Borderland vet reports heat-related dog death
At 10 p.m., the temperature in the Borderland can still be 100 degrees.
The summer heat can be dangerous not just for people, but also their pets. One Las Cruces vet has already reported a heat-related dog death.
So how hot is too hot to walk your dog? Experts suggest putting your hand on the asphalt. It if burns your hand if will probably burn your pets paws.
When it is this hot outside pet owners are urged to exercise their animals either early or late in the day. Especially if they are older.
It’s important to know the symptoms of overheating. According to the ASPCA, symptoms can include excessive panting of difficulty berating, increased heart and respiratory rate, drooling, mild weakness, seizures and an elevated body temperature of more than 104 degrees.
Karen Martinez is an animal care officer with City of El Paso Animal Services.
“Some pet owners, they just don’t know how hot the asphalt is and how hot the sun is actually. I mean they can take a run and be okay, but that doesn’t mean their dogs are. Their body temperature is way higher than human body temperature,” Martinez said.
Other tips include: making sure to provide plenty of fresh, clean water. Don’t let your dog linger on hot asphalt.Don’t leave pets unsupervised around a pool. And make sure to bring animals inside during the hottest part of the day.
If you do leave a pet outside— animal care officers say it’s a law in El Paso that owners must provide shelter, water food and shade.
Michele Anderson is a public information specialist with City of El Paso Animal Services. She warns pet owners not to leave their animals in a car.
“So these 110 degree days, it’s 130 in the car. So, when you leave your pets in the car they’re in, you know, in a 130 degree basically oven and they’re just kind of cooking in there, even for five minutes, it’s just way too long,” Anderson said.
Officials want to remind everyone if your animal dies from the heat you could be charged with animal cruelty.
If you see an animal in distress in a car or backyard, you are urged to call 311.
