HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1992-07-22, Page 25THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JULY 22,1992. PAGE 25.
Don't let your best friend become a ‘hot dog’
SUSAN SWANEK
INFORMATION CO ORDINATOR
ONTARIO S.P.C.A.
Warm weather is here and with it
comes potentially dangerous
situations for your pet. One such
hazard involves leaving pets in
confined areas (such as a vehicle)
during this weather. Such an
incident occurred on May 10 when
an Ontario S.P.C.A. inspector
removed a poodle from a car which
had been parked at the same
location for a significant period of
time. The vehicle was in the direct
sun and the outside temperature
was 24 degrees Celsius. The dog
appeared lethargic and was
staggering. There was no shade, no
water was visible and one window
was slightly open. The inspector
had to break a window in order to
rescue the dog. He then gave the
animal water to drink and poured
water over the dog's body, to
reduce its elevated body temper
ature. The canine was immediately
transported to a veterinarian. At
this time (20 minutes later) the
dog's body temperature was 40.5
degrees Celsius; his body was
dehydrated. The veterinarian
administered medication and
intravenous fluids, immersed the
dog in a cold bath and provided
more drinking water. Criminal
charges are pending in this case.
The most important factor to
consider when providing care for
your pet at this time of the year, is
common sense. Imagine how
uncomfortable you would feel in a
hot, unventilated room or car, Or
tethered in the sun with no shade or
water. If you discover an animal
that is inside of a vehicle, and that
seems to be in need of care, please
contact the Ontario S.P.C.A., the
nearest humane society or the
police as soon as possible.
We, as humans, have the physical
ability to regulate our body
temperature by sweating. Dogs do
not sweat but rather diffuse heat by
panting, in which water is
evaporated from the tongue. This
method of cooling the body is less
efficient. A dog's normal body
temperature is 39 degrees Celsius.
A canine can withstand a body
temperature of 42 degrees Celsius
for only a short time before
MPP announces
grants for
community works
Huron MPP Paul Klopp
announced grants totalling $3,896
to support two community-based
projects.
The Huron County Historical
Society will prepare a historical
poster-size map of Huron County
with a grant of $3,080 and the
Seaforth Local Architectural
Conservancy Advisory Committee
(LACAC) will use $816 to host a
walking tour and play of the
community.
The grants are part of the
Reflections '92 program, initiated
by Ontario Culture and
Communications Minister Karen
Haslam, to support communities as
they plan, create and stage publicly
accessible arts or heritage projects
this year. A total of 226
community groups from across the
province will receive grants
totalling $727,810. Sixty per cent
of the grant recipients are first-time
- clients of the ministry.
"There is pride in our
communities for local history and
heritage," said Mr. Klopp. "These
project grants recognize the
uniqueness of life in Huron
County."
"Through the Reflections '92
program, we are encouraging local
artists and community members to
share their diverse ideas and
experiences," said Minister
Haslam. "Broad community
involvement is key to the nurturing
of culture, arts and heritage in
Ontario."
suffering irreparable brain damage
or even death.
Some dogs are more vulnerable
to heat stroke or heat exhaustion,
than others. For example, short
nosed breed, such as Boxers,
Pekingese and Bulldogs, cannot
endure a heated environment as
well as other breeds. Also dogs that
are overweight or not physically fit
are at a higher risk of heat stroke.
Durng warm weather, a dog
should be kept in a cool, well-
ventilated place. Do not leave the
animal in the direct sunlight.
Realize a shady area can quickly
turn into a sunny one. Ensure your
pet always has access to plenty of
fresh water, kept in a spillproof
container. If your dog is tethered,
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ensure the lead cannot tangle, thus
preventing the animal access to
shade and/or water. It is also
advisable to exercise your canine in
the cooler morning or evening
hours.
Symptoms of heat stroke include:
excessive panting, an increased
pulse rate, weakness, muscle
tremors, convulsions, vomiting,
rapid breathing, anxious or staring
expression, drooling saliva, and
tongue and lips may become bluish
in colour. If you suspect an anima!
is suffering from heat stroke,
immediate care is essential, as the
animal could become comatose or
even die within a very short period
of time. Place the animal in a cool
area with some drinking water, wet
(he body down and then
immediately get the dog to a veteri
narian. Minutes could make the
difference between life and death.
Always keep your veterinarian's
phone number, including an
emergency number, in an easily
accessible location.
Please keep your dog at home
during the warmer weather and do
not take your pel in the car unless
absolutely necessary. You may
think your pet will enjoy being
with you, but the consequences
could be devastating. Temperatures
inside a parked, poorly ventilated
car rapidly reach well over 40
degrees Celsius on a relatively mild
day during the summer, even if the
vehicle is parked in the shade.
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