As temperatures rise, so does the risk of heat-related injuries – including heat strokes in animals who have been left in a hot vehicle. A dog can die in as little as 20 minutes in a car parked in direct sun. Several studies have been conducted on the internal heating of automobiles under different conditions. In 85°F ambient temperature, the temperature inside a car, even with the windows left slightly open, can reach 102°F in 10 minutes and 120°F in 30 minutes. None of the studies found that lowering the windows had any significant effect on the inside temperature unless they were fully open.
Signs and Symptoms
Dogs with heat stress start to pant. Then they begin to salivate and their tongue hangs out of their mouth. When the rectal temperature reaches 105°F, there is loss of equilibrium, and uncontrolled hyperpyrexia (abnormally high fever) may occur. The dog becomes excited and starts to bark. At 109°F the dog becomes ataxic (loss of coordination) with possible abdominal swelling from aerophagia (excess air swallowing which goes to the stomach), and collapses. Cats have a limited ability to sweat and primarily sweat in their pads. The cat will first pant through its nose. When the rectal temperature reaches 103°F, the cat starts open-mouthed panting. The cat may groom to spread saliva for evaporation cooling.
Call 911
The high temperatures and humidity experienced in Georgia are dangerous to animals in vehicles. Animals that are left in vehicles where the temperatures are not controlled are at risk of severe medical complications, including organ failure and death. This meets the definition of Cruelty to Animals in the Cobb County Ordinance as well as Georgia State Law. If you see an animal that has been left in a vehicle and is exhibiting any of the signs and symptoms of a heat stroke, call 911 immediately. It could save their life.
Information provided by Cobb County’s Police Email Notification System (PENS)
