To enjoy the summer without suffering from the heat, you probably brought out the shorts, or even the fan or the fogger. But whether or not you follow you during your holidays, have you thought of your pet? He too feels the increase in temperatures ... but cannot always manifest it. Europe 1 takes stock of what you need to know to protect it.
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Why do animals react differently?
"Faced with the heat wave, pets do not manage to regulate their temperature well," explains Farah Kesri, veterinarian, first. "They are not doing very well against the heat and it is up to us to help them." How to explain this difference? "A dog almost does not sweat", points the specialist on Europe 1. "The only glands which produce sweat are located at the level of its pads, it perspires only of the legs. Imagine that you sweat only feet after a What’s certain is that it’s not going to be enough to dissipate the excess heat to cool them down. "
Still on the subject of dogs - cats "will tend more to fend for themselves", according to Farah Kesri -, "the method they usually use to regulate their temperature is to ventilate". "When you see a dog sticking out its tongue, it is to try to evacuate the hot and humid air and for cooler and drier air. It gives the impression that they are out of breath but it is their method for thermoregulation. "
What are the alarming signs?
If it's not abnormal to see a dog gasping, when should you be concerned? "The animal will hyperventilate by trying to breathe in fresh air, it will start to wander, its gaze a little fixed", describes Farah Kesri. Unlike a human, it is therefore not relevant to take the temperature of the dog "by hand": "When you touch his ears it is indeed hot, his nose will be a little dry, but it is not fairly precise, "sweeps the veterinarian. "Only the thermometer can tell you if the temperature is above 39.5 degrees, which is starting to be a little dangerous for him."
Particular vigilance is recommended for "dogs with a completely flat nose", such as bulldogs, Pekingese or boxers. "Particularly sensitive to hot weather, they may cause cardio-respiratory decompensation," warns Farah Kesri. "Their heart rate will accelerate and it is exhaustion: they can collapse suddenly." From the first worrying signs, the specialist therefore recommends not to hesitate to call the veterinary emergency. "Even a perfectly healthy animal can die in a few hours because of the hot weather," she warns.
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What precautions can we take?
In addition to this vigilance, the veterinarian reminds that you should never leave an animal alone in a car, even for a short race. "A dog can die in 20 minutes, even if the windows are left a little open. The temperature quickly becomes unbearable in a passenger compartment. It is the same risk if you leave it for a day in a mobile home, without air conditioning in the room. 'interior', she says.
Last advice: beware of sidewalks and bitumen. "The temperature on the ground easily rises to 60, 75 degrees: there is a risk of burns in the legs," says the veterinarian. "It is best to walk your dog in the shade or on the grass."