HEATSTROKE CAN KILL, AND FAST

Most pet owners realize that keeping pets in hot cars can kill them…but not many realize just how quickly the effects of heatstroke can set in for a dog or cat. Heatstroke is a condition animals begin to suffer gradually, but it accelerates quickly; it’s easy for early signs of heatstroke to go unrecognized, and for the pet to be in an emergency situation within mere minutes.

On warm days, a vehicle acts like an oven.  It holds the heat inside, and that heat becomes very intense even on days that don’t seem too warm. On an 85-degree day, for example, even with the windows open, the temperature inside a car can climb to 102 degrees in 10 minutes, and to 120 degrees in 30 minutes.  With the humidity we experience here on the shore, it may go even higher.  Because a dog’s normal body temperature is 101-102.5 degrees Fahrenheit, he can withstand a body temperature of 107-108 degrees for only a very short time before suffering irreparable brain damage…or death. (more…)

“We couldn’t get the dog to stop chewing the carpet, so we just chained him outside.  Now he’s barking and digging holes.”

                        “Our 8 year old cat has recently stopped using the litter pan…”

                                                                   “I am here to give you my puppy,  he keeps going to the bathroom in the house.”

Statements like these are things we hear often at Talbot Humane.  The thing is,with a little guidance, a visit to the veterinarian or trainer, and a little work on the part of the family many of the issues pet owners face can be corrected!

While our mission speaks to preventing pet overpopulation, preventing acts of cruelty and neglect and providing a safe haven for animals of our community, another important goal is pet retention. All too often pet owners do not reach out to their local shelters, trainers or veterinarians until the problem is either unmanageable or they simply no longer want to deal with the issues. Talbot Humane wishes to be a resource for pet owners having problems. In cooperation with our local veterinarians, trainers and other animal related resources in our area, our hope is to offer solutions to pet problems such as litter box issues, inappropriate barking, destructive behavior, socialization and so on. The ultimate goal- pets stay in the home and reduce the number of animals entering shelters in our area.

If you are a pet owner experiencing problems and are in need of guidance, please contact us today. Please email Dayniese Hurley at Dayniese@talbothumane.org or call (410)822-0107 and state that you are calling regarding the behavioral helpline. We want to help keep the 2 and 4 legged members of your family together!