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Heat + pets = deadly

  • Published
  • By Monte Miller
  • 375th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  The temperature inside a car during the height of summer can easily reach 120 degrees, which can be deadly for anyone or anything that is left inside.

Effects of heat on humans is well known and can have deadly consequences, but many people often forget that the summer heat, especially inside vehicles can kill pets in only 10 minutes.

"Dogs and cats have a normal body temperature of 102.5 degrees," said Army Spc. Margaret Wells, animal care specialist at the base veterinary clinic. "In extreme heat (like in a parked car) their temperature can rise to 105 degrees."

Specialist Wells explained the animals body temperatures can rise much faster than humans and they can suffer heat stroke and even death once their body temperature reaches 105 degrees.

"Ten minutes in a hot car can kill a dog," Specialist Wells said. "They can have a heat stoke and collapse, have seizures or even go into cardiac arrest. People should relate it to themselves. If you're hot, they're hotter."

Another danger for pets getting too hot is dehydration. Specialist Wells explained dogs do not sweat, but cool themselves by panting. Excessive panting causes them to dehydrate very quickly.

Also, once an animal suffers heat related damage, they will be more and more susceptible to similar injuries in the future that can lead to death without many of the early warning signs.

"Once an animal's body temperature reaches 105 degrees the brain is essentially being cooked," Specialist Wells said. "If a dog collapses because of the heat, they need immediate medical attention. If body temperatures rise much above 105 they can die."

The hot summer days and the toll they take on animals also plays a role in the use and training of the 375th Security Forces Squadron's military working dogs.

"If they are outside, working in the heat, they try to limit it to 10 minutes," Specialist Wells said. "Those dogs won't stop until they collapse, so they try not to work them on really hot days."

The size, weight, age, health and breed of a dog or cats are all important factors that can make them even more at risk of suffering a heat related injury or death.

"Climatization is another issue," Specialist Wells said. "Dogs and cats are designed to regulate their own body temperatures. People PCS here from colder climates and it may take their pets some time to adjust."

In addition to being deadly, leaving an animal or child in a car in the summer can send you to jail.

Master Sgt. Kerry Waldrip, 375th Security Forces Squadron operations NCO, said officers will not tolerate these actions.

"First, we will ticket any vehicle left running an unattended," Sergeant Waldrip said. "Leaving pets in and unattended vehicle can get the owner in trouble under Illinois State Code. If the act is determined to fall under 'aggravated cruelty' based on injuries and neglect; it is a Class 4 felony. 'Animal torture' is a Class 3 felony. For military members, command action is also a possibility."

These penalties do not only apply to pets but children on a more severe level.

"Leaving a child under the age of 16 in an unattended vehicle is a violation of Illinois Compiled Statutes," Sergeant Waldrip explained. "Consequences range from command action to Class A Misdemeanor to Class 1 Felony; again, the severity of charges will depend on injuries and level of neglect."