Vets warn of increased number of pet heat injuries during summer heat

Recent weeks have seen an increase in the number of heat-related injuries to pets as temperatures around the country soar, and a veterinary company is warning people not to leave their pets in cars even for a short period of time.

“As extreme heat blankets large swaths of the globe, it’s important for pet owners to not forget about their four-legged furry friends,” Brooke Goldstein, a spokesperson for Bond Vet, which operates clinics in Boston, D.C., and New York, told the Herald.

“Bond Vet has seen an increased number of heatstroke cases over the past weeks. Heat stroke can be fatal for dogs, cats and other animals,” she said.

So far this year, 25 dogs have died following a heat injury from being left in a car. There have been at least seven times that many close calls, Dr. Camille Alander, a veterinarian with Bond Vet, told the Herald.

“There have been 175 reported rescues, though I suspect that number to be artificially decreased due to limited reporting from veterinary professionals,” she said.

Even a quick stop can turn dangerous fast, said Dr. Elizabeth Perkins, regional medical director of Bond Vet.

“Dogs should never be left in cars, even when the temperature outside is 70 degrees, the interior of the car can reach 90 degrees. When the temperature outside is 85 degrees, the interior of the car can reach 102 degrees in 10 minutes,” she said.

On hot days, Alander said, you should always make sure to monitor your pets for signs of heat injury.

“These include lethargy, extreme salivation, excessive panting, and/or extreme redness of the gums and tongue,” she said. “ Additional signs may include vomiting or diarrhea (sometimes containing blood), increased drinking, lack of urine production, disorientation, seizures or collapse.”

“If you recognize any of these and your pet has been exposed to warm weather, contact your nearest veterinarian immediately,” she said