Every summer there are cases of dogs dying after being left locked in a car for ‘just a minute’ while their owners pop into a store or run an errand. This is a tragedy that should never occur.

Durban summers can be brutal but even when the temperature is a comfortable 22º, inside a parked car it can soar to 47º within an hour. Humans can sweat to regulate body temperature, but dogs can only cool themselves by panting. Those with thick fur or short skulls (brachycephalic breeds) are particularly susceptible to heatstroke; they can suffer brain damage or die from heatstroke in just 15 minutes.

Signs of heatstroke in dogs

In the early stages, dogs may be unusually thirsty and pant a lot. Without intervention, they may become too weak or exhausted to move, or may collapse during a walk in the heat. Look out for these warning signs:

• Excessive panting and drooling, often with very thick saliva
• Dizziness – your dog may not be able to walk properly, or he may collapse
• Vomiting and diarrhoea
• Muscle spasms or seizures
• Loss of consciousness

Left untreated, your dog could suffer organ damage and die. This can happen quite suddenly and without much warning, so you need to be aware of how your dog is coping in the heat of summer.

What to do if you suspect your dog has heatstroke

You’ll need to bring down your dog’s temperature and make sure he’s properly hydrated. First, remove him from the hot environment. If he’s unable to move, carry him to shady spot in the garden or take him inside, especially if you have air conditioning or cool tiled flooring.

Wet the dog’s coat with water from a bucket or hosepipe. If you have a fan, let it blow over the damp skin. Don’t plunge the dog into a bath of ice-cold water, which may result in shock or cause blood vessels to constrict too rapidly.

If he’s lying outside, you can also wet the ground around him, or have him lie on a wet towel. But don’t cover him with the towel, as this prevents heat from escaping.

Place his water bowl within easy reach and top up as often as necessary.

When to see the vet

If there’s no improvement, or the dog’s condition worsens, get him to a vet as soon as possible. Your dog may need intensive care and treatment with intravenous fluids, oxygen, nausea and diarrhoea meds, pain meds, cardiac meds or antibiotics to help him recover.

Other tips to keep your dog safe in summer

• Don’t walk your dog on hot cement, sand or tar.
• Opt for early morning or late afternoon walks.
• Apply sunblock to your dog’s ears and nose, especially if he has a white coat.
• Put an ice cube in your dog’s water bowl and be sure to top it up throughout the day.
• If your dog lives outside, provide a shady area.
• If your dog is struggling in the heat, hose him down with cool water.
• Never keep a dog in a garage or shed on a hot day.

What about cats? Can they also get heatstroke?

Although heatstroke is less common in cats, it is possible in very hot weather. If your cat is able to move freely from inside to outside the house, they will unerringly find the coolest spot, and stretch out instead of curling up to keep themselves cool.

However, if they are enclosed in a small, hot room, they may not be able to escape the heat. Older, pregnant or overweight cats, and those with chronic conditions, are more at risk.

Unlike dogs, cats don’t usually pant to cool themselves down. They cool themselves by licking their fur; as the saliva evaporates, it provides a cooling effect. Symptoms of heatstroke in cats are similar to those in dogs. Your cat may even pant, which is not normal behaviour.

Even though most cats dislike water, the best treatment is wetting their fur and offering plenty of water. If your cat doesn’t seem interested in drinking water, feed wet food rather than nibbles, or add water to their dry food.

As a pet owner, the best way of keeping your furbabies safe from the summer heat is to be aware of how heat may affect them, and take steps to ensure they are cool and comfortable.