South West Illinois News

As late summer brings extreme heat and high humidity to Illinois, it poses a significant risk to both people and pets. The Humane Society has issued guidelines to help pet owners ensure the safety of their animals during these conditions.

One critical recommendation is never to leave pets in parked cars, even briefly or with the air conditioner running. According to the Humane Society, temperatures inside a vehicle can rise rapidly. On an 85-degree day, the temperature inside a car can reach 102 degrees within 10 minutes and soar to 120 degrees after 30 minutes, potentially causing irreversible organ damage or death.

Dr. Barbara Hodges, DVM, MBA, of the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association, emphasizes that high humidity exacerbates the dangers of high temperatures for pets. "High humidity amplifies the negative impact of high temperature on your pet—and in combination, these factors magnify the danger zone," she says. Dr. Hodges explains that while panting helps animals cool down by evaporating moisture from their lungs, high humidity impedes this process and can cause body temperatures to rise rapidly to dangerous levels.

Pet owners are advised to limit exercise on hot days and adjust activity intensity based on temperature. It is recommended to exercise pets early in the morning or late in the evening when it is cooler. Special care should be taken with pets having white-colored ears prone to skin cancer and short-nosed breeds that typically have breathing difficulties.

Ensuring ample shade and water for pets outdoors is also crucial. Fresh cold water should always be available, with ice added during heat waves if possible. Tree shade and tarps are preferred over doghouses as they allow better airflow.

Cooling measures such as DIY pupsicles for dogs or allowing them to play in sprinklers or small pools can help reduce their body temperature. Cooling wraps, vests, or mats soaked in cool water can provide relief for up to three days without becoming wet.

Pet owners should remain vigilant for signs of heatstroke which include heavy panting, glazed eyes, rapid heartbeat, difficulty breathing, excessive thirst, lethargy among others. Immediate actions include moving the pet into a cooler environment and applying ice packs or cold towels while offering small amounts of cool water before seeking veterinary care.

Pets at higher risk include those very old or young, overweight animals not accustomed to prolonged exercise and those with heart or respiratory diseases. Breeds like boxers pugs shih tzus among others with short muzzles face greater challenges in extreme heat conditions.

Following these steps will help keep pets safe during Illinois' end-of-summer heatwave.

___