Hot time! Summer in the City.

There are two debilitating and life threatening ailments to which our pets are susceptible during the heat and humidity of summer - dehydration and overheating.

Delivery of water combined with body cooling are essential first aid treatments for any dehydrated and/or over-heated animal. But how do we know if our pet is dehydrated or over-heated?

Body Temperature

A normal body temperature for cats falls within the range of 99.5°F to 102.5°F or approximately 38°C to 39.2°C., while the normal body temperature for a dog starts slightly higher at 101°F to 102.5°F. (37.2°C. to 39.2°C.). Normal body temperature for a horse is 99°F to 101°F or 37.2°C. to 38.3°C.. A temperature higher than that, may indicate an infection. However, a healthy horse's temperature can vary by 3 degrees depending on environmental factors. Horses tend to have higher temperatures in warm weather and during/after exercise, stress or excitement.

Heart Rate

A cat's heart rate is normally between 140 and 220 bpm, with a relaxed cat measuring on the low end. A normal heart rate for dogs is between 60 and 140 beats per minute. To determine your cat or dog's heart rate, put your hand to his chest and count how many pulses you feel in 15 seconds, then multiply by 4 to get the number of beats per minute. A horse's resting heart averages 36 to 42 beats per minute. When your horse is resting, try to count the pulse for 60 seconds. If he's restless, try 30 seconds and double the amount. A resting heart rate higher than 60 might indicate dehydration.

Respiration Rate

A normal cat takes between 20 to 30 breaths per minute, with a relaxed cat measuring on the lower end of the scale. Dogs at rest have a normal respiration rate of 10 to 35 breaths per minute. The average dog at rest takes 24 breaths per minute. A dehydrated horse will take frequent, shallow breaths as his body tries to shuttle resources from one system to another. A typical normal breathing rate is between 8 and 12 breaths per minute for a horse.

Test the Gums

Checking the gums on cats, dogs and horses all relies on watching the capillary refill time. To do this, with the tip of your finger press gently on the gum near your pet's upper teeth. The skin will turn light pink or white as you press. When you release the pressure from your finger the color should return to normal very rapidly. If it takes longer than two seconds for the color to return to your pet's gums, dehydration is likely occurring.

Skin Elasticity

For cats and dogs pick up about an inch of skin over the shoulder area, gently twist the skin either clockwise or counterclockwise and release. If the skin returns to its original position immediately your pet is likely well hydrated. However, if the skin returns to its original position slowly then dehydration is likely occurring. To conduct the skin fold test on a horse, fold a section of skin on your animal's lower chest. In hydrated horses, the skin springs back into place quite quickly; if the skin stays up like a ridge or returns slowly to its regular shape, you should take immediate action to rehydrate your horse.

Look to Soft Tissue

All animals eyes and gums should appear moist and shiny. If the gums are excessively red or feel dry to the touch, or the eyes seem dry or sunken, it's a good indication that your pet is shuttling fluid to other body core activities to compensate for dehydration.

Coat Colour

Black or dark brown coloured dogs, cats and horses that have been exposed to full hot sun should be wiped down all over with a wet sponge or cloth.

Conversely, primarily white dogs and cats, particularly those with fine fur, such as Persians, have a real tendency to acquire sunburns and heatstroke - we found this out the hard way many years ago after having left our white Persian cross with a pet sitter. The week we were away saw soaring temperatures and blistering sun back at home. Our pet sitter not thinking that there was any problem with letting our cat out in such weather, did so, as was usual for us to do back then (the 1970s). When we returned from vacation we found our cat's usual light pink skin a watermelon red colour, soar to the touch and, we were told, she had been vomiting over the previous two days. It was an immediate trip to her veterinarian who pronounced a diagnosis of sunburn with heatstroke. After a few days stay in hospital followed by more days kept indoors and out of the sun and heat she returned to a happy, healthy feline. Sunburn and heatstroke are treatable by a veterinarian but quick action is necessary.

