Danger!  Hot Cars


 

When the temperature is in the high 70's and 80's outside, a parked car quickly becomes unbearably hot inside within minutes, even in the shade and even with the windows left open a few inches. If the car is parked in the sun, the inside temperature can quickly reach 160 degrees. Leaving the air conditioner on in an idling car isn't much help as it begins to labor and can shut down the engine. The dog could also knock the car into gear as he struggles to get out. As humane societies, law enforcement agencies, and local media constantly warn pet owners, in just 5 minutes, the temperature inside a car even with the windows cracked can reach 100 degrees or more. In just 10 minutes, the temperature inside a car can reach 120 degrees or more. The dog has a fur coat designed to retain heat, and he cannot sweat when he is overheated. As the inside temperature rises, the dog's body temperature has also risen, and he may have just minutes to live. If not rescued, he will suffer heatstroke, leading to collapse, brain damage, and an agonizing death. 


Danger signals of overheating, whether from being in a parked car or excessive exercise in heat are the following: Obvious distress, staggering, heavy panting to eventually struggling to breathe, excessive drooling, vomiting, glassy eyes, dark red to blue or purple gums and tongue, collapse, seizures, and coma.

If you see a dog alone in a parked car on a hot day, go into the store and ask the manager to page the owner. If this is unsuccessful, call the SPCA or the police to free the dog; if the dog is obviously in trouble and in danger of dying before they can arrive, then get the dog out. People are generally not cited for taking that action; instead, the owner will likely be cited for animal cruelty. Once freed, if the dog is suffering, apply the following first aid: Get him into the shade, pour cool (not cold) water on him or use cool towels to gradually lower body temperature. Give him cool water or ice cubes to lick. Take him to a veterinarian immediately for a thorough examination.

Another reason not to leave dogs unattended in locked cars, even with the windows rolled down, is that they can jump out to look for the owner and be lost or worse.  Also, dogs have been stolen even from locked cars. 

Generally, except for taking your dog on trips where he is welcome inside, do him a favor and leave him home. Never leave a dog alone in a parked car.

The above information is based on our rescue experiences but also on talking with our clinics. For more information on dogs in hot cars and on heatstroke, see http://www.paws.org/work/factsheet/dogfactsheets/hotcar.html and http://www.healthypet.com/Library/prevent-19.html and http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/PETTIPS/DogTip_HotCars.php.  For Texas Animal Cruelty Laws, see http://www.animal-law.org/statutes/texas.htm and http://www.cap4pets.org/CrueltyLaws.html