#1 A Stranger Helped Me Save This Squirrel After It Collapsed From Dehydration During The Heatwave. Now She's Part Of His Family
"Heatstroke is an extremely dangerous condition that develops when a dog gets too hot. It is an emergency so it’s very important for owners to know what to look for and what to do if they suspect their dog may be suffering from heatstroke," PDSA Vet Burke explained to Bored Panda.
"Normal body temperature for a dog is between 38.3-38.9°C, (100.4-102.2°F), this can rise a bit with exercise or stress. If your dog’s body temperature goes above 40.5°C (104°F) they are at risk of heatstroke, which can cause seizures, organ damage, internal bleeding, coma, and even death."
The vet noted that individual dogs have different abilities to cope with the heat. Factors like their breed, overall health, and how used they are to hotter temperatures can affect it, as can things like the humidity of the day. "While the risk of heatstroke may seem obvious when we’re in the middle of a heatwave, it’s essential that owners know how to spot the signs of heatstroke in their dog, as some may struggle at surprisingly low temperatures," she warned.
"Signs of heatstroke in pets include:
- Excessive panting or faster than normal breathing
- Stopping on walks or seeming to tire easily
- Confusion
- Bright red or pale gums
- Shaking
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Drooling
- Foaming at the mouth
- Having fits/seizures
- Falling unconscious"
#6 This Bear Beating The Heat In Burbank
According to Burke, heatstroke is more dangerous the longer it lasts. That's why it's vital to cool your pet down ASAP. "If you think your dog could have heatstroke, start cooling them immediately with cool water, before traveling to your vet, to give them the best chance of recovering," she said.
"To cool your pet effectively, move them into a cool space and gently pour cool water over their body, avoiding their nose and mouth. If they are able to drink, offer them fresh cool water, and keep pouring water onto them. Phone your vets straight away and follow their advice," the PDSA Vet said.
#7 There Was A Heatwave, So I Tried To Cool Her Down With Ice Cubes. Turned Her Into A Dino Instead
"On warm days, it’s always better to stay safe and not risk going out in the heat with your dog. Some top tips include:
- Never leave your pet in a car, caravan, conservatory, porch, or shed, especially on hot days.
- Make sure they always have access to lots of shelter and shade.
- Always make sure your pet has access to plenty of fresh cool water.
- Don’t walk dogs during the hottest part of the day – choose a time when it’s cooler, such as early morning or later in the evening, but if it’s particularly hot, skip the walk completely – missing one or two walks is much safer than risking it.
- Keep any walks to a short gentle stroll with lots of breaks and avoid heavy exercise like running and games (such as fetch)."
#10 Postal Worker Cooks Steak On Truck Dashboard To Showcase “Inhumane” Working Conditions During Extreme Heat
#12 Nice To Know There's One Place On My Body That I Didn't Sweat From During This Heatwave
PDSA Vet Burke added that it's vital for your dog in an emergency that you're comfortable knowing how to perform pet first aid. "PDSA has a free Pet First Aid guide, full of tips for pet owners including heatstroke advice, should the worst happen," Burke shared.
"If you’d like to help wildlife in a heatwave, simple actions, such as providing access to fresh, clean drinking and bathing water as well as some shade can make a huge difference," she added how everyone can help their local animals during extreme weather.
#15 A/C Stopped Working. Everyone Is Hot. Guess Who Has Set Up Shop In Front Of The Fans And Is Dramatically Melting?
It seems like every single year we keep hearing the same things about how this year’s been the hottest in a long, long time. This year’s heat waves that hit Europe and the United States have made the continents swelter and faint. Meanwhile, fires like the ones in Greece have been covered by news outlets around the world. This heat and fires pose a huge threat to people and animals.
According to Julie Arrighi, from the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Center, heat is “among the deadliest types of disaster.”
As reported by the BBC, extreme heat can be deadly, with over 61k people estimated to have lost their lives due to heat-related causes in Europe, in 2022. The elderly are especially vulnerable. Meanwhile, the heatwaves in July 2023, may have been “virtually impossible” without human-induced climate change, according to one scientific study.
As heatwaves seem to become more and more common, it becomes increasingly important that societies react accordingly. That means spreading awareness of how to take care of one’s health in extreme conditions, but it also means changing how cities are built. Using heat-resistant materials, having more green spaces, and providing more shade—these are all ways to make cities more livable in hot zones in the future.
Dr. Andrew Carroll, a family physician from Arizona, previously walked Bored Panda through staying healthy in summer. "Living in Arizona, you learn how to live in the heat, “ he shared that the heatwave he experienced in 2021 saw temperatures rise to 117 degrees F in the afternoon (47 degrees C).
"Dizziness, headache, abdominal pain, fatigue, body aches can be the first signs of heat exhaustion. If it’s a hot day and you start seeing these signs, get into air conditioning and start drinking fluids with electrolytes (PediaLyte, Gatorade, etc.)," Dr. Carroll shared with us during an earlier interview.
#20 An Amazing Guy Feeding Dogs In 45°C Temperature And During Extreme Heatwaves
