“We do understand the crucial nature of walking your dog, however please bear in mind that walking in high temperatures can cause serious and irreversible damage, and in some cases death,” the organisation said in a statement, according to Metro.
The dog in question died of heatstroke, aged just five. He was reportedly in good condition and had lived a healthy life. Even so, he died after soaring temperatures in Britain continued for five consecutive days.
The RSPCA gets hundreds of calls from troubled animal owners. Their advice is that you should not take your dog on a walk during the hottest time of the day, rather keep it to early mornings or late evenings.
Dogs can succumb to heatstroke when their body temperature reaches dangerously high levels. After all, they’re unable to cool down via sweating, as humans are. This can infamously occur when they’re left in warm cars, and so keeping them cool in a shaded spot is essential.
Warning signs
- Difficulty breathing
- Excessive drooling
- Fatigue
- Sticky or dry gums
- Hyperventilation
- Staggering or uncoordinated movement
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Seizures
What do do
If you suspect your dog is suffering from heatstroke, the best thing to do is take them to a shaded area and use a wet clot/towel to cool down their body, whilst at the same time calling a vet. It’s important that the water isn’t ice cold – fairly cold is enough to lower their body temperature safely. Continue to rub them with a wet towel until their breathing returns to normal.
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– The dog in the picture has no connection to the dog in the article. Photo credit: Wikipedia.