Basic Treatment

If you have determined that the animal is only dehydrated with no symptoms of over-heating present, give small drinks of water (with electrolytes, if available) at 5 to 10 minute intervals. Keep your pet quiet and safe. It is important for the animal to keep the water down, hence small drinks at short-term regular intervals. A lot of dehydrated animals refuse to drink; such as kittens. For a mild case you can syringe a solution of water, pedialyte, and a little salt into their mouths. Contact your veterinarian immediately for further follow up.

Dehydration accompanied by overheating must be treated with water, internally and externally. If your pet has become overheated as well as dehydrated, give sips of cool, but not icy, water at 5 to 10-minute intervals. Add Pedialite to the water if some is available. Pedialite can be purchased at most drug stores and some grocery stores in the childrens' food section.

Cover your pet with a wet towel or cloth, or wet down his or her fur with a sponge or cloth, concentrating on the head and underside. Your aim is to gradually reduce the body temperature of your pet to a normal range. Sudden soaking or too-cold a water temperature can cause shock, so be prudent, but be diligent. Keep the animal calm and quiet. As soon as you have begun the first aid contact your veterinarian immediately for further follow up. A complete recovery of your pet's lost electrolytes must be introduced via subcutaneous intravenous fluids.

Animals with a heavy fur coat, such as Maine Coon cats or Newfoundland dogs, don't necessarily even have to be outside to develop heat exhaustion - the first stage toward heat stroke. Our Maine Coon developed heat exhaustion quite unexpectedly during one particularly hot summer day. He is an indoor cat. Although we have central air conditioning, this particular day there was a high cool breeze outside in the morning so I had all of the windows open and the central air-conditioner off. By mid-afternoon the temperature in the house had risen to only 77°F but the humidity had settled in thick and sticky. That's when I noticed that our Maine Coon had literally flattened himself on a table in front of an open window and was panting hard with his mouth wide open. I suspected it was a heat related problem as his body felt hot to the touch even though the ambient temperature inside our home was only slightly unconformtable for us humans. I immediately called his veterinarian who advised wrapping him in cool wet towels and as soon as he was stablized enough to put into a hot car to get him in to his office for sub-Q fluids. He recovered after his treatment followed by a few days of cool temperatures in our home.

A significant lesson was learned through our Maine Coon and, now, with another one of our senior cats. We are finding that she is unable to tolerant humidity or temperatures that are above 76°F. She has not been in the best of health for several years and is on a number of medications. So, now we have a programmable thermostat to regulate the central air. It kicks in as soon as the temperature rises above 75°F and keeps the interior of our house at a steady 74°F or 75°F. On days when the air is cooler we leave the central fan running to draw the humidity out of the house.

If you carry a first aid kit in your car be sure to add a thermometer of the kind used for external human use. If you suspect your pet may be overheating place the thermometer in the area under your pet's front or back leg where it meets the body - the armpit or groin as it were - and hold the limb close to the body. The reading you obtain will not be 100% accurate but it can be used as an indicator of your pet's body temperature. Always pack a clean water bowl, bottles of water and some unflavored pedialite or other electrolyte solution.

Horses suffering from heat-related problems need to be identified quickly and treated aggressively. All horses, even those showing only minor evidence of heat stress, should be moved to a shady area and put in front of a fan. Remove bits and other tack as soon as possible. Apply cool water, either from a sponge or hose, to the hose's neck and body, paying particular attention to the large veins of the neck and thin-skinned areas in the groin. Water sprayed directly on the face and head usually does little good and further upsets a horse with heat-related neurologic impairment. Several pints of rubbing alcohol applied topically along the back and neck areas are effective in drawing heat out of the body. Cooling blankets, if available, should be used and changed frequently. Once the horse is stable, small amounts of cool, but not cold, water should be offered and contact your veterinarian immediately.

Have a safe and happy summer!