to be 5 minutes, but what if there are long line-ups? What if you run into your chatty friend? What if you lose track of how long you’ve been shopping? Is your beloved animal’s life really worth that risk?

This table paints a clear picture of why experts say that once the outside temperature reaches 21°C/70°F, dogs should NEVER be left in a car. Personally, I won’t even risk that.

 

Estimated Vehicle Interior Air Temperature v. Elapsed Time
Elapsed time	Outside Air Temperature (F)
	70	75	80	85	90	95
0 minutes	70	75	80	85	90	95
10 minutes	89	94	99	104	109	114
20 minutes	99	104	109	114	119	124
30 minutes	104	109	114	119	124	129
40 minutes	108	113	118	123	128	133
50 minutes	111	116	121	126	131	136
60 minutes	113	118	123	128	133	138
> 1 hour	115	120	125	130	135	140

Jan Null, CCM; Department of Geosciences, San Francisco State University (found on the AVMA website)

SIGNS OF HEAT STROKE INCLUDE:

• Restlessness or agitation for no apparent reason (including whining and barking)
• Excessive panting OR the sudden stopping of panting
• Anxious or staring expression
• Weakness and muscle tremors
• Dark or bright red tongue and gums (which may become pale/grayish or bluish with time)
• Sticky or dry tongue and gums
• Drooling/salivation
• Frothing/foaming at the mouth
• Staggering/lack of coordination
• Seizures
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea (may be bloody)
• Rapid or erratic pulse
• Labored or difficult breathing
• Confusion; disorientation
• Lethargy, listlessness, dullness, stupor
• Dog lies down and is difficult to rouse
• Collapse and coma

If you suspect heat stroke, SEEK VETERINARY ATTENTION IMMEDIATELY! Even if the dog seems fine soon after, still seek veterinary attention because there could be unseen organ damage.

• Immediately get the animal out of the heat and into the shade or air-conditioning.
• Use cool water, not ice water, to wet the dog. (Very cold water will cause blood vessels to constrict, impeding cooling.)  Very small dogs might be safer with lukewarm water.
• Likewise, don’t apply ice because this can also constrict blood vessels and inhibit cooling.
• Allow the dog to drink some cool water. Cool, not cold.
• Place cool, wet cloths/towels on the bottoms of the feet and in the groin area. Don’t cover the body with wet cloths/towels because this can actually trap heat.
• Offer ice cubes for the animal to lick, but do not force ice or water on the animal.
• If you’re able to take the dog’s rectal temperature, stop the cooling efforts once their temperature reaches 103°F/39.4°C to prevent dropping the temperature too low and/or shock.

If you see a dog in a car, especially if that dog is showing signs of distress, there are several things you can do aside from asking the store to page the owner. Note the make, model, and colour of the car as well as the license plate. Call the Humane Society and/or the police with this information and the location of the vehicle in the parking lot. Keep an eye on the dog’s condition but stay back from the vehicle so you don’t upset it and cause it to overheat even faster. Unless you absolutely can’t, stick around to help the Humane Society’s driver or the police locate the vehicle. Every second counts. 

If you can’t stick around, notify store personnel and ask them to keep an eye out. Whatever you do, don’t be a passive bystander. Don’t assume somebody else is going to take care of the problem. That innocent, helpless life may depend on you, and only you.