In the past month, five area dogs have been found dead of heatstroke in their owners' cars. Given that a dog can die in 15 minutes inside a closed car, Missoula City-County Animal Control officers hope to head off further tragedies.
“We've had six calls about dogs in cars already today,” Animal Control dispatcher Barb Parker said early Monday afternoon. “I don't know if it's just we're not used to the heat, or we just haven't had this long of a heat wave. But we don't think about how incredibly hot it is for dogs.”
Wal-Mart parking lot on the Fourth of July. Parker said the owners dumped their dead pet on the asphalt and drove away. Unfortunately, the video didn't pick up the license plate, or the owners would have been cited for cruelty to animals.
Last week, a Missoula woman returned home from running errands and got distracted while getting her kids in the house. Her two elderly labs were left in the car, and died in less than 30 minutes.
The disaster that befell SuzAnne Miller's two trail dogs was much more personal.
Two Mondays ago, when it was 104 in the Bitterroot Valley, Jake and Keeto jumped in the crew-cab truck with her as she ran a client back to Missoula. They never got out.
“In my hurry to make sure I put everything away, I just didn't open the back door,” Miller said. “I know full well the dangers of heat. I got too focused on the next step of my life. By the time I recognized the dogs were in there, it was too late.”
Miller said on hot days, her dogs usually ran for shade as soon as she got home, so she didn't notice their absence for a couple of hours. Both were rescued dogs; they loved to run along with Miller's horses every day and clear grouse from the trail.
Neither woman was ticketed, Parker said, because they reported the incidents, which were determined to be accidental.
Dogs cool themselves by panting, and require cool air to breathe or their internal systems get no relief. Heatstroke is not a quiet death, typically involving seizures and other trauma before the end.
Dogs can be at risk any time the outside temperature gets above 100, but cars pose an even greater danger. The greenhouse effect inside a closed car can quickly spike the temperature to 115 or more. That can kill a dog within 15 minutes, depending on its age and condition.
Other pets may be at risk when the mercury rises. Cats are somewhat better than dogs at self-cooling, and are less frequent car occupants. But they need shade and fresh water just as much. Cats sweat through their paws, so having a cool place to stand is important to them.
Birds and goldfish may also succumb in closed, hot houses unless they get relief. Parker recommended dropping ice cubes in their water or aquarium if the temperatures get too uncomfortable.
If a dog or cat appears overcome by the heat, Parker recommended wetting its coat with water. In extreme cases, applying alcohol to the coat or to a cat's footpads may also help. Alcohol conducts heat faster than water.
It's not a good idea to make a heatstroked animal drink. The animal may go into seizures or vomit.
Preventing the problem is easier than treating it. Dogs and cats will double their water consumption on hot days, so owners should put out larger water bowls and ensure they're frequently filled. A fan in the house can also help.
“We think it's so fun for dogs to go in the car, but only if we're headed to the swimming hole or home,” Parker said. “Pet owners need to take this very seriously.”
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