| |
Welcome to the new home of Lee's Summit Tribune. We are dedicated to providing you the most current and accurate news and events in Lee's Summit
|
|
Home
»
News
»
Dealing with Pets and Wildlife in the Heat
|
|
|
| | |
|
 | |  |
|
Dealing with Pets and Wildlife in the Heat
July 27, 2012
By George Harding,
Director Lee's Summit Animal Control Division
Like people, animals are sensitive to extremes in environmental conditions. The extended run of high temperatures along with the drought conditions we are experiencing can pose a real threat to pets and wild animals. The Animal Control Division of the Lee’s Summit Police Department would like to offer these tips on how to keep your pets safe:
Pets
• Never leave your pets in a parked vehicle for any reason. The temperature in a parked car will reach more than 120 degrees within just minutes; even with outside temperatures in the 70’s. Leaving the windows open a couple of inches does nothing to provide cooling for your pet. Pets left in vehicles are extremely susceptible to heat stroke. Heat stroke can be fatal if not promptly treated. If traveling with your pet, be sure to stop frequently at areas where your pet can get out of the vehicle with you.
• Provide lots of fresh, cool drinking water for your pet. Proper hydration is very important. Fresh water should be available for your pets at all times.
• It is best to keep your pets indoors during extremely high temperatures. When dogs are kept in outdoor kennels, the kennel must be well ventilated, have shelter from the elements and a secondary shade source. Water bowls that cannot tip over must also be provided, and refreshed frequently. Avoid leaving dogs in an outdoor kennel during the hottest part of the day, noon – 4:00PM.
• Avoid exercising dogs on hot days. If you must exercise your dog, do so during the early morning and late evening hours as the heat will be less intense. Avoid walking your dog on asphalt, concrete or sand as they may experience burns to their paws from the hot surface temperatures.
Sick, elderly, very young and overweight dogs are especially sensitive to temperature extremes. Avoid any prolonged exposure and be very alert to the signs of heat stress.
The signs of heat stress in dogs include, heavy panting, darkening and slight swelling of the tongue, gums may appear sticky and pale, a core temperature of 104 - 110 degrees. The dog may stagger, appear to be in a stupor or experience seizures. In extreme heat distress, bloody diarrhea, coma and death may occur. If you observe these signs in your dog, contact your veterinarian immediately.
If you see a pet in a parked vehicle or one that is left unattended and is exhibiting signs of heat stress, it is important to act swiftly in alerting the Police Department so an Animal Control Officer can respond and assist the pet in distress.
Wildlife
Although wildlife are better at coping with the extreme temperatures than pets, the drought conditions will cause wildlife to alter their behavior and movement patterns as they search for food and water. This change in behavior has a potential to bring wildlife into closer proximity to people as they visit yards searching for food and water sources they do not normally utilize. Common attractants for wildlife are gardens, bird feeders, outdoor pet food and water bowls, landscape plants and landscape water features.
Stopping wildlife from visiting your yard is not possible. To avoid conflicts, residents should remove, or limit the use of outdoor pet food containers. Pet water bowls should always be present when your pet is outside. However, to limit exposure to wildlife and possible contagious disease, pet water bowls should be regularly emptied and sanitized, and fresh water should be added daily. A second water bowl can be offered further away from the residence that wildlife can utilize. Although there is no guarantee they will use it, it may help reduce exposure to a minimum. Wild animals are less active during the hottest part of the day, becoming more active at dawn, dusk and overnight. If your landscape includes a water feature, you can avoid possible conflicts with wildlife by avoiding these areas during peak times of animal movement.
If you should inadvertently encounter a wild animal in your yard, your presence is typically enough to force the animal to move away. However, if a wild animal does not show signs of retreating when humans are present, or if the wild animal has entered or is trying to enter a residence, the Animal Control Department should be called at (816) 969-1640 so that an Animal Control Officer can check on, and possibly, remove the wild animal.
| |
 | |  |
| | |
|
Other Recent Articles from the News Category:
| |
| | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bill Morrow of Lee's Summit and Moose
|
|
|
