San Leandro, Calif. (KCBS) -- The searing heat has been a challenge for Bay Area residents to handle, but it has been deadly for some unfortunate pets who often have a more difficult time keeping cool.
Here are some tips to avoid heat related problems in your pets.
KCBS reporter Holly Quan says "Shortstop" an 8-pound toy fox terrier was one of the lucky ones. He could come to work at the San Leandro clinic where her owner, emergency vet technician Linda Laskey works. It was a tough weekend for Laskey who saw 15 pets die over the weekend from heat related problems .
In Fremont, 12 animals were hospitalized.
In Palo Alto a veterinary clinic reported similar problems of overheated animals.
"Darker animals have a harder time regulating their temperature (so do) hairier animals. So sometimes just cooling them down either with a spray bottle or putting a wet towel over them," helps said Laskey. Another idea is to wet a towel and let them sleep on it. Another idea is placing an ice pack under the dog bed.
There were a lot of rabbits and chinchillas brought into vet clinics over the weekend.
Freezing plastic bottles of water and putting them inside a rabbit cage or pen allows the animal to rub up against it.
Pet owners can wet the dog's paws too.
One of the best ways to determine if an animal is suffering hydration problems is to check their gums to see if they retain a healthy pink color.
(sam)
Print Story
DW.pageParams = {
siteId: '255'
};
DW.clear();
DW.trackClicks();
