Pets left in cars can overheat quickly

Many pet owners love to take their pets with them everywhere. On most occasions, these trips out offer the pet a wonderful chance to exercise and explore. Sometimes the good intentions of an owner are not really what is best for the pet, especially in the heat of summer.

Imagine this: you are running into a store just to grab a few things. You will be right back. You leave your dog in your car, but leave a window partially open. Within the five minutes you are gone, the inside of your parked car might reach temperatures as high as 160 degrees! Your dog waits for you, pushing his face as close to the open window as he can. He has no water to drink, no shade, and too little fresh air. He starts panting, but starts to overheat any way. You emerge from the store. Your dog was lucky this time.

Many owners use the excuse, "I'm just out of the car for a few minutes," to justify leaving a pet alone in a car. The truth is that your pet can be harmed within a few minutes of exposure to this heat. They can suffer from heatstroke and might even die.

If you are worried that your pet is overheated, look for these warning signs: heavy panting, glazed eyes, rapid pulse, dizziness, vomiting, a deep red or purple tongue. Remember that pets can't sweat like people do when they get hot . To cool themselves off they pant and drink extra water. If your pet is panting, it is a good first sign that she is hot.

If your pet has overheated, she must be cooled off immediately. You will need to lower her body temperature as quickly and safely as possible. Here's what you can do:

1. Get your pet into the shade and apply cool (not cold) water all over the body.

2. Apply ice packs or cold towels only to the pet's head, neck, and chest.

3. Let your pet drink a small amount of cool (not cold) water.

4. Most importantly, get your pet to the veterinarian right away for evaluation and added help. This last step could save your pet's life.

Even with the best of intentions, pet owners must realize the risk of overheating their pets in their cars. On hot days, the best decision is to leave your pet home, in a cool spot with plenty of water to drink.

Kathryn Kovach

East Brunswick