As Orange was drawn into a heat wave this week, pet owners found some creative ways to keep their pets happy and cool.
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People filled up plastic shells and wading pools of water, for those without pet pools, water troughs and bathtubs sufficed.
Some pets also tucked into icy treats or in the case of Marvin the rabbit they got to cuddle up to an ice pack.
Some of the most fortunate pets were allowed to stretch out in airconditioning.
He knocks on the back door in the morning as soon as it starts warming up.
- Jane Sergeant
Among them was Norman the sheep who has his own pillow and place to sleep inside.
The 11-year-old pet Merino was raised from a newborn after he was abandoned by his mother and his owner Jane Sergeant said it's normal for him to come inside.
“He knocks on the back door in the morning as soon as it starts warming up,” she said.
“He's house trained so takes himself out when he needs to pee. He then knocks to come back in.
“He loves his pillows and if they aren't in exactly the right spot he glares at them until you fix them.”
Due to the soaring temperatures, the state Emergency Operations Controller is urging residents to monitor weather reports, follow health and safety advice and be mindful of animals and people who are vulnerable.
NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Jeff Loy said advice from the Bureau of Meteorology indicates temperatures are expected to remain hot this week.
“I cannot stress strongly enough to motorists that it’s not only an offence for children or pets to be left unattended in a vehicle, it can be deadly,” he said.
Livestock and pet owners are also being urged to ensure adequate clean water and shaded areas are always available.
Additionally, animals should never be left in confined, unventilated areas.
An alert by the RSPCA NSW said cats and dogs cannot respond to heat in the same way as humans do.
“We have sweat glands all over our bodies that help us regulate our temperature, but dogs and cats only have a few in their feet and around their noses,” the alert stated.
“Many animals rely on panting and external cooling to lose heat.
“Their long thick hair coats can also predispose them to heatstroke.”
As pets are not able to cool themselves down as easily, they should be left in a cool, well-ventilated and shaded environment with access to clean fresh drinking water.
What is heatstroke?
Is a state of hyperthermia (elevated core body temperature above the normal range) resulting in heat injury to tissues.
Heatstroke occurs when heat generation exceeds the body’s ability to lose heat.
Heatstroke is a very serious, life-threatening condition.
It can cause damage to a pet’s internal organs, sometimes to the point where they stop functioning and can be rapidly fatal. It requires urgent treatment.
All animals are susceptible to heatstroke so you need to make sure that you take active steps to prevent it.
How should you treat a pet with heatstroke?
- Apply or spray tepid/cool water onto their fur/skin, followed by fanning to maximise heat loss.
- Don’t use ice-cold water or ice as this may exacerbate the problem. Wetting down the area around your pet can also help.
- Take your pet to the nearest vet immediately.
Heatstroke is a life-threatening emergency, so even if your pet looks like they may be recovering or you just suspect they might have suffered heatstroke they should still always be checked by a vet.
Heatstroke can cause organ damage which might not appear straight away. Given the seriousness of this condition, it is better to be safe than sorry and have your pet checked out.
What are the signs of heatstroke?
Signs may vary between individuals, but commonly include:
- Relentless panting (increases as heatstroke progresses)
- Drooling, salivating
- Agitation, restlessness
- Very red or pale gums
- Bright red tongue
- Increased heart rate
- Breathing distress
- Vomiting, Diarrhoea (possibly with blood)
- Signs of mental confusion, delirium
- Dizziness, staggering
- Lethargy, weakness
- Muscle tremors
- Seizures
- Collapsing and lying down
- Little to no urine production
- Coma
